Guest guiest Posted April 8, 2019 Report Share Posted April 8, 2019 51 minutes ago, Guest peace said: The implementation of Shariah in Aceh was the only way to bring peace to Sumatra. The problem in Aceh is that it applies to Non Muslims too. Otherwise Aceh would have developped to a second Mindanao (Philippines). In Brunei you have an aging Sultan who thinks he needs to impose a strict Islam to keep the population not from straying away or being influenced by a Western lifestyle. The only thing he didn't recognise is that buying Gucci, Prada and LV or driving a Maserati is a Western lifestyle too.... In Brunei , its a case of Better to pretend to bury your head in the sand to the lifestyle and lavishness of the elites hor.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeanMature Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 On 4/7/2019 at 9:15 PM, Steve5380 said: I wish the US could find a reason to invade Brunei and squash that infamous sultan and his cronies like a bunch of cockroaches. It did this to Panama in 1989 and removed this drug lord dictator Noriega. It did it to Grenada in 1983 and restored democracy there. No problem to find a reason, Brunei has oil. Quote Don't read and response to guests' post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 7 minutes ago, LeanMature said: No problem to find a reason, Brunei has oil. Good one, bro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve5380 Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 2 minutes ago, LeanMature said: No problem to find a reason, Brunei has oil. You need to replace your cynicism with some learning of history. Nowhere could the US have taken more oil than from Iraq after it invaded it. But it did not take any oil. Today the US is the country with the largest oil production in the world. It does not need Brunei's oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeanMature Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 1 hour ago, Steve5380 said: You need to replace your cynicism with some learning of history. Nowhere could the US have taken more oil than from Iraq after it invaded it. But it did not take any oil. Today the US is the country with the largest oil production in the world. It does not need Brunei's oil. Oil to finance the invasion. US is no Santa Claus. Quote Don't read and response to guests' post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve5380 Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 21 minutes ago, LeanMature said: Oil to finance the invasion. US is no Santa Claus. What you mean? The US is not a Middle East Muslim country that finances its adventures and misdeeds with the profit from oil. None of the US military actions around the world, beneficial or damaging, have turned out any profit, and they are financed by us, the fools who have to pay taxes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 On 4/4/2019 at 10:50 PM, Guest Guest said: I fully support! My family and I will boycott Brunei and we will not travel to Brunei and boycott Brunei untill they get rid of that law! My family and I will also boycott the hotels and restaurants own by the sultan of brunei and they are: The Dorchester, London 45 Park Lane, London Coworth Park, UK The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles Le Meurice, Paris Hotel Plaza Athenee, Paris Hotel Eden, Rome Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan I strongly urge all BWers to stop your patronage of the above establishments with immediate effect and stop all travels to brunei! Why boycott those in places you and family will probably never visit? Boycott those few ones in Orchard Road instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Backdoor Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 Why criticise Brunei? Singapore has laws which throws people into jail for gay sex too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fab Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 2 hours ago, Guest Backdoor said: Why criticise Brunei? Singapore has laws which throws people into jail for gay sex too. I hope u do know the difference between throws into jail n stone to death. Not to mention it's a not actively enforced law in SG. Quote 鍾意就好，理佢男定女 never argue with the guests. let them bark all they want. 结缘不结怨 解怨不解缘 After I have said what I wanna say, I don't care what you say. 看穿不说穿 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 1 hour ago, fab said: I hope u do know the difference between throws into jail n stone to death. Not to mention it's a not actively enforced law in SG. I also say , one is capital punishment, death is irreversible and permanent, it does not rehabilitate and does not allow someone to turn over a new leaf, Jail is temporary and can still rehab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 13 hours ago, LeanMature said: No problem to find a reason, Brunei has oil. Exactly. As long as they have oil, everyone can boycott here, boycott there also no use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fab Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 Some of u r simply so dense. The purpose of boycotting is not to destroy them economically but to highlight to them that they r doing something unwholesome. Quote 鍾意就好，理佢男定女 never argue with the guests. let them bark all they want. 结缘不结怨 解怨不解缘 After I have said what I wanna say, I don't care what you say. 看穿不说穿 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve5380 Posted April 10, 2019 Report Share Posted April 10, 2019 On 4/8/2019 at 3:50 AM, Guest I'm a fan said: Uncanny and quite clever! Natural birth is easier for her because she has a bigger and more expandable "villa" after experiencing numerous childbirths and decades of vanilla sex with her husband. Why vanilla and not chocolate or strawberry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Foodie Posted April 11, 2019 Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 Cos chocolate only expands the ass hole whereas strawberry expands the mouth. Thought it was obvious? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan 28 Posted April 11, 2019 Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 I think she is crazy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve5380 Posted April 11, 2019 Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 4 hours ago, Dan 28 said: I think she is crazy All parents should be as friendly with their gay children as she is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Not many can think Posted April 11, 2019 Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 She is totally on board with her gay son. Lucky woman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSentai Posted April 13, 2019 Report Share Posted April 13, 2019 Human rights issues can no longer be the subject of referendums in Taiwan Quote 皆々様には、御機嫌麗しゅう、恐悦至極に存じ奉ります。 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve5380 Posted April 13, 2019 Report Share Posted April 13, 2019 This thread is about Pete Buttigieg, and I want to share a video of a speech he made that impressed me. He made it some days ago, and one sees in the news plenty of excerpts from this speech that includes important ideas and statements. The way Mayor Pete speaks reminds me a little of Obama, his pauses and his oratorical ability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alponsu Posted April 30, 2019 Report Share Posted April 30, 2019 Christina Chua with her partner Vivien-Loh-Chua who left Singapore where same sex relationship is a criminal offence to start a family in NZ. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/national-video/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503075&gal_cid=1503075&gallery_id=206239 I wonder if I will be brave enough to leave my aging parents behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve5380 Posted April 30, 2019 Report Share Posted April 30, 2019 10 minutes ago, Alponsu said: Christina Chua with her partner Vivien-Loh-Chua who left Singapore where same sex relationship is a criminal offence to start a family in NZ. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/national-video/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503075&gal_cid=1503075&gallery_id=206239 I wonder if I will be brave enough to leave my aging parents behind. It seems that lesbian relationships are not against the law in Singapore. And lesbians can declare to be a couple and live together like they are married. The only obstacle is the lack of same-sex marriage. The decision of leaving aging parents behind can be based on the behavior of the parents. IF they are supportive of the couple AND are willing to tell their acquaintances that they are pleased with the lesbian couple being a family, there is little reason to move away and they can all be in harmony. But if the parents blame them for being lesbians and are abhorred at the idea of them forming a family, then the lesbians should leave their parents behind without a second thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityhallguy Posted April 30, 2019 Report Share Posted April 30, 2019 3 hours ago, Alponsu said: Christina Chua with her partner Vivien-Loh-Chua who left Singapore where same sex relationship is a criminal offence to start a family in NZ. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/national-video/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503075&gal_cid=1503075&gallery_id=206239 I wonder if I will be brave enough to leave my aging parents behind. If you open to your families and close friends or friends who understand you, you will get lots of their support. Yes, not everybody can do it, but I just want to say I did and I make it. Of course, I pay some price by giving up my career in SG and friends and families behind, to start a new life in a new place. There are challenges I faced and still facing, is not easy but worth it or not? I can’t answer you yet but I can tell you that I really can feel the different between SG and NZ, a very acceptance LGBTQ country, for a gay man. Different is that people still treat you as a person like others even if you are gay. They willing to listen to your gay issues and problems if you need to talk about it. Unlike in Singapore, people respond is kind of typical and often tends to shunt away slowly if they know you are gay. In addition, NZ has many gay supportive organizations and all kiwis are very supportive to all these organizations, unlike Singapore. So there are more challenges waiting for them rather than just one that you said “left aging parents behind”. Different people have different challenges and I can share mine if you would like to. Alponsu 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted April 30, 2019 Report Share Posted April 30, 2019 3 hours ago, Alponsu said: Christina Chua with her partner Vivien-Loh-Chua who left Singapore where same sex relationship is a criminal offence to start a family in NZ. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/national-video/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503075&gal_cid=1503075&gallery_id=206239 I wonder if I will be brave enough to leave my aging parents behind. You can always look into going overseas when they pass on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2019 Report Share Posted April 30, 2019 NZ migration is only fir the eat kantang elites and the priveleged.only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest motives Posted April 30, 2019 Report Share Posted April 30, 2019 the headline of the video seems to be incorrect. Being Lesbian is not any criminal offence in Singapore. However, there is discrimination. But in my personal view, I m sure it is easier to survive in Singapore if you are a lesbian couple instead of being a gay couple. And society might even accept more that, two lesbians might have kids. Could always be the result of a divorce or "accident". They could have been ulterior motives to move to New Zealand. We don't always might know the whole story. Immigrating to an overseas country only after parents have passed away is a bit harsh. In my eyes it just depends how many other children the parents have and if there is someone in Singapore to support them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest7 Posted April 30, 2019 Report Share Posted April 30, 2019 The solution is to pay sky high taxes like the U.K., CANADA , FRANCE , And Scandinavian countries, then the populace can then DEMAND the state take care of them in the old age, pension and retirement villages, But becos we pay low taxes then cannot Tuar Sia demand for cradle to grave welfare. Quid pro quo ? 羊毛长在羊身上? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest 2 Posted April 30, 2019 Report Share Posted April 30, 2019 1 hour ago, Guest motives said: the headline of the video seems to be incorrect. Being Lesbian is not any criminal offence in Singapore. However, there is discrimination. But in my personal view, I m sure it is easier to survive in Singapore if you are a lesbian couple instead of being a gay couple. And society might even accept more that, two lesbians might have kids. Could always be the result of a divorce or "accident". They could have been ulterior motives to move to New Zealand. We don't always might know the whole story. Immigrating to an overseas country only after parents have passed away is a bit harsh. In my eyes it just depends how many other children the parents have and if there is someone in Singapore to support them. Stop judging the couple as if you know them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted April 30, 2019 Report Share Posted April 30, 2019 1 hour ago, Guest guest7 said: The solution is to pay sky high taxes like the U.K., CANADA , FRANCE , And Scandinavian countries, then the populace can then DEMAND the state take care of them in the old age, pension and retirement villages, But becos we pay low taxes then cannot Tuar Sia demand for cradle to grave welfare. Quid pro quo ? 羊毛长在羊身上? LOL.... you think the Singapore government will listen to you EVEN if you pay them high taxes? They are already the highest paid politicians in the entire world paid using all our tax money, and they aren't listening. What makes you think they will listen to you AFTER you pay them even more money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Loquacious Larry Laminator Posted May 1, 2019 Report Share Posted May 1, 2019 A couple of Trump supporters have been caught trying to create a fake Peter Buttiegieg (pronounced similar to Booty-Judge) scandal accusing him of raping younger gays. They were exposed when the man they tried to convince to lie to the media refused after texting with his parents and begging them to rescue him from the place of one of the Trump supporters. Even worse, they created fake social media profiles using the guy's name without his permission, and posted the fake story without his agreement. After his parents drove to the place of the Trump supporters to rescue him, he went to the media with the truth, but they probably won't be arrested since they didn't technically break the law (unless he sues for ID theft). Link #1: Republican Trolls Target Peter Buttigieg With False Sexual Assault Claims Link #2: Jacob Wohl, Jack Burkman, And Their Failed Attempt To Divide & Conquer This is probably just the first of many "dirty tricks" that Trump's supporters (lackeys) will try against the main Democrats they see as a threat to defeat their unindicted criminal excuse for a leader in next year's election. The top six (Biden, Sanders, Warren, Harris, O'Rourke, and Buttigieg) can expect an extra dose of fake scandal accusations until something sticks or the primary states finally begin voting. They probably won't bother with any of the other 20 politicians seeking to become the Democratic challenger unless somebody starts gathering momentum (such as Inslee, Booker, Castro, or Yang) once the debates get underway this summer but it could be hard for the likes of Gillibrand, Klobuchar, and so on to gain traction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovehandle Posted May 9, 2019 Report Share Posted May 9, 2019 (edited) they r finally getting married! gd to hear the views of matured : 熟龄者 and a priest/pastor!!! (observe their t shirt brand) V touching towards the end Edited May 9, 2019 by lovehandle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovehandle Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 (edited) do take note , but i felt it really wasnt obvious at all Edited May 12, 2019 by lovehandle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cleanly Teacher Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 More garbage from the Trump Administration -- most likely orchestrated by his closest advisor, the anti-Jewish Jew, and all-around xenophobic racist Stephen Miller -- surely with the smirking approval of anti-gay vice president Mike Pence. An American white gay married an Israeli gay in Canada before the USA legalized gay marriage. They went on to have twin sons, carried to birth by a surrogate mom, with each father's sperm used for one egg apiece. Trump State Department Fighting To Deny Birthright Citizenship To One Of Two Twin Sons Of Gay Couple Now Trump's State Department only wants the white guy's biological son declared a citizen, but not the Israeli guy's biological son, in an effort to intentionally destroy their family. A court has already ruled that the Israeli is now American by marriage, just as it would be for a straight couple, and therefore both sons are American citizens. But the anti-gay Trump Administration is now appealing the case to a higher court (which will likely uphold the ruling). Jerks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve5380 Posted May 12, 2019 Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 4 hours ago, Guest Cleanly Teacher said: More garbage from the Trump Administration -- most likely orchestrated by his closest advisor, the anti-Jewish Jew, and all-around xenophobic racist Stephen Miller -- surely with the smirking approval of anti-gay vice president Mike Pence. An American white gay married an Israeli gay in Canada before the USA legalized gay marriage. They went on to have twin sons, carried to birth by a surrogate mom, with each father's sperm used for one egg apiece. Trump State Department Fighting To Deny Birthright Citizenship To One Of Two Twin Sons Of Gay Couple Now Trump's State Department only wants the white guy's biological son declared a citizen, but not the Israeli guy's biological son, in an effort to intentionally destroy their family. A court has already ruled that the Israeli is now American by marriage, just as it would be for a straight couple, and therefore both sons are American citizens. But the anti-gay Trump Administration is now appealing the case to a higher court (which will likely uphold the ruling). Jerks. Thank you. We may be helpless to contain evil, but at least we can expose it. This Stephen Miller is not only against children of gays, he is against humans in need. (losers, as Trump would say) Here is another article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/05/10/hud-says-children-could-be-displaced-under-trump-plan-evict-undocumented-immigrants/?utm_term=.7efcaadcb0a9 55,000 children evicted. But they are losers, their fault! (according to the current US president). If we could go back to the Germany of some 80 years back, we would have been equally shocked by the acts of the Nazi government at that time. Instead of undocumented immigrants it was the Jews. One can empathize with the people like Simon Wiesenthal who after the war dedicated his life to persecute the ex members of the nazi regime and brought them to justice. Let's hope that it does not go so far this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve5380 Posted May 16, 2019 Report Share Posted May 16, 2019 An interestingly original (political) video of Jimmy Fallon with Mayor Pete Buttigieg. I doubt that he will do this with Joe Biden... wilfgene 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan1456 Posted May 19, 2019 Report Share Posted May 19, 2019 Mayor Pete Buttigieg is the man to watch, no worries if he did not win. What he is doing presently is already creating waves and impact. Come 2020, we shall have a clearer picture of what he has to offer. At the moment, he is not pushing his agenda but quietly stating his points. I am equally impressed by his oratorical abilities in the speeches that he have made so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Simply Gay Posted May 19, 2019 Report Share Posted May 19, 2019 Whichever president loves Gay is a good president. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve5380 Posted May 19, 2019 Report Share Posted May 19, 2019 2 hours ago, Guest Simply Gay said: Whichever president loves Gay is a good president. Yes, and he does not have to "love" gays but simply be in favor of them. However, an American president who is gay and married same-sex will give a boost to gay acceptance worldwide. Like Obama made a case for racial equality. Especially now that he was followed by a white Caucasian and we see how far superior Obama was. Wouldn't it be nice if a next gay president also turns out to be so superior to a straight pussy grabber? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve5380 Posted May 20, 2019 Report Share Posted May 20, 2019 The following video "Pete Buttigieg, The Big Gay Interview" is very interesting. It is amazing how clearly and fast this man thinks. He sounds convincing and HE IS convincing because what he says sounds very authentic. It's worth watching, and not only because he is gay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doncoin Posted May 20, 2019 Report Share Posted May 20, 2019 I think for clarity's sake, it should be noted that Buttigieg is running to become the Democratic Party's nominee to be President. He is not running for POTUS yet. Quote Love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovehandle Posted May 24, 2019 Report Share Posted May 24, 2019 Anyone in Taiwan supporting them today??!! Anyone tried marrying in taiwan n return by common law regardless whether sg accept it or NOT I like the fact that the gays are NOT muscular Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve5380 Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 If Pete Buttigieg becomes the Democratic Party's nominee and even more the US President, this should be absolute proof that a God does not have anything again gays, because if so he would not have made Mayor Pete. Here is his latest interview in the program "This Week": I have never heard a political candidate speak so intelligently. I think that in this respect he beats Obama. Everything he says makes sense. No bullshit. And the interviewer Martha Raddatz didn't make it easy for him! Impressive credentials, impressive performance, impressive person. I won't have to think twice who to vote for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wait n see Posted May 27, 2019 Report Share Posted May 27, 2019 The people must like him. As the heat has not opened yet, I m quite sure the religious fundamentals will come out sooner and later talking bad on him, just due to his homosexuality and many Americans let themselves be influenced by those {doubtful} moral "authorities". It would be more important if the Democrats had some self constraint in not allowing too many candidates and have an internal selection. The past 3 elections all parties always have like 15 over candidates on the start, which confuses the electorate. Be smart, reduce it to 3 (max 5) and please do a thorough screening at start (unlike that issue that some drop out due to some bad happenings (tax, family members as paid aides, sexual harassment records...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FattChoy Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 On 2/4/2019 at 5:00 AM, Garyl said: i read that except citizenship... there is no other criteria... illusional optismism with his current voter support base? I don't think he's going to even make it to the top of his party's election. There is an age criteria, otherwise that crazed btch ex-bartender AOC would have run under the Demorats ticket. Then the world is really screwed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve5380 Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 23 hours ago, Guest wait n see said: As the heat has not opened yet, I m quite sure the religious fundamentals will come out sooner and later talking bad on him, just due to his homosexuality and many Americans let themselves be influenced by those {doubtful} moral "authorities". The White nationalists were not able to influence the election of Black Obama. Even less chance the religious fundamentalists would influence the election of Mayor Pete, who has already bashed them for their lack of MORALITY supporting Trump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GachiMuchi Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 (edited) Taiwan's same-sex marriage law should encourage rights reform across Asia Welcome progress in states defending sexual minorities even when public opinion is hostile Kyle Knight MAY 27, 2019 15:40 JST To legalize same-sex marriage in Taipei is a lesson for other countries. © Reuters Taiwanese gay rights activists have celebrated the island's historic move to legalize same-sex marriage with a mass wedding banquet for twenty couples and more than 1,000 guests, with hundreds more well-wishers picnicking outside the venue to show their support. Saturday's feast came after the Taiwanese parliament enacted a bill to recognize the rights of same-sex couples, making Taiwan the first jurisdiction in Asia to do so and the twenty-sixth in the world. #LoveWon has trended on Twitter, not least because President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted it as the votes came in to approve the bill her cabinet had drafted. The Taiwan vote on May 16 should not be understood narrowly as only a victory for same-sex couples who wish to wed -- it is a precedent for Asia set by a democratically-elected government, which emphasizes the importance of protecting an often-beleaguered minority from persecution and discrimination. The legislation comes as other places in Asia have been making similar strides in recent years, together generating a wave of progress for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, or LGBT, people. In terms of marriage rights, attention may now turn to Japan or Thailand as perhaps the next territories to recognize same-sex relationships, because in both states, there is already significant momentum. Twenty municipal governments across Japan recognize same-sex relationships by handing out symbolic though unofficial "partnership certificates," and a high-profile lawsuit filed earlier this year will challenge the lack of relationship rights at the national level. Chambers of commerce from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in Tokyo urged the national government to act earlier this year. A lesbian couple hold Japan's first partnership certificate as they walk out from the Shibuya ward office in Tokyo on Nov. 5, 2015. © Reuters In Thailand, the cabinet supported a relationship recognition bill and sent it to the National Legislative Assembly for consideration. While the law may not pass during the current government's term which ends soon following recent elections, there's a good chance the next government will consider a similar bill. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, a 2018 high court judgment granted same-sex spousal visa rights (for expatriate dependents whose same-sex relationships are legally recognized abroad), and lawsuits brought this year presage an upcoming debate about comprehensive reform. And don't discount Nepal-the Supreme Court ordered the government to study a pathway toward same-sex relationship recognition in 2007 and the resulting 2015 report recommended government action. The legal change in Taipei is particularly important because it exemplifies how a government can stand up for minority rights in the face of negative public opinion. It is a lesson for other countries, and not just in Asia. In 2017, the Constitutional Court found Taiwan's existing marriage act violated the Constitution on discrimination grounds by excluding same-sex couples. The court gave Parliament two years to rectify this, but public opposition led to a referendum in 2018 to gauge public opinion on same-sex marriage. The results of the referendum were clear -- the majority rejected marriage equality. In a last-ditch attempt to prevent equality, lawmakers proposed two alternative bills in parliament that offered a separate, and unequal, form of partnership recognition that fell far short of marriage. But Taiwan's lawmakers rejected these initiatives and voted in favor of the bill first proposed by the cabinet that provides a path to marriage for same-sex couples. Elsewhere in the region, courts have shown a promising turn toward recognizing and protecting sexual and gender minorities, even in the face of hostile public opinion. The 2018 decision by India's Supreme Court that criminalizing consensual same-sex conduct is unconstitutional was a major victory for LGBT people's rights to privacy and non-discrimination in the world's second-most-populous country. In December 2017, Indonesia's Constitutional Court dismissed a petition that sought to introduce criminal sanctions for adult consensual same-sex conduct, which Indonesia has never historically had on the books. The court issued a strong warning against using criminal law to control unpopular minorities. Against the backdrop of increasing and sometimes-violent discrimination in Indonesia today, the court's decision was a critical restraining force against a wave of unrelenting government-stoked anti-LGBT abuse. Non-discrimination legislation is inching forward as well. Thailand's 2015 Gender Equality Act was the first national legislation in the region to protect gender expression. In the Philippines, over a dozen municipalities and at least five provinces have enacted local LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination laws. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government passed an LGBT non-discrimination law in 2018, and Pakistan passed national legislation prohibiting discrimination against transgender people in education, employment, health care, and public transportation the same year. An Indonesian man is publicly caned for having gay sex in Banda Aceh, Indonesia on May 23, 2017. © Reuters These positive shifts, however, should not obscure stubborn, regressive legal regimes and significant backsliding in the region. Several countries -- from Singapore to Myanmar and Pakistan -- still retain colonial-era "sodomy" laws that punish adult consensual same-sex conduct. The authorities publicly whipped same-sex pairs accused of attempting intimacy in Indonesia in 2017 and Malaysia in 2018. Brunei's brutal new penal code, which went into effect in early April, requires death by stoning for extramarital sex and anal sex; amputation of limbs for stealing; and 40 lashes with a whip for lesbian sex. Following international outcry, the ruler, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, announced that the country's de facto moratorium on the death penalty -- which has been in effect for two decades -- would remain in place. This is little solace for those facing arrest; the punishments of amputation and whipping could still be used, and the sultan could reverse his decision on a whim. Progress in South Korea also hangs in balance as well, following a crackdown on allegedly gay soldiers in 2017 that had military investigators confiscating mobile phones belonging to up to 50 soldiers and insisting that they identify other gay men on their contact lists and dating apps. The military claimed it was upholding a legitimate investigation into violation of its sodomy law which only applies to soldiers. The case is now before the Constitutional Court. For decades, LGBT activists in Asia have demonstrated courage and tenacity, and their efforts are increasingly bearing fruit in a region now brimming with potential for rapid progress on basic rights for LGBT people. Given the various pathways to progress underway, the lesson learned from Taiwan ought not be a narrow one about marriage. Governments across Asia need to protect LGBT people from discrimination -- precisely because of social attitudes that lead to systemic discrimination. Taiwan has shown that a government can consider a referendum as a measure of public opinion, but not bow to the discriminatory will of the majority. Kyle Knight is a researcher in the LGBT rights program at Human Rights Watch. Edited May 28, 2019 by GachiMuchi Quote http://gachimuchi2008.blogspot.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfgene Posted May 29, 2019 Report Share Posted May 29, 2019 There is also an issue of prevalent sense of groomed complacency. Why rock the Boat? That somehow later turns into 不见棺材不落泪 Then 哭爹哭母 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeanMature Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 Among South East Asian countries, Thailand or Philippines could be the first to recognise same sex marriage while Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei could be the last. Quote Don't read and response to guests' post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve5380 Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 17 hours ago, LeanMature said: Among South East Asian countries, Thailand or Philippines could be the first to recognise same sex marriage while Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei could be the last. How can religion-neutral Singapore be among the last when there are some Islamic countries like Malaysia and Indonesia too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeanMature Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 2 hours ago, Steve5380 said: How can religion-neutral Singapore be among the last when there are some Islamic countries like Malaysia and Indonesia too? It is morè than just religion. Quote Don't read and response to guests' post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 20 minutes ago, LeanMature said: It is morè than just religion. Yep, its more than just religion, as usual , ang moh speaking as though he has lived in Singapore from pre independence till now, not showing any knowledge about local conditions. Its easy to make anti establishment comments from outside singapore without having to face the conzequences . Easy peasy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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