I condemn the Anglican Archbishop’s inflammatory remarks

In today’s Straits Times, Archbishop John Chew, Head of the Anglican Church in Singapore and President of the National Council of Churches  of Singapore was reported as saying that mainstream culture is being undermined by “alternative”, “fringe” and “fundamentalistic” values, namely, homosexuality, rampant materialism and religious extremism.  The Straits Times then quotes him as saying that “the West has had to face the consequences of the rise of non-traditional family structures and ‘alternative’ cultures.”  These “alternative” cultures are allegedly responsible for Singapore’s “low fertility rate”, and “the danger is that the mainstream population, its socio-cultural norms and ethos, will dwindle and diminish down the generations.”

He added: ‘The breaking down of families, and the changing of classical family norms, makes all this more aggravated.’

The Straits Times says Dr Chew’s address to his flock comes at a time when Christians at home and abroad, facing rising divorce figures, increasingly outspoken gays and pervasive pop culture influences, are turning to the church for guidance.

I condemn Archbishop Chew’s inflammatory remarks.  They give the erroneous impression that homosexuals have a mysterious set of “alternative” values that are intrinsically “wrong” and that are responsible for the breakdown of the “traditional” family structure.  Here’s why Archbishop Chew’s remarks threaten the moral fibre of our society:

- He adopts the populist stance of demonising homosexuals and blaming them for the evils of our society, without actually defining what the so-called “alternative” values are.  Do homosexuals commit more adultery than the average “traditional” Chinese man with a mainland Chinese mistress?  Do homosexuals abuse their domestic helps with irons?  Do homosexuals refuse to give up their seats to pregnant women on MRT trains?  It appears to me that the Anglican church is trying to make homosexuals the scapegoats for the “mainstream” empire.  Please check your facts before ascribing blame

- What’s more preposterous and non-scientific is the suggestion that Singapore’s low birth rate is partly the result of the homosexual-driven “alternative” agenda.  What???  Such a sensationalist claim merely serves to stir mass hysteria, which, if Singapore were a theocracy like Iran, would probably lead to genocide.  Or should we enforce compulsory sex between gay men and women to boost our birth rate?  This was what the Khmer Rouge practised.  Under their rule in Cambodia, homosexuals and transsexuals (M to F) were forced to have sex with women to prove their sexual orientation.  They were also the first to be persecuted by the Nazis.  It should be considered a crime against humanity to link homosexuality to Singapore’s low birth rate. 

- “Religious fundamentalism” is cited as another factor undermining mainstream culture.  Again, there is no attempt to define “mainstream”.  A lot of my homosexual friends are mainstream.  The ones who are not have been deployed by our government to orchestrate elaborate productions for visiting APEC ministers.  May I suggest that the pot is calling the kettle black?  Making inflammatory remarks about homosexuals is also a form of religious fundamentalism – in fact, I would argue that it is the fuel and life source of religious fundamentalism in Singapore.

I have written before that religious authority does not equate with moral authority.  I shudder to think that many in Singapore still think it does.

Postscript: I deliberately chose the word “condemn” to send out a strong message that religious leaders are not the only ones with the right to “condemn”.  As free, rational and thinking individuals, we too have the right to condemn unfair and irresponsible remarks.  We need to reclaim the word “condemn” and salvage it from the pits of religious dogma.

Babazaar – or Peranakan Bazaar

The annual Peranakan Festival, aptly named PeRUN!akan this year, is whipping up a storm with various heritage activities for all.  Check out their official website here.

Peranakans, nonyas or babas are descendants of early Chinese migrants who settled in Penang, Melacca and Singapore, at times inter-marrying with local Malays.  Their cuisine is a heady mix of ethnic Chinese and Malay ingredients.  A unique feature of Peranakan theatre are the cross-dressing matriachs or bibiks played by men. 

I visited the Babazaar today with my mother and sister, and sampled delicious food such as Kim Choo Kueh Chang, Matilda’s Nyonya Kueh, and the signature nonya chap chye (stewed mixed vegetables).  I also bought a pair of unique handmade earrings from Mel’s Curiosity Shoppe.  Her collections also feature Peranakan designs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The highlight of the event?  I caught up with Emeric Lau, director of the Ah Kua Show and a Peranakan who had a hand in organising the month-long festival.  Like I’ve always said, when your event is in Emeric’s hands, you’re assured of the perfect outcome.   

The event, held at the Singapore Management University Concourse, ends tomorrow.

With Emeric at Babazaar

Just be yourself: April Ashley

I almost died yesterday.  I stepped onto the road as the traffic lights were switching from orange to red, and a taxi zoomed past me.  I could feel the door on my skin.  The taxi driver was trying to beat the lights.  I wasn’t in shock or anything as I was in the midst of my 30 km practice run.  It was after the run that it dawned on me that my life could have been extinguished, snuffed out back there.  So easily, like the snapping of fingers.  God has given me another chance to live my life to the full, another chance to make great choices. 

One lady who has made great choices and who has had a tremendous impact on trans women around the world is April Ashley.  A pioneer who was cruelly outed in the 60s and who went through a very public divorce in the 70s, she not only kept her dignity throughout the years but quietly shared her experiences with whoever cared to listen.  And today, she has a starring role once again in a new exhibition at the Wellcome Collection called “Eight Rooms, Nine Lives”.  Read all about her remarkable life here.

For those of you who prefer to live your lives out of the public glare, I’ve always said that I respect your choices.  But don’t forget that it’s brave souls like April Ashley and Caroline Cossey who paved the way for us to enjoy whatever privileges we have today.

Opportunists do not help green cause

I have to admit that the updated title is better than my original title. 

It’s not because I’m bad and unlovable

It’s not because I’m bad and unlovable that my clothes rack has collapsed.

It’s not because I’m bad and unlovable that I lost the business.

It’s not because I’m bad and unlovable that my colleague is so bitchy to me.

It’s not because I’m bad and unlovable that the air stewardess looked straight past me on the plane when I asked for a drink.

It’s not because I’m bad and unlovable that I feel depressed when it pours in Singapore.

It’s not because I’m bad and unlovable that I’m allergic to cognac and whisky.

It’s not because I’m bad and unlovable I’m still single at my age.

It’s not because I’m bad and unlovable that I was born a “boy”.

It’s not because I’m bad and unlovable that the church cannot accept this and that about me. 

It so just happens that at this moment in history – at this point in time – my life just happens to be unravelling this way.  So come what may I’ll pull out the deck chair, pop a straw into the glass of lemonade, count all my lovable bits and thank God for giving me another magical day to  stick my middle finger out to the world and its bad, unlovable ways.

Politics and Transsexuals Don’t Mix – at least not in Italy

Anyone scanning international news on transsexuals would have come across this leitmotif – transsexual prostitutes implicated in the convoluted lives of Italian politicians, not least the infamous Berlusconi.  Back in June this year, Manila Gorio, 27, a reality television presenter from Bari apparently “talent scouted” young women for the Prime Minister.  Recently, “Brenda”, the transsexual prostitute “linked to a sex and drugs scandal which brought down the prominent Italian politician Piero Marrazzo, has been found burned to death in her apartment.”  Perhaps she was involved with more than one Italian politician.  Valdimir Luxuria, Italy’s first transgender MP, “says she knows at least 10 of her political colleagues who availed themselves of the sexual services of transsexuals.”

On the one hand, I’m annoyed that these ladies are making headlines for the wrong reasons.  On the other hand, “Brenda” was probably trying to forge a better life in Italy.  She may have chosen the wrong path.  She may have been forced to embark on the wrong path.  It’s not for anyone to judge.  But given the sordid mess that Italian politics represents today, someone less colourful needs to step up and steer the country back on the right path.  Unfortunately, the polls suggest that in spite of his buffoonery, Berlusconi is still much beloved by the Italians.  This also means our “sisters” in Italy will continue to feed the scandals and take the heat.

Is global warming for real? The controversy rages on

AP carried an article which claims that prominent climate experts manipulated key data to overstate the case for global warming when in fact temperatures have been declining.  Is global warming for real?  The controversy – and evidence gathering – rages on. 

I used to be quite concerned about saving the environment, and I would recycle my plastic bags whenever possible.  But with Western big businesses hyping “global warming” to the hilt – somewhat like Philip Morris running a health campaign, one is forced to take a step back to reflect on all the hype surrounding climate change.  Ok, some companies are obviously jumping on the bandwagon for quick bucks – after all, if you can’t beat them, join them.  And gradually, a whole village of business interests have come into play – you’ve PR companies specialising in “green PR” overnight; hybrid cars and eco-houses have become the next “in” thing.  Lots of people would certainly lose their jobs – and special interests – if the global sauna were revealed as a hoax. 

Yet what if the crisis were real?  For one, the opportunists certainly aren’t doing the cause any favours with their slick marketing.  The layman doesn’t know who to believe when conspiracy theories abound.  Well, in times like this, we’re meant to turn to the experts – the climate scientists.  But even they are biting each other’s heads off. 

I say let’s go with our instincts.  Deforestation represents a real threat.  No one in his/her right mind can believe that the destruction of rainforests  – and together with it the destruction of ecosystems – would benefit mankind.  And would it kill you to use fewer plastic bags? 

Still, it’s time for the climate experts to get their acts together, otherwise “global warming” would be another bubble waiting to burst.

The Great Global Warming Swindle

No one can deny that the world is experiencing global warming, but is CO2 the root cause of global warming as the climate scientists would like us to believe?  The documentary ”The Great Global Warming Swindle” explores the (pseudo)-science behind global warming.  I lack the necessary knowledge to explore the topic probingly, but what I’ve observed prima facie is that global warming as we read, hear and experience it today is very “sexed up”.  If you want to be hip, “cool” and trendy, you jump on the global warming bandwagon.  If you want to ride the next big financial wave, you should invest in clean energy.  I’ve attended seminars where slick, gimmicky guys in suits – usually expat. guys parachuted in from the US/UK - sold clean energy as the “next big thing” and flashed their “Go Green” credentials with a swagger reminiscent of that of the pyramid scheme operators.  

Ok, for someone who lacks the knowledge, I sound as if I’m already sold on the counter arguments.  Here’s the trailer for the documentary – judge for yourself.

Candis Cayne

Another Candis Cayne video in commemoration of Transgender Day of Remembrance.  Ok, so Cayne is not a rocket scientist, but she’s inspiring in her own way.  Her visibility in Hollywood has helped promote the transgender cause in a huge way.  That she’s in a loving long-term relationship with a cool dude – cool because he loves and respects her for who she is - sets up a fine example for other couples.  It represents a sea change from the traditional hide-and-seek type of relationship that straight transgender women have had to put up with in the past decades.  Enjoy!

What’s a 13F?

No, it’s not bra size.  For those of you who read financial news, Wall Street Journal’s Financial Adviser describes the 13F filing as “the listing of all of the firm’s stocks that it owns as of the most recent quarter-end.”  This is supposedly a good indicator of ”the next best bet”.  According to the same online paper, John Paulson, the subject of Gregory Zuckerman’s recently published book, “The Greatest Trade Ever”, posted his new 13F filing on Friday.  His newest position is in Citigroup, which I’ve mentionned before – albeit ironically – as a “surefire” bet in an earlier post. 

Is there such as thing as a sure win in the stock market?  Most certainly not.  In a recent report on analysts’ opinions on the near-term stock market direction in The Economist, there were as many “bears” as there were “bulls”.  But what we could do is continuously educate ourselves by taking advantage of the free information available online. 

From now on, I will share as many financial tools as possible - it’s a way for me to remember what I’ve learnt.  It’s also my way of helping to empower the transgender community beyond the traditional themes of love, fashion and relationships (that gets boring after a while:).