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19 Jan 2007

half of singapore youths find homosexuality ''acceptable,'' says survey

In the city-state which has a thriving gay scene despite gay sex being outlawed, half of the 800 survey respondents aged 15-29 found homosexuality acceptable.

Exactly half of the 800 young people asked found homosexuality acceptable, according to a survey of young people aged 15-29. Conducted by students from Singapore Polytechnic's School of Business over two months, 42 per cent of the respondents who found homosexuality unacceptable although no further details are available.

Containing only one question on homosexuality, the survey respondents were asked if they agreed or disagreed with he statement, "I find homosexuality acceptable."

Giving their views on various aspects of life, 45 per cent of the respondents disapproved of premarital sex while 46 per cent found it acceptable. More than half of respondents survey said that they would migrate overseas if they had the option.

Lecturer Kwa Lay Ping, who oversaw the survey, was quoted in Today newspaper attributing the youths' liberal views to the use of the Internet.

"They're more liberal in their outlook and more accepting of alternative lifestyles, such as homosexuality, and sex before marriage."

"As they go on the Internet, they're a lot more exposed to more liberal programmes about alternative lifestyles, than youths were in the days before the Internet," said Ms Kwa.

A youth said in a television interview, "To youths, it's common knowledge that homosexuals exist in Singapore. In fact, if you ask any youth, he'll say that he knows at least one homosexual friend."

An earlier survey conducted by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports in 2001 however found that 71 per cent of the young people surveyed found homosexuality unacceptable.

Another survey conducted the same year by the government over a cross section of Singaporeans found that 29 per cent of Singaporeans under 30 years of age found homosexuality acceptable.

Alex Au of gay advocacy group People Like Us said of the recent findings: "This finding isn't coming out of the blue though radio and newspaper reports seem to make it so. It is part of a trend of increasing acceptance."

Referring to the Social Attitudes Survey in 2001 (SAS2001) conducted by the government, he told Fridae in an email: "The most authoritative evidence was the Social Attitudes Survey in 2001 (SAS2001), conducted by the government over a cross section of Singaporeans which found that 29 per cent of Singaporeans under 30 years of age found homosexuality acceptable. That was six years ago. That it has further increased shouldn't be any surprise."

Gay youths Fridae spoke to feel optimistic about the survey findings and for more youths to come out for their emotional well-being.

Zee, the 20-year-old editor of gay youth web site PLUME (plume.sg) told Fridae: "I'm inclined to think that this figure is slightly higher than 50 per cent. Just because the remaining 42 per cent surveyed said it was not acceptable doesn't mean all of them will reject gay people outright or think of it as 'wrong'."

"The results show that there is a larger acceptance of gay people; reflective of my personal experience. There are no hate crimes or outright discrimination though many straight guys in this age group use 'gay' to crack misogynistic and insensitive jokes. But when it comes to the real crunch, they're not actually homophobic; they don't condemn us to hell."

Nick of Queercast (www.queercast.blogspot.com) said: "It is encouraging that half of them find homosexuality acceptable. I think this is a good sign that with constant awareness we can change the mindsets of the youth to work towards a better future for us all."

Zee added: "I encourage tertiary students to come out more for their emotional well-being than as a political act. Closets are very cramped places and mothballs are not very fun to play with. Politically speaking, schools are a microcosm of society and the young will inherit the country in future, if our peers weave through campus life exposed to other gay students, they'll see living examples and eventually get used to it. Besides needing a support network, one of the biggest challenges to coming out, is always yourself. Fear, needing approval and validation is a big barrier to overcome; but once you do, you'll be invincible."

Singapore

Reader's Comments

Comment #1 was deleted by its author
2. 2007-01-19 21:15  
so guys, what say you ?
Is the Singapore glass half full or half empty ?

...and two more comments :

1. would someone please tell Ms Kwa, whoever she is, that on the internet, people are "exposed" to EVERYTHING, from the extremely conservative to the extremely "liberal". Her statement is simply wrong, and if it proves anything it's nothing but her own bigotted attitude.

2. it always strikes me that surveys like this, which are supposed to be conducted by students with a somewhat scientific approach, are plagued with inadequate methodology. When you ask a person (no matter what age) if he or she "finds homosexuality aceptable" it's not AT ALL as if you were asking them whether they find, say, gambling acceptable. The question about homosexuality obviously PUTS THEM AT RISK towards themselves and towards the person asking the question. Even if no one was directly asking them, ie if they just fill in a question form, the question is inevitably "loaded" and so, in turn, are the conclusions.
Incidentally I do wonder why such a survey is made by students from a "School of business". How much they know about sociology, behaviour patterns, and methods of survey remains to be found out...
Comment #3 was deleted by its author
4. 2007-01-19 22:13  
In my opinion, we need to define what is acceptable and unacceptable.

What are we accepting? Their life, culture or person?

Meaningless of just say I accept but i dont like them or i wont be with them.
5. 2007-01-19 23:52  
I find the report rather superficial.

One can say one thing, and do another. Actions speak louder than words.

Youths may think its acceptable simply because it may reflect badly upon them if they choose to reject homosexually openly.

And not to mention the degree to which each individual can tolerate is SO subjective.

If let's say their same-sex best friends turns out to be homosexual, would they be as accepting as well?

I feel that a person who truly accepts homosexuality is one who can listen to (and at the same time, understand) a homosexual talk about his/her dates, love life, sexual experiences (minus the details) and difficulties without feeling uneasy about it.
6. 2007-01-19 23:54  
I find the report rather superficial.

One can say one thing, and do another. Actions speak louder than words.

Youths may think its acceptable simply because it may reflect badly upon them if they choose to reject homosexually openly.

And not to mention the degree to which each individual can tolerate is SO subjective.

If let's say their same-sex best friends turns out to be homosexual, would they be as accepting as well?

I feel that a person who truly accepts homosexuality is one who can listen to (and at the same time, understand) a homosexual talk about his/her dates, love life, sexual experiences (minus the details) and difficulties without feeling uneasy about it.
7. 2007-01-20 03:28  
so what? no need to bother too much how genuine of a ppl feel. most important things are the ppl has changed, world changed.. we will slowly walk out from the darkness, isnt it a hope of everyone? dont critise for nothing.. ok?
8. 2007-01-20 04:02  
There is always a line between tolerance and acceptance.
9. 2007-01-20 08:43  
Given the permissive Sg society and the oppressive nature of the 'democratic' government, gaining such a level of 'acceptance' is surprising. Maybe a more refined question could have been used eg: Would you reject a friend or family member if they came out as gay? Then that would be a figure to trumpet widely.
10. 2007-01-20 09:46  
hey cheer up guys

even if it is a small step it is still one in the right direction..
Comment #11 was deleted by its author
12. 2007-01-20 17:07  
Why is it suprising? I have been educating my family, mother, father, brothers and sister . . . and now neices and nephews all my life. The more "normal" and upright you put yourself out there . . .the better the future will be for you and I.

Frankly, if your family and friends accept who you are . . . you have the fundermental duty to help them know you more and better. And introduce your friends to them too. Isn't that what family and friends are for? Relationship?!

Running to another country won't do you any good. . . You are a foreigner there. No matter what . . . they will never truly appreciate you when you bow down to a good fight for your personal right.

The West fought for their rights . . . .it is up to us now to fight for ours at home. Stop running. Have a back bone!
13. 2007-01-20 17:31  
that nice can other ppl in world to thing same
14. 2007-01-21 00:18  
yeah whats the big deal of homosexuality. Sg is way too conservative. no wonder so many gay couples wanna migrate overseas.
Comment #15 was deleted by its author
16. 2007-01-21 11:50  
The Sg government is really pathetic to adopt this "head in the sand" mentality when it comes to acknowledging homosexuality in Sg. If you ignore this community, you can't solve issues like rising incidence of HIV amongst MSM, recreational drug use amongst some gay men, and soon an ageing population with many gay geriatrics, etc. Having the Penal Code review not decriminalising sex between 2 consenting males, further stigmatises this already slighted community. The Sg government forgets that single gay men and women are mobile and have the ability to help Sg globalise. They have better spending power. But being marginalised for who they are is akin to racism and whatever prejudices that a person has for another. Gay people might eventually say, "I have had enough of this pseudo-modernised but sadly archaic place. I'm quitting."
17. 2007-01-21 13:41  
I agree with yveserwan's comments

42 per cent is an encouraging figure but this survey is rather meaningless with just one very vague question
18. 2007-01-22 01:06  
govt is of the old ... so its conservative ... not surprised at all
19. 2007-01-22 01:17  
What is the diff between str8 and gay? I cannot think of any beside str8 eating pussy and gay sucking cock.
20. 2007-01-22 11:17  
People do not care how much you accept it untill they know how much you care !!

Cheers,
-aLessio-
21. 2007-01-22 12:45  
Hi all,
These dificulties are said but the truth is that Spore gay men are amonst the most beautiful in the world and I have been around many countries already. Good luck in your stand for your rights!
22. 2007-01-22 23:48  
Its good news and I very much appreciate the question being asked, but the question was wrong. I wouldnt care about acceptance, I just want to live my life with equal rights and without people treating me like something stuck to their shoe. I dont seek friends, I just dont want enemies. I dont seek approval for my life, I just want to live it free. After all I dont find meat eaters 'acceptable', but I am compassionate to their way of life.

The question should have been:

"GAY PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS TO ME"

...or something similar.

23. 2007-01-23 14:58  
"What is the diff between str8 and gay?"

Well . . . the world at large is built for the "str8". Or cater to "str8" people. And that alone can diminish "gays".

Just check out the local news stand, magazines, movies, ladidah . . . and I have not even touch on policies and politics.

Is that enough reason alone . . . for wanting equal rights? U decide lah.
Comment #24 was deleted by its author
25. 2007-01-26 00:51  
I agree its an improvement but 'acceptable' only is just not acceptable. Its a step but you need a big hop and a jump to get anywhere. That means more SG boys taking a stand and not being invisible. Start off by telling your families.
26. 2007-01-29 11:04  
From the survey,it's gd to know that today's teens have a far more sophisticated attitude twds ppl who are different. Bt is it really an accurate reflection of 'ground-level' reality? From my observations, it's a sad no.

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