Singapore too conservative to tolerate gay groups
Saturday, April 10, 2004
The Singapore government said that it would ban gay support organisations because its conservative population doesn't believe such groups deserve legitimacy.
An AP news report on Wednesday quoted the Home Affairs Ministry as saying "As the mainstream moral values of Singaporeans are conservative, it is hence contrary to public interest to grant legitimacy to the promotion of homosexual activities and viewpoints."
The statement followed a government decision on Tuesday to deny freedom of association to People Like Us, a support and advocacy group for gay people, because it believed the group was "likely to be used for unlawful purposes or for purposes prejudicial to public peace, welfare or good order in Singapore," the ministry said.
The government said in its formal rejection notice that the group must halt all activities, warning that members of unregistered societies face heavy punishments under the law, People Like Us co-founder Alex Au said.
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