SINGAPORE - A section on sexuality on the website of the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has created a buzz online.
The webpage, titled FAQs On Sexuality, defines homosexuality, provides information for parents with homosexual children, and addresses the issue of discrimination based on sexual orientation.
HPB worked with professional counsellors in developing the list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), which was published without fanfare in November. The last few days have seen its content circulated widely online after a netizen posted it on Facebook.
It has ignited strong feelings from both sides of the fence.
Pastor Lawrence Khong of Faith Community Baptist Church, known for his strong stance against homosexuality, said the tone of the article "gives the impression that HPB condones same-sex relationships and promotes the homosexual practice as something normal".
He even penned a seven-page response to the FAQs, taking issue with several points made, including how HPB had directed readers to only one group, Oogachaga, which he said is "pro-LGBT". The group provides counselling for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning) individuals.
As of press time, HPB had edited parts of the article. The question "Where can my child find support?", which directed readers to Oogachaga, was deleted. HPB said it is reviewing its list of counsellors and would update the site in due time.
Responding to media queries, an HPB spokesman said visitors have "generally found the information useful and educational" from a public health perspective.
She reiterated that the family "remains the basic building block of society"."
The webpage, titled FAQs On Sexuality, defines homosexuality, provides information for parents with homosexual children, and addresses the issue of discrimination based on sexual orientation.
HPB worked with professional counsellors in developing the list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), which was published without fanfare in November. The last few days have seen its content circulated widely online after a netizen posted it on Facebook.
It has ignited strong feelings from both sides of the fence.
Pastor Lawrence Khong of Faith Community Baptist Church, known for his strong stance against homosexuality, said the tone of the article "gives the impression that HPB condones same-sex relationships and promotes the homosexual practice as something normal".
He even penned a seven-page response to the FAQs, taking issue with several points made, including how HPB had directed readers to only one group, Oogachaga, which he said is "pro-LGBT". The group provides counselling for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning) individuals.
As of press time, HPB had edited parts of the article. The question "Where can my child find support?", which directed readers to Oogachaga, was deleted. HPB said it is reviewing its list of counsellors and would update the site in due time.
Responding to media queries, an HPB spokesman said visitors have "generally found the information useful and educational" from a public health perspective.
She reiterated that the family "remains the basic building block of society"."
This is a very controversial
topic and I have no wish to offend anyone but to provide my points of
view.
I visited the FAQs on Sexuality at the HPB Website http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/heal...icle/HPB056342 and found:
1. what is homosexuality/bisexuality?
Ans: Homosexuality is the emotional, romantic and sexual attraction to someone of the same sex. ‘Gay’ is commonly used to describe men who are attracted to men, and ‘lesbian’ for women who are attracted to women. Bisexuality is the attraction to both sexes.
2. why is the child more attracted to someone of the same sex than someone of the opposition sex?
Ans: Studies show that human sexuality is not a simple dichotomy of homosexual and heterosexual. It’s a spectrum, ranging from homosexual to heterosexual, and through bisexuality. A person’s sense of sexual orientation is influenced by environmental, biological and sociological factors.
Exploration of one’s sexual orientation is also part of the adolescence phase and may continue to adulthood. And it’s common for young people going through puberty to be confused about their sexual orientation. Give them time to explore their feelings. There is no rush to come to a conclusion quickly.
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The answers provided ARE QUITE OPEN. I am NOT SURE they are HELPFUL to young kids and adults trying to understand if they are homo- and/or bi-sexuality.
It is almost like, it will evolve naturally?
I wonder if there are research that states HOW much is due to Biological, how much is due to Environmental and how much is due to Social factors?
For me, IF it is FIRSTLY determined by Biological factor, I can understand it. Then the Social factor (which is NORMALLY not approving can be worked on) and the Environmental factor will CHANGE too since the Social factor is changing to be more accepting and inclusive. Which means, IF it is GENETIC, there is nothing man can do to stop it! It is 'natural'!
For those who are QUESTIONING? What answers will they be fed?
For me, however, it is UNNATURAL for sure as same sex couples CANNOT have kids of their own. It is a FACT and there is no room for dispute.
Having said that, if we are talking about 'emotional attachment and physical sexual interaction', it is plausible as we have seen how human beings had engaged in ALL KINDS of sexual activities like orgies, man/men and man/men, woman/women and woman/women, anal sex, oral sex, sex with animals, sex with brutality, etc, etc.
The question then become: just because human beings had done it before means that it is ok to have SOME of these sexual experiences?
Of course at the end of the day, it is UP TO the consenting adults to engage in whatever form of sexual interaction they so pleased and in private. Furthermore, without trying to convince OTHERS non-practitioners that THEY should join them. Maybe that is the 'neutral ground' some of us can reach?
So, this homo- and bi-sexuality issue is still best left to the people involved to decide.
I visited the FAQs on Sexuality at the HPB Website http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/heal...icle/HPB056342 and found:
1. what is homosexuality/bisexuality?
Ans: Homosexuality is the emotional, romantic and sexual attraction to someone of the same sex. ‘Gay’ is commonly used to describe men who are attracted to men, and ‘lesbian’ for women who are attracted to women. Bisexuality is the attraction to both sexes.
2. why is the child more attracted to someone of the same sex than someone of the opposition sex?
Ans: Studies show that human sexuality is not a simple dichotomy of homosexual and heterosexual. It’s a spectrum, ranging from homosexual to heterosexual, and through bisexuality. A person’s sense of sexual orientation is influenced by environmental, biological and sociological factors.
Exploration of one’s sexual orientation is also part of the adolescence phase and may continue to adulthood. And it’s common for young people going through puberty to be confused about their sexual orientation. Give them time to explore their feelings. There is no rush to come to a conclusion quickly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The answers provided ARE QUITE OPEN. I am NOT SURE they are HELPFUL to young kids and adults trying to understand if they are homo- and/or bi-sexuality.
It is almost like, it will evolve naturally?
I wonder if there are research that states HOW much is due to Biological, how much is due to Environmental and how much is due to Social factors?
For me, IF it is FIRSTLY determined by Biological factor, I can understand it. Then the Social factor (which is NORMALLY not approving can be worked on) and the Environmental factor will CHANGE too since the Social factor is changing to be more accepting and inclusive. Which means, IF it is GENETIC, there is nothing man can do to stop it! It is 'natural'!
For those who are QUESTIONING? What answers will they be fed?
For me, however, it is UNNATURAL for sure as same sex couples CANNOT have kids of their own. It is a FACT and there is no room for dispute.
Having said that, if we are talking about 'emotional attachment and physical sexual interaction', it is plausible as we have seen how human beings had engaged in ALL KINDS of sexual activities like orgies, man/men and man/men, woman/women and woman/women, anal sex, oral sex, sex with animals, sex with brutality, etc, etc.
The question then become: just because human beings had done it before means that it is ok to have SOME of these sexual experiences?
Of course at the end of the day, it is UP TO the consenting adults to engage in whatever form of sexual interaction they so pleased and in private. Furthermore, without trying to convince OTHERS non-practitioners that THEY should join them. Maybe that is the 'neutral ground' some of us can reach?
So, this homo- and bi-sexuality issue is still best left to the people involved to decide.
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