Singaporeans’ attitudes toward lesbians and gay men and their tolerance of media portrayal of homosexuality. [International Journal of Public Opinion Research Vol. 19 No.3.]
This article was used to support the camp who went against the appeal of 377A.
There really isn’t anything wrong with the article. All it’s saying is… Christians and Muslims are less tolerant; people who are older are less tolerant; people who are less educated are also less tolerant. And that’s based on the demographics of Singapore (proportion of Christians blah blah, proportions of older people and proportions of less educated people), more than half of the folks are not tolerant.
You know what that tells me?
That tells me that Singapore is currently made up of more Christians, Muslims, older folks and less educated folks combined.
It certainly doesn’t tell me that Singapore is therefore unsuitable for policy change, which has lasting effects down the time-line.
Anyway, most studies are snapshots in time. Imagine if a longitudinal study is conducted and surveys are done yearly since 1997, i assure you that the gradual increase in level of tolerance wouldn’t be missed. [Just think: among the younger folks who are going to be older folks in future, how many more are better educated now?]
Now, doesn’t that make a case to repeal 377A?
Unfortunately, noone has invested so much time and resources into such a study.
The facts are out there, but the truth remains uncovered.
How can anyone use a photograph of the now to judge the past and prognosticate the future?!
