11 October 2012:
Such should be the way forward.
In the above you see:
- A very brave member of the LGBT community. I say she is very brave because not many LGBTs dare to admit and 'come out of the closet', especially in a bigoted society like Singapore's. As she stated, some LGBTs leave or are leaving Singapore cos of the discrimination. (Some people say that LGBTs don't get recognition cos Singapore's society is conservative. No, that is not the problem. The problem is overt bigotry. What is acceptable now may be a no-no years ago. Conservatism is relative to the period of time in mention. Bigotry is absolute.)
- A very gentlemanly and open minister and member of parliament. Frankly speaking Mr Shanmugam could have ignored her comment, as some officeholders with Facebook do. But he replied, and even helped by offering her viewpoints to the relevant people. Of course he does the usual disclaimer which I think it's fine here.
- A new form of governance where social media plays a part in how politicians listen to people's concerns. Even such concerns - not related at all to financial gain - are being addressed and not placed on hold for other 'more important' concerns.
Within three days he answered a comment by someone else, also regarding LGBT and policy making. Certainly my impression of Mr Shanmugam has changed for the better. Sadly PM Lee isn't as active in replying. I wish he were though, although he is busier, lah.
If this is the way that things are gonna progress generally, then I really don't mind having a strong opposition but stronger ruling party. The opposition definitely should be there for checks and balances, but also for some spice in parliament, just like in Australia.
TTFN.
By the way, I am not commending this Facebook post because it is about LGBT rights. I am commending it for the big picture of active communication between public and government. So any homophobes out there should shut up if you're planning a rebuttal.