Singapore Local Gay News [LGBT Related News] (Compiled)

[reflection]

I've checked and yes, it has been taken down. 

Supposingly due to external forces.

Something will be brewing in the next few days.

To those whom are concern, Otto is ok.

I also suspect something is brewing .... Remember the Pink Picnic at Botanical Garden which actually backfired to attract more ppl.

Just a feeling this drama will go awry.

[Guest Guest]

I am quite sure M O E has taken actions against Otto. And just like Alfian, no matter how many people complain against the unfair treatment, nothing could be done.

I hope Otto has prepared for the worst and made plans for his own career.

Just hope more ppl, especially who knows him, can give him your support when you see him

[reflection]

http://www.fridae.com/newsfeatures/article...2&viewarticle=1

singapore teacher removes coming out blog under ministry pressure

By Sylvia Tan

A Singapore teacher who posted a blog entry about his being gay on Saturday evening found himself having to remove it on Monday due to intense scrutiny and pressure from the Ministry of Education (MOE).

In his 2000-word open letter, Otto Fong, a well-known comic artist, playwright and science teacher at Raffles Institution (RI) - one of Singapore

[reflection]

His Blog which has been removed :

http://www.fridae.com/newsfeatures/article...pe=all&pageno=2

Otto Fong in RI

I am Otto Fong. I have been teaching Science in Raffles Institution for the last eight years.

Being a teacher has been the most rewarding part of my professional life thus far. My students continue to amaze me daily with their wit, maturity, independent thinking and leadership. It is very fulfilling that I am a part of an institution that moulds the future generation of Singapore

[tic-toc]

An absolutely marvellous, courageous and matured person. I want to know him in person!

[kiddo]

anyone got his picture??

[LupCheong]

http://sirfong.blogspot.com/

Another of his blog site with pics, do support him!

[GachiMuchi]

Here is a report on the 'Aftermath' of what happened.

http://www.fridae.com/newsfeatures/article...2&viewarticle=1

Here is the original post's link which Fridae managed to salvage

http://www.fridae.com/newsfeatures/article...pe=all&pageno=2

[Guest Guest]

MOE was aware of the protagonist

[Guest Guest]

Otto is my hero. Can you imagine being gay in S'pore is as good as being a Jew during the Nazi period? You got to hide what you are.

[HendryTan]

Anyone can post which bookshop carries Otto Fong's "Sir Fong" caricatures.

Let us support him in kind !

Auspicium Melioris Aevi

The Hope of a Better Age

[SunDevil]

Hendry, you can get it online by going here

And to Guest @ 3:15am,

Thanks for your insightful post regarding this matter, but please don't for a second assume that Mr. Otto Fong was acting on impulse. If you're to take the time to dissect his open letter and fully understand what he wrote, you'd realize that it's taken him decades to finally do this.

And we should at least be proud that he's made the choice to come out this way. Some people would rather have the boat rocked than to stay on it while pretending all is calm. What's the point of having a glass house when you can't even show others what's inside your house?

With all due respect, I really don't think tis' the time to judge his actions. He has made that choice to live his life by coming out, and who are we to tell him that it's wrong?

[Guest Guest]

He is so cute. I think im love with him liao...

[HendryTan]

Thanks SunDevil

I got my copy of Sir Fong2 at the "Ear Shot" book/music/film shop and read it over lunch. The bookshop is located in the "old" parliament building which is now an art house. It has a eatery and pub.

Sir Fong2: I paid $10.05 for the book. Two copies left.

Understand that some Popular Bookshop branches may have stock also.

Support Otto. Now where can I get his autograph

Cheers !

[Guest Guest]

I am in full admiration of this man. It really takes guts to do this when you are in teaching. I know, I am in it too and for the life of me, I will not reveal to my students the truth. My BF is in the profession too and feels likewise. There are many things to consider. It is well and good that govt may say that gays are accepted in the public service but I am really not too sure that they can truly accept gays in teaching.

There are many gays who are in the teaching profession. I am sure of that and some have even risen to higher management positions. Still, I feel that acceptance is a long distance away.

Otto, if you are reading this... hats off to you! I truly applaud your deed.

[oralb]

it takes tremendous courage to do what he did, esp in his job position.

kudos Otto

[Guest Guest]

MOE was aware of the protagonist

[jazz]

More updates here:

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/09/10/toc...etter/#more-474

[reflection]

http://singaporekopitok.blogspot.com/2007/...to-1-moe-0.html

Otto

[Guest Guest]

Haha, well done Otto. You have my support.

Hope you are reading this. My regards to your bf too.

hint: your bf is my schoolmate and I know you too, Otto. Guess, Guess.

you from GAY school ?????

[GachiMuchi]

Gay school? Is there a gay school in Singapore? Let me know ok.

[Guest Guest]

The way I see it otto coming out is a well thought move.He has more to gain than lose.He already has a 2nd career (play wright and cartoonist) and he is getting all the attention and publicity to launch his 2nd career to greater heights, after all how much can he earn from a teacher salary compare to writing play, directing it and publishing his cartoon book at least he will earn more pink money! and enjoy more freedom as a "coming out gay".GOOD MOVE OTTO :thumb:

[TopChinese]

Do you really think outing yourself will make you earn more money? I don't think the money is worth it given the following

- personal attacks/insults by intolerant gay-haters,

- potentially losing your job/career (since its legal to discriminate against gays as well as non-chinese in SG),

- exposing you and your loved ones to public scrutiny about who you sleep with,

- hurting your lover/family who may not tolerate the bullshit being flung at you

Please save your pink dollar and let me live my life in private. Do artistes need to be publicly gay to be popular? Gay rumours hurt.. look at how many MediaCorpse/theater artistes who go to FMP but then have to keep their cockhungry facade in public?

I only wish some day, people in this country will learn to put aside their petty, third world thinking and appreciate people for who they are. Maybe then I will have the courage, like Mr Fong, to not bother hiding my life from the rest of society.

[Guest Guest]

TC you must understand his perpective as a gay , he is going to move in the artiste circle and most of them are gay(no offense to other straight artiste).he is able to express his artistic juice amongst the actors as oppose to all the constraints set by MOE (I am sure with his moonlighting, play writing & cartoon books he must got the permisson from the ministry).Now if he is no more teaching he can pursue his other talent in the performancing art and one day who knows he can become another Eric khoo or Ang lee.Do you think MOE will let him become the principal of RI eh!

[chub77]

In today's My Paper (a free Chinese newspaper, in case some of u don't know ), reported that

Otto posted his letter on his blog only to let his colleagues and friends to read about it, as a way to confess himself. He had never give the blog address to his students, as a way to protect them. However, he discovered that one of his students actually somehow get the blog address. Therefore, he has no choice but to remove his blog immediately.

Neverthess, as usual, he was given warning by his school board for his action.

Above i try to translate and summarized as best as i can

[Guest artemov]

My two cents worth.

Frankly I don't think the letter is written just for his colleagues and friends. The format and the style of writing say otherwise. It is obviously intended for a much wider audience.

I think the whole thing will just die a quick death, which is what RI and MOE would have wanted.

[Tight Ass]

My two cents worth.

Frankly I don't think the letter is written just for his colleagues and friends. The format and the style of writing say otherwise. It is obviously intended for a much wider audience.

I think the whole thing will just die a quick death, which is what RI and MOE would have wanted.

Otto's stunt in this episode is commendable and I am sure many gays, including myself, will be greatly touched by him. On realistic note, whatever we did may be a moment of hero resulting in life time of sorrow. I think Otto has prepared to take such risk to sacrifice himself for PLUs at large in this respect. If he has no place in the world where he earned his living, I am sure he can easily find other opportunities awaiting him somewhere else. Most importantly, one must be happy and live without regrett for whatever we do with a clear conscience.

[Guest artemov]

... importantly, one must be happy and live without regrett for whatever we do with a clear conscience.

Yes, I agree with you totally. As far as possible for me, I try to live a life that is honest and true to myself, while at the same time I treat others around me with compassion and courtesy, unless I have a reason not to (religious fundies and rude singaporeans for example). I am definitely not a self-hating gay, and I am not ashamed to say that I am 98% bottom

Don't get me wrong. I respect and applaud Otto Fong for his guts and bravery, whatever his original intent. But I think he is in a better position to rock the boat. Not all of us are.

[chub77]

My two cents worth.

Frankly I don't think the letter is written just for his colleagues and friends. The format and the style of writing say otherwise. It is obviously intended for a much wider audience.

well... it is what it is written in the newspaper.. so whether it is really for wider audience or not.. only Otto knows the real purpose of the letter...

whatever it is... many of us knows that Otto has done the brave thing... it is just this conservative society that is around us...

[jazz]

you from GAY school ?????

Please do not generalise...

What Gay School are you blabbering about :swear:

[jazz]

The way I see it otto coming out is a well thought move.He has more to gain than lose.He already has a 2nd career (play wright and cartoonist) and he is getting all the attention and publicity to launch his 2nd career to greater heights, after all how much can he earn from a teacher salary compare to writing play, directing it and publishing his cartoon book at least he will earn more pink money! and enjoy more freedom as a "coming out gay".GOOD MOVE OTTO :thumb:

This is utter rubbish... :swear:

[Guest 7]

wonder whether it is true that a teacher really outed himself.

[erection day]

This news has even warranted a front page headline in today TNP- 'S'pore gay teacher outs himself on blog'.

The MOE says: 'The Ministry of Education does not condone any open espousal of homosexualilty by a teacher through any form. This is because teachers are in an unique position of authority and have influence over their students.

They often seen as role models by their students. In this case, MOE supports the school's handling of the case and advice to the teacher, which is consistent with the Ministry's stance.'

[Tight Ass]

This news has even warranted a front page headline in today TNP- 'S'pore gay teacher outs himself on blog'.

The MOE says: 'The Ministry of Education does not condone any open espousal of homosexualilty by a teacher through any form. This is because teachers are in an unique position of authority and have influence over their students.

They often seen as role models by their students. In this case, MOE supports the school's handling of the case and advice to the teacher, which is consistent with the Ministry's stance.'

MOE is trying to say gaymen can never be a good model to our society.

[Guest Guest]

The Shitty times' lunchtime paper today's cover page screamed:

S'pore gay teacher out himself over blog

Donot know the details inside, since I will noty waste a cent just to increase their circulation. Anyway, nothing good will be printed lah!

[Guest Guest]

Otto Fong WILL be gainfully employed by the western world if S'pore rejected him. Another talent wasted?

[maturemedium]

I dont buy n read TNP bcos its a gossip paper, full of ads and rubbish. 70c is a wate of money.

[TopChinese]

For those who don't want to waste 70 cents, here's what the trashy piece of junk New Paper had to say.

 

Gay teacher outs himself in blog posting. Then he removes it as...

    Blog not meant for his students

    HIS online declaration was straightforward - 'I'm gay.'

    By Liew Hanqing

   

    HIS online declaration was straightforward - 'I'm gay.'

    But it was no ordinary blog.

    It was written by a 38-year-old teacher at one of Singapore's top boys' schools.

    He claims it was only meant to be read by his colleagues and some friends.

    But somehow word spread and it got online forums buzzing.

    The school, however, is not over-reacting to the teacher's honest and sober admission.

    And this is why we are not naming him or his school.

    As more people learnt of it, the teacher removed the post - just two days after he wrote it on 8 Sep.

    In the entry, the teacher said he was inspired to come out of the closet and write openly about his sexuality after attending a forum on gay teachers and students.

    UNCOMFORTABLE

    In an e-mail statement to The New Paper, a spokesman for his school said it is 'mindful of the views of (the school's) stakeholders, especially parents who would not be comfortable with placing their children under the charge of a teacher who advocates homosexuality.'

    The spokesman confirmed that the school had spoken to the teacher concerned.

    'In this instance, (the teacher) intended the blog to be read only by his colleagues and friends.

    'He has clarified that he had no intention of advocating homosexuality to students. Thus, he did not give the link to any of his students.

    'However, now that he is aware that some students have been reading his blog, he has decided to take down the blog.'

    The reaction of the local Internet community has been mixed.

    Former students and other netizens have left messages on his blog and on other websites, many in support of his decision to go public about his sexual orientation.

    In the original blog post, the teacher recalled having felt attracted to classmates of the same sex from the time he was in Primary 6.

    He wrote: 'As a teenager, I was very quick to sense society's aversion towards the 'sissies' in my classes. I worked hard to distance myself from them.

    'While I was successful in modifying my outward behaviour, my sexual orientation remained unchanged.

    'My denial gnawed at me, and the suppression of my true self resulted in self-destructive behavior during my overseas university years.'

    He 'spent more than 20 years in the professional closet', keeping his sexual orientation under wraps to all but a 'handful' of colleagues.

    Explaining his decision to speak openly about his sexuality, the teacher wrote: 'Being in the closet, pretending to be straight, trimming our true selves to suit the whims and expectations of others, is just like being a human bonsai tree.'

    He also wrote: 'I am still a teacher.

    'My main purpose and joy is to teach our youngest citizens, the same ones who will be the leaders of our nation tomorrow.'

    NOT SEXUAL DEVIANT

    The teacher also said being gay did not make him a sexual deviant.

    'I'm not, as some people like to label gays, a paedophile, a child molester, a pervert or sexual deviant.'

    While some have voiced support for the teacher's online confession, others say he should have kept the information private.

    A student from another school, Jasper Chen, 18, said he admired the teacher's honesty and courage.

    'He risked losing his job in an attempt to transform the public's perception of gays in the teaching profession,' he said.

    Parents like Mrs Catherine Gasper, 48, however, were less enthusiastic about the teacher's candour.

    'He should keep such things private - I don't think it's our business to know about his personal life,' said Mrs Gasper, who has a son in Primary 5.

    'It (his sexual orientation) doesn't really matter, as long as he's a good teacher - but parents will likely become wary because they don't know enough about the gay community.

    'There's a lack of awareness that comes from a lack of contact with (gays), so people will tend to go along with their own biases and prejudices.'

    Added one secondary school teacher, who declined to be named: 'In this case, the teacher is in contact with boys who are still young and impressionable.

    'Their sexual preferences may still be somewhat unclear and in flux, so it's probably best that the teacher doesn't reveal too much, too soon.

    'There is a line that must be drawn between a person's public and personal life.'

I say screw you all bitches... being honest about yourself does not mean advocating a gay lifestyle just like loving pork does not mean I'll be shafting pork down my muslim friend's throat.

[Guest artemov]

What about those religious freaks infesting our school, talking about their freaking god and religion on the pretense of teaching sexuality? Or forcing our children to watch them slit a sheep's throat live in the name of racial harmony?

[Guest Guest]

Go easy on TNP lah. It might be junk to you but to others, it's essential read esp for their extensive sports coverage. There are some more news about this case in today's TNP, and since some of you not interested in the 'junk' papers like TNP, I'd just quote a small part. 'Students fo outed gay teacher" Most of us already knew. Some cried fould. But those who knew the gay teacher at the centre of the brouhaha were barely fazed. Students who spoke on condition of anonymity told TNP there was hardly any flap at the all-boys school, other than the initial surprise and a little embarrassed silence.'

[Guest Guest]

The way I see it otto coming out is a well thought move.He has more to gain than lose.He already has a 2nd career (play wright and cartoonist) and he is getting all the attention and publicity to launch his 2nd career to greater heights, after all how much can he earn from a teacher salary compare to writing play, directing it and publishing his cartoon book at least he will earn more pink money! and enjoy more freedom as a "coming out gay".GOOD MOVE OTTO :thumb:

The fact that you think being a playwright or a cartoonist is a bigger and higher paying career than teaching shows how ignorant you are. And thus your analysis.

[tic-toc]

I was flabbergasted by the media's attention to someone's outing. What is the big deal if someone declares he is homosexual? There are more important news to report that this.

Journalists and editors know what news will attract readers. The fact that they cover such banal topics proves that the majority in Singapore is indeed inmature and conservative. So sad....

[GachiMuchi]

In today's Straits Times (Sept 15) Insight S7 (pg 7) the Deputy Political Editor, Paul Jacob wrote "A teacher's disclosure and the issue is out in the open".

Interesting read, esp. the last few paragraphs.

[reflection]

In today's Straits Times (Sept 15) Insight S7 (pg 7) the Deputy Political Editor, Paul Jacob wrote "A teacher's disclosure and the issue is out in the open".

Interesting read, esp. the last few paragraphs.

Thanks Gachi, somehow I missed this part of ST, probably I was distracted by a goatee man sitting in front of me at the coffee shop.

Back to the ST article, indeed it boils downs to the issue of what Otto is trying to achieve out of his comfort zone.

"...Was it to demonstrate that there is no shame in being of a different sexual orientation? Or was it to show that there is no bar on what profession you can be in? Or that he believes that if senior politicians have become more accomodating with the presence and contributions that gays are making to society, then it is fine to out oneself? " - Paul Jacob ST 15/9/07

[reflection]

http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,141898,00.html?

GAY teachers here are split on whether they should speak publicly about their sexual orientation.

While some support one gay teacher's decision to come out on his blog, others disagree with what he did.

The latter group feels that he may have revealed too much, too soon.

However, his supporters think otherwise.

A 32-year-old gay former junior college (JC) teacher offered this argument: 'Heterosexual teachers are able to talk to their students about their personal lives. Many life lessons are transmitted to students through this form of bonding.

'When parents require gay teachers not to talk about their personal lives, it curtails their ability to connect with their students, and to be themselves in the classroom.'

He said he made the decision to come out to his students and colleagues at the JC he used to teach at because it was a 'matter of personal integrity'.

'This is who I am - I hope coming out to them helps them become more accepting of diversity,' he said.

Though he is aware of some parents' concerns over having an openly gay man teach their children, he says their worries are unfounded.

'The younger (these children) are exposed to these issues, the fewer hang-ups they may have when they grow up, and they may be more certain about who they really are,' he said.

He even said he felt teachers who were open about their sexual orientation were a valuable resource.

CONFUSION

He said: 'If the students have no positive role models to turn to, they may go through a period of confusion about their sexuality.

'By placing restrictions on gay teachers, the schools are effectively reducing the support that some teenagers need.'

Disagreeing, a gay teacher in his late 20s said he had reservations about coming out to his students, whom he feels are 'too young' to deal with suchissues.

Most of his students are 13 and 14 years old.

He said: 'It's unclear whether teens at that age can actually be swayed by a person in a position of authority like a teacher, but I'd prefer not to impose my personal values or beliefs on them, while they are still relatively immature.'

He added that he feels teaching is a profession which requires drawing a clear line between the personal and professional domains.

'There are still many misconceptions people have about gay people - that we are promiscuous, and that we are out to prey on children.

'Being too open at this point will only cause unnecessary anxiety within the school, and among parents.'

The teacher who outed himself on his blog had earlier attended a forum to discuss the concerns of gay teenagers in the Singapore education system.

Held last month, the forum drew a 110-strong crowd, including about 20 teachers.

A secondary school teacher in his 30s said he was aware of the forum, but chose not to attend because he 'did not want to out (him)self.'

He said: 'The school environment is not open for discussion about homosexuality, except in a derogatory manner.'

He has chosen to remain closeted to both his colleagues and students, because he says he does not want to jeopardise his career.

'Some associate gay people with paedophilia and other demeaning things. If colleagues and students know about my sexuality, they will simply label me,' he said.

SCHOOL CULTURE

He added that the decision to come out of the closet depended, to a large extent, on the school's culture and willingness to discuss issues like sexual orientation openly.

He said: 'The teacher who came out on his blog was probably able to do it because he felt confident enough in his working environment - that the school management would be understanding about it.'

He added, however, that other schools - such as the co-educational school he teaches in - are much more conservative.

'Some schools just aren't ready to handle the open discussion of issues like sexuality. In such schools, there is no value in coming out - it will only create a backlash,' he said.

[TopChinese]

I was flabbergasted by the media's attention to someone's outing. What is the big deal if someone declares he is homosexual? There are more important news to report that this.

Journalists and editors know what news will attract readers. The fact that they cover such banal topics proves that the majority in Singapore is indeed inmature and conservative. So sad....

It is news. Someone who declares his sexuality in the open. The issues involving a teacher being honest about his lifestyle. Tho there will be various debates about whether a teacher should disclose his personal life to his students, it is good to have these out in the open. Rather than covering your ears and waiting for this issue to go away.

Join in the debate. Examine how you feel about this matter and why. Consider the opposing view points and see if your opinion has changed after examination. Only then can we all improve ourselves as a thinking person.

[Guest Guest]

I was flabbergasted by the media's attention to someone's outing. What is the big deal if someone declares he is homosexual? There are more important news to report that this.

Journalists and editors know what news will attract readers. The fact that they cover such banal topics proves that the majority in Singapore is indeed inmature and conservative. So sad....

I believe the hole issue is a blessing in disguise for gay esp...for the student wanting to cum out.

[reflection]

I was flabbergasted by the media's attention to someone's outing.? What is the big deal if someone declares he is homosexual?? There are more important news to report that this.?

Journalists and editors know what news will attract readers. The fact that they cover such banal topics proves that the majority in Singapore is indeed inmature and conservative. So sad....

I believe the hole issue is a blessing in disguise for gay esp...for the student wanting to cum out.

I wonder if society is more tolerant of teenagers coming out or adults coming out ? That is a good point :thumb:

[reflection]

I thought this reply from a lesbian in Fridae was worth reading :

Post #46 darojobe says (Posted : 14 September 2007 0:10) :

when i was in secondary school 7+ years ago, i was put on a blacklist with other gay students. the discipline mistress had asked all student councillors to list down all the gay students that they know and she spread this list to the teachers.

the only person who told me about this list was an expatriate teacher from canada and she added that i had to be careful of what i do in the future.

as a result of this blacklist i was suddenly ignored by all my teachers and any questions about the subjects i had problems in were promptly answered in one or two words. i noticed my lit teacher will skip me when she goes down the row to ask questions, everytime.

as a result of this i got very depressed as i had no help and i was very alone in my studies for my o levels. best of all, i knew my lit teacher, was gay.

i wonder how she managed to do all that with a clear conscience, but im sure she has her own set of perceived 'right' reasons to justify her action of refusing to teach me.

these people didnt know they were ruining our life in secondary school, and potentially ruining our o level results. i never went back to my secondary school the moment i was officially out of it. its an all-girls school in the central region of sg.

i didnt have any similar situation like this once i reached tertiary level.

thank you otto, for not being one of these loathesome insecure robots.

[bearhunt]

MOE was aware of the protagonist