Speech delivered at the Malaysian Bar Council, Bar Council Human Rights Public Speaking Competition 2008 finals (1st prize), 12 Dec 2008:
Good evening everyone.
In this country, I’m the minority of minorities.
Firstly, I’m a female. Secondly, I’m a Chinese and thirdly, I’m an agnostic.
I’m glad to let you know that, throughout the 19 years of my life thus far that I have spent in Malaysia, I’ve never encountered serious oppression because of my sex, race of religious belief, because thank God, in Malaysia, we acknowledge and have satisfactory protection of women’s rights, as well as the rights of racial and religious minorities.
But I also belong to another minority that has been discriminated and persecuted until this very day.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I stand before you today as a gay Malaysian to appeal for the protection of gay rights in Malaysia.
What does it mean to be gay person?
A gay person is someone who is attracted to persons of the same sex.
But that’s it. The definition ends there.
Far beyond our differences, I share many similarities with all of you in this hall.
For example, I’m here today because like you, I’m concerned about human rights and I enjoy debates.
Like you, I’ve a family that I love and cherish.
Like you, I too, long for the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
And most of all, like you, I am capable of love.
What does it mean to be a gay person in Malaysia?
For one, I know that I probably will never be able to marry the person that I love in this lifetime.
Until today, there’s no formal organization that I can rely on to speak up and stand up for my rights.
Sometimes, I’m even subjected to state-sanctioned homophobia such as that propagated by the National Fatwa Council’s recent decision to outlaw tomboys and lesbianism.
In the last three days of this tournament, I’ve made quite a number of friends, who are in this hall right now.
And I’m thankful for your priceless friendship.
But there’re many occasions in life when, in the course of making friends, I wonder…I wonder if their friendship is subjected to the assumption that I’m a heterosexual.
I hate to doubt anybody’s sincerity and capacity for acceptance and friendship, but as a homosexual Malaysian living in a homophobic Malaysian society, I’ve no choice but to grapple with such fears and suspicions on a daily basis.
And what about gay rights? What are gay rights?
Gay rights are simply the rights of gay persons to live in peace and dignity, and to be accorded the same recognition and opportunities as other human beings.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We have gathered here today at this human rights debate tournament because we share a common ideal: that all men and women are created free and equal, but I would also like to introduce another concept to you today: that not only do we deserve equal human rights, but that all human rights are equal.
That means, gay rights are no less important and impacting to the preservation of human dignity than women’s rights, the rights of racial and religious rights as well as other rights.
For far too long in Malaysia, the issue of gay rights has been at best occasionally brought up by human rights organizations and at worst, totally swept under the carpet.
And this has to stop, because discrimination towards gays is no less demeaning and dehumanizing as discrimination towards women, blacks, Jews, Tutsis and other minorities.
At the same time, I realize that some of you here will hold views contrary to mine, and I realize that I probably won’t be able to change those views with a single speech, but I would still like to encourage you to reconsider some of the common arguments against gay rights.
If you fear that the granting of gay rights will bring about the end of procreation and the human race, let me assure you that the granting of gay rights will eliminate heterosexuals no more than the granting of heterosexuals rights will eliminate gays.
If you believe that homosexuals are perverted and abnormal, then remember that there’re many things which we approve of today, such as hand phones and cars, and the concepts of democracy and gender equality, which are unnatural outside the realm of civilization, but are still worthy of preservation anyway.
At the same time, there’re many things which come naturally to us, such as hatred, fear and bigotry, which I believe aren’t worthy of preservation.
If you’re one of those who object to gay rights on religious grounds, and believe that we’re the untouchables, then remember that the untouchables too, are the children of God.
I stand before you today as a gay Malaysian to appeal for the protection of gay rights in Malaysia, but I do not speak for myself.
I do not speak for the person I love.
Neither do I speak on behalf of the estimated 350,000 gays and lesbians in Malaysia.
Rather, I speak on behalf of humanity as a whole, because our fate is intertwined.
When one man is not free, all are bound.
And when the gay community triumphs, our triumph too, shall be your triumph.
Martin Luther King had his dreams, on which my fellow speaker Marcus Wee will elaborate after me.
I too, have my own dreams.
I hope to pursue a life of happiness and companionship with the person I love, freely and without fear or fervor.
I hope that someday, if I ever win a public competition with a speech on gay rights, I can go home and proudly tell my parents of my achievement without fear of repercussions.
I also hope that you will join me in the cause to uphold gay rights. But if that is too much to ask of you, then I appeal for tolerance.
But most of all, I dream that someday, speeches like this one will no longer be necessary.
Lastly, I end my speech with a quote by Boethius:
“Who can put a law unto love? Love is unto itself the highest law.”
Thank you.
Chong Yong Wei, Gabrielle
12/12/2008
December 15th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
What a beautiful speech it is.
Hats off to you and hurrah.
December 16th, 2008 at 4:18 am
Thank you!!
And congratulations!! It’s time more Malaysian youth come out!
December 16th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Cool!
December 19th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Well articulated. Quite moving too.
December 19th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
That is a wonderful speech. I was totally moved by it and knowing that someone is brave enough to stand up and fight for people like “us” gives everyone the courage fight for what’s necessary – our rights as the queer folks in this country.
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:28 am
well done gabs!
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:35 am
I believe you forgot to mention that this won first prize?
December 26th, 2008 at 4:35 am
hey! I met you during breakfast that first day of the tournament. congratulations, you truly deserve it. and it was amazing to see that you received such a heartened applause for it when you won. would still like to keep in touch. email me: sleeporexic[at]gmail.com
December 29th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Aiyo, Gabby… your face looks so garang in that picture. >.<
January 18th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
A very moving speech. Well done!
I thuoght, however, that the speech was somewhat dominated by the emotional parts, and that cognitive considerations should have played a slightly larger role in your argumentation.
Mentioning that religious benchmarks should not be allowed to play a central role in defining the morality we propogate in our secular constitutions, but rather laws of science, that have recently revealed a great deal of homosexuality all around us in nature (thus negating arguments of “carnal” sex being unnatural).
Nonetheless, a wonderful speech, which deserves a great deal of congratulations for your courage and eloquence!
January 27th, 2009 at 2:26 am
a truly wonderful speech! great work and effort there
February 4th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Hey Gabrielle,
Can I join your team to fight for the LGBT in malaysia? There many of us living in fear everyday, we need help!! Hope you reading this msg of my…
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:55 am
Hey Gabrielle
i am writing a thesis on gay rights in malaysia. care to do an interview? do you have an email address in which i can contact you?
thanks
February 24th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Hi Gabrielle,
This is indeed a very moving speech. However there is one thing I would like to point out to those who are advocating gay rights, that is your arrogance on the issue. Just because you are discriminated against, it does not put you on a higher platform to look down on others who may not support your cause or your right. They too have their own rights to their own views.
As for being passionate about it, I applaud your passion at only 19 years of age. However, Gabrielle, many whom have met you or have interacted with you are quite aware of your acute arrogance and lack of manners. May you be reminded, you are only 19. You have yet to see half the world and meet half the people that others have. So, just because you are gay, does not make you superior.
I think it is high time you get over yourself. And try to be a passionate 19 year old gay activist, minus the high horse that you rode in on.
And before you ask others to extend a hand to help you in your cause, perhaps you too should learn to help others first.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
“However there is one thing I would like to point out to those who are advocating gay rights. Just because you are discriminated against, it does not put you on a higher platform to look down on others who may not support your cause or your right. They too have their own rights to their own views.”
Yes Jen, I agree that no one has the right to impose any views on any one. But unfortunately, those rights cease to exist the day religious organization started to demonize gays and lesbians as equivalent to viruses and plagues instead of human beings, the day that the media totally misrepresent and misreport a minority’s existance. The day that the word “homosexual” scientifically meaning a person attracted to the same sex, was translated into an adjective which means something perverted, a kind of dirty sex action that threatens civilisations because of the lack of fertility and the of the homosexual “infection” on children.
By this, it seems that gay activism is always on the defensive. And if I understand it, you are claiming we are at a higher platform? Since when? Can we get married just as any straights? Can most of us get jobs based on the virtues of our capabilities and not our sexuality, or not getting fired if we are outed? Are we able to walk side by side with our partners holding hands without being ridiculed or attract unwanted stares? Can we love without anyone’s prejudice? Of course, I would agree with you that Gabrielle does seem at times arrogant. But are you sure it is because she is a lesbian? Have you ever thought it may be because she is proud of her achievements academically? Or perhaps it is you who are oversensitive because you feel intimidated by her? I am 33. She speaks at my level. Age is just a number. So what is your problem in the end? Perhaps it is just you trying to impose certain views over others now instead? Think about it.
February 24th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Hi Yuki Choe,
I think you have lumped every kind of person together when you make sweeping comments like can we get jobs based on our capabilities? can we love without anyone’s prejudice? Can we walk side by side with our partners holding hands without being ridiculed?
The answer to the question if you are gay (and not a transexual- I will get to that later) is that YES you can. Gays have been accepted in every industry there is in Malaysia. The airlines,law, medical, graphic designers, PR companies, fitness industry…anything and everything. If you have been discriminated against in some industries, I would love to know how and why.
As for marriage, well, OUR country has yet to evolve to that level as we are bound by Islamic law. Unfortunately for us here, we will always be bound by that. Just as a non-Muslim will have to convert if he or she wants to marry a Muslim. That I am sorry to say, you are “discriminated” against.
Our country may have some minorities trying to demonize gays and lesbians but overall, you live and work freely under the Malaysian skies. If I walk out in the streets of Malaysia, as a Chinese holding an Indian man’s hand, I will get stares too. If I marry a Muslim and decide to wear a head scarf, my Chinese friends may laugh at me too. We all suffer prejudices and discrimination everyday of our lives Yuki. Some of these stares and prejudices, should not bother you because people who mind are not your friends, and if they are your friends, then do should not mind.
But it does not mean that just because you may be discriminated against you deserve to the right to be arrogant about the “ignorance” of those who do not accept you.
As for transexuals, yes undeniably, there is way too much discrimination there. And I too wish it could stop. But I think transsexuals and gays are on a different playing field altogether. The former suffer much more and as for latter, I reiterate the above.
As for being proud of your achievements, but of course you can. Being proud and being arrogant however are two different things. I am not saying Gabrielle is arrogant because she is lesbian, that you got me wrong, I am saying she is arrogant. Full stop. As for academic achievements, Mr. Edmund Bon, great human rights activist and a fantastic lawyer is down to earth, friendly and not even the slightest bit arrogant. She should learn to be more like him.
February 24th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Jen, my “sweeping comments”, was based on again, your statement:
“However there is one thing I would like to point out to those who are advocating gay rights. Just because you are discriminated against, it does not put you on a higher platform to look down on others who may not support your cause or your right. They too have their own rights to their own views”
I am a transsexual, and a gay rights activist (along with transgender rights of course). When you place “those who are” including me, of course I have to make those comments. Not all gay rights activists are arrogant.
Secondly, even though we are bound by Muslim law, there still the fact that you CAN still be married, whether with a Indian man or a Muslim man.
Third, your two statements:
“Gays have been accepted in every industry there is in Malaysia.”
“Our country may have some minorities trying to demonize gays and lesbians but overall, you live and work freely under the Malaysian skies.”
The above are very much inaccurate. Not “every industry” can accept gays, and the ones that demonize gays and lesbians are actually the majority. And those who are employed are usually closeted or out to only certain people. Of course, you cannot compare them with me because I am visible. Therefore the abuse and discrimination I get would of course be much more.
Lastly, on Gabrielle. I do not know what happened between you and her, but in no way do I find Gabrielle to be as arrogant as you mentioned. Stoned with books, yes. Too much to share, yes. Strong believer in building bridges in dialogue, yes. But she is in fact, meek and adorable with me and even with my friends. Perhaps there is a misunderstanding between you and her? Because the person you described can hardly be the person I know.
February 24th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
HAHAHAHHA. Oh jeezez, Jen, how’d you manage to see Gabrielle’s purported high horse from the giant one you’re riding?
It feels like you make so many flawed arguments I donch know where to start.
First of all, I don’t think Gabs was being high-handed about the issue. There is an acknowledged lack of cohesive, strong fronts in addressing sexuality issues — it is harder to get funding, there are so many more “glamorous” social and human rights issues to address, the stigma attached to it that you are either perverse/queer if you’re an advocate for equal rights, etc.
Second, racial issues are politicised. Sexuality and gender issues are by far more demonised. Though they may share some traits, there is a difference.
Third, we have laws that protect you from being discriminated on the basis of several factors. Your sexuality, though private, is not one of them. (However successfully we implement the laws and systems we have in place for it, is another issue — cedaw, as an example, though ratified, practically looks invisible here)
Fourth, to ignore that there is a variety of glass ceilings encountered by women, much less people who do not fit the heternormative, patriarchial culture in malaysia, won’t make for a very strong case on your side. Sure, you can point to exceptions, but they do not make the norm.
Finally, arrogance also results in presuming someone should behave the way you think they ought to.
This is a bit of a (okay, very) rushed comment. If you will like to continue any of these discussions (or hey, all of them), my email is lainieyeoh@gmail.com
We can bore each other silly discussing material readily available on the internet. Your court, ball in it.
February 24th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Hello Jen,
Thanks a lot for your input.
Para#1: “So, just because you are gay, does not make you superior.
Para#2: “I am not saying Gabrielle is arrogant because she is lesbian, that you got me wrong, I am saying she is arrogant. Full stop.”
My logic may be wrong, but para#1 and para#2 doesn’t seem to tally.
Para#3: “Some of these stares and prejudices, should not bother you because people who mind are not your friends, and if they are your friends, then do should not mind.”
Going by that reasoning, we should abandon all our efforts to promote racial harmony, gender equality, human rights, because after all, we don’t need to be friends with racists, sexists and supremacists anyway.
Para#4: “Just because you are discriminated against, it does not put you on a higher platform to look down on others who may not support your cause or your right. They too have their own rights to their own views.”
I’d appreciate it if you can describe, very specifically, the ways that I’ve looked down on those who do not share my views.
Para#5: “If you have been discriminated against in some industries, I would love to know how and why.”
That’s either an ignorant or sarcastic statement. I’m not the expert on discrimination in the workplace, but I’m sure there’re many groups out there with statistics in hand. Besides, discrimination comes in many forms, you know.
“Jen”, you’re either someone whom I’ve accidentally offended in cyberspace and who doesn’t know me well in person, or someone who’s trying to speak up for a friend whom I’ve offended in cyberspace (and doesn’t know me well in person too).
It’s always self-defeating and touche to speak for oneself, but I’m going to try it anyway:
I’ve never been a friendly extrovert or an amiable person. If anything, I’m also aloof, reserved, nondiscrminating, awkward, stoned-faced and detached.
I can also be very critical and very, very, very harsh and punishing. But – I say BUT – that’s only when criticism is due.
And I probably offended you or your friend in the course of being critical.
And though I’ve no idea when or how I did that, I’ll offer my sincerest apologies anyway. I’m sorry.
As for accusations about my supposed arrogance and pride, I’ll just say this – a lot of people who look, seem and sound arrogant are also the persons who feel most insecure, inadequate and insignificant. Those who know me very well will know me as someone who’s always nervous, and deeply unsatisfied with herself.
I’m always harsher on affluent adults than on hawkers and peddlar mak ciks (though it’s not the smartest thing to do). and I’m always much harsher on my close friends than on my acquaintances. Most of all, I’m always, always harshest on myself.
As for “academic achievements”, I don’t know what achievements you’re referring to. I failed every subject in my A Level trial. I also come from a working-class family and am currently surviving on my own savings, if you need to know. There’re many brats around, But I’m not one of them.
By the way, it’s a somewhat innocuous norm for cyber dissenters to use fake e-mails. But to pick the name “Jen” after scouring my facebook profile, that was a pretty deliberate personal attack, wasn’t it?
Also, the only reason why you’re able to comment freely here is because I never censor comments, and I make my profile freely accessible online. I’ll be grateful if you’ll return me the favour by returning here under your real identity, and explain how, when, and why I offended you or your friend (or both).
February 25th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I am as real as I can be.
I am rational enough to know that if I want to air my views, I will say it under my own name. I do not need to be hide behind a fake name or identity.
Gabrielle, you do not know who I am or whether I am like you, also in the minority and suffering the same prejudices as you. We may be in the same boat, but I just have views which differ from you. So maybe there is no need for theatrics.
However, all attacks against my comments have missed the whole point of my posts. Here is what it is :- Essentially Gabrielle, you are speaking for a group of people whom you believe(and to a certain extent I believe as well) are discriminated against. Hence, it would augur well for you to make friends and not enemies as you go along. Just because you are middle class and surviving on your own savings does not justify your bitterness and anger towards everybody and everything. (Maybe you are maybe you are not, I am generalising). But essentially, when someone asks for a helping hand, perhaps it would be nice to extend yours to meet the other person’s.
After all, life is a real bitch. We all have our own demons to face but at 19, you have such a long way ahead of you. You are on the right path but you joined the path with perhaps just a little too much arrogance. Sure, we are all entitled to be the person that we are, much too proud, loud,brash, aggressive, critical and what not. But if you have decided to put yourself on the platform to speak for some who cannot speak for themselves, it would really help that you humble yourself, and be more accepting of what others have to say.
After all, how do you expect others to hear what you have to say, and see what you are pointing at when you go about offending quite a lot of people along the way? Humans are emotional that way. If we do not like you, chances are we do not like what you have to say either, rational words or not.
February 25th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Well Jen,
It seems you are not reading into anyone’s comments. Ok sure, there will be people who would not like us in the world. And we love Gabrielle. If you do not like her (or the pressumed unsubstantiated “arrogance” you claimed she displays), it is your problem and not ours. Take care, anyway.
February 25th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Dear Lee Lai Jen,
Fair enough.
But still, you’ve not explained yourself.
Obviously, if I really had offended you (or your friend – I don’t know, since you’ve yet to explain yourself clearly) personally, you’d have known that there’re other private avenues to contact me and point out my instances of arrogance (which I still have no idea when they occurred).
But no, you’ve chosen to air your views at a public avenue.
Very well then, let’s thrash out everything in public and if I’m proven to be rude/arrogant/bitter/anger/unhelpful etc, then I’ll do whatever you want me to do as reparation (since you won’t accept apologies).
First of all, I’ve never seen, heard, talk to or know of any “Lee Lai Jen”. It’d clear things if you explain once and for all who you really are, and when/how/why did we interact. If I’ve offended your friend, then reveal his/her identity too.
Secondly, it gets every frustrating when someone comes out in public and tells you that you’ve been arrogant, but can’t describe the instance when you’ve been arrogant. It’d be helpful if you’ll explain when, where, why, how have I been arrogant, what words did I used, what facial expression did I pull etc.
Thirdly, in all honesty, I absolutely cannot recall myself ever turning down anyone’s request for help (donations excluded). Again, please explain when, where, how I’ve refused to extend my hand to someone in need.
Fourthly, please name the “a lot of people” I’ve offended. Or at least, explain when, where, how I offended them, what I’ve said to them.
Fifthly, it is not my duty to to be likeable. I do whatever I think is the right thing to do, finish my tasks and obligations, and basically try to lead a responsible life. I’m not a leader, but I’ve been taught many times that the real function of leaders is not to earn admiration, but to do the right things even when people don’t like it, or even hate it. If people don’t want to listen to rational voices just because they don’t like it, then the problem lies with the people and not the speaker. If you don’t like me (for some reason that you still haven’t explained), that’s perfectly fine to me.
Lastly and most importantly, if I really had been arrogant, then why didn’t you tell me earlier, or try talking to me in person? I’m neither inaccessible nor unapproachable.
That’s all. Hope to hear from you soon.
April 1st, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Dear Jen,
I don’t know if you know of a kind of discrimination called “ageism”. You, my friend, are a bigot.
Just because Gabrielle is 19 does not mean that she does not know what she is talking about. I am 21, but I was disowned at 18 when my ‘best friend’ outed me to my parents and had to fend for myself from that day forth. If that is not enough:
1. I was kicked out from a job when my employer found out that I had a girlfriend
2. I was forced to eat nothing but biscuits for a month which made me dangerously ill due to malnutrition… no one would give me a job because I am not ‘girly enough’.
3. I rented a place without knowing that the owner was an ex-convict. When I called the police (the ex-con was trying to blackmail me), the police sided with him instead of me, because the landlord told them I had a girlfriend, and that I am “poisoning the mind of his child”.
4. Nearly got sexually abused many times by men who think they can straighten me out (they had no idea that I practice martial arts though).
5. My girlfriend and I tried looking for a room to rent together, and landlords would sound happy over the phone… but reject us as soon as they saw one of the girls looking like a boy (me).
And many other instances of discrimination. And that is only in the span of 3 years. Do I even have to tell you what happened my whole life? Because the worst is not prejudice by society, but self-hatred… because society insists that you are wrong – so much until you start believing in it yourself.
So DON’T tell me that just because I’m young, I don’t know what it’s like. And DON’T tell me gay people are not discriminated against. Because they, just like you probably do as well, thought I am a lesbian.
In truth, I am a transman. But you would have no idea unless I tell you, because I am pre-op and pre-hormones. So I still look, yes you guessed, like a girl.
And let me tell you 2 differences between a bi-racial couple and a homosexual one:
1. Bi-racial couples can ACTUALLY get married. To this day, I do not know of a gay couple legally married by Malaysian authorities. However I can tell you tens of thousands of bi-racial couples that are legally married by Malaysian authorities and protected by Malaysian law.
If you’re one of those that don’t believe in marriage, think about the protection given by the law to married couples. I know of gay people who never get to see their dying partners in hospitals because they’re “not relatives” of the dying partner. That one example is good enough, but if you need more, I can further elaborate the privileges of marriage as allotted in Malaysian law.
2. Bi-racial couples do not have to worry about being beaten up just because they’re of different races. Yeah, sure you’ll get stares from some uneducated racial purists, but there is never a real threat of broken bones, swollen eyes, bruises, scratches, hemorrhaging, or even a knife through your guts. Gay couples however, are always afraid of such things happening to them if the dared to hold hands in public… much less hug or kiss each other. And lesbians, there is always the chance of getting raped by the same group of imbeciles. So let’s not even go to the staring part, okay? We get stared at by, oh everyone… but that’s really the least of our worries.
Now, these are not the ONLY differences between a bi-racial couple and a homosexual couple, however they are quite enough to explain the situation.
If you still can’t see the picture, you seriously have to dig yourself out of your own hole of ignorance. Sure, we all experience some form of discrimination no matter who we are – but that doesn’t make it right.
And if you even TRY to say that I am arrogant, you don’t know me. If you decide to take this comment of mine (which is harshly worded and extremely sarcastic) as a definition of my entire, complex human self, then you are free to do so. As a lesbian metal singer named Otep said, “My pain, my pride – these scars are mine”.
And Gabrielle, I must say you made a terrific speech! I’m sorry that this comments page has been more devoted to replying to the imbecile known as “Jen” rather than to fully appreciate what you have done for gay rights in Malaysia. I dare say I would have hugged you if I was in the audience.
April 8th, 2009 at 6:54 am
Who does that Jen person thinks she is? are you just jealous because Gabrielle’s speech won the first price at the Malaysian BAR council debate?
oh well, stop being so bitter and cheer up. oh and by the way it would be much appreciated if you can get your head out of your arse and start listening ,because its time for some reality check.
Homosexuals are discriminated in Malaysia because there is no law that protect us . I’m living in the UK with my partner, i want to go back to Malaysia but i can’t because, Malaysia ran by its pretentious and so called democratic government can’t recognise basic human rights.
If i get arrested for being gay in Malaysia , there’s nothing that my partner can do in terms the law because the fact is, there’s nothing under the law to protect me, as far the law’s is concern i can have a criminal record and jailed up to 20 years? because of WHAT?? i love another woman?? how would you feel if you get arrested because you are heterosexual??
the point is,we all deserve to live this life without the fear of assault and receive equal legal rights be it straight, gay, bisexual and transsexual.
its so simple , its human rights .
May 22nd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
This is a little late in the day perhaps but Jen, I agree with your sentiments. Also, you have been proven correct.
May 25th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Shetland:
I think you implying that Gabrielle is arrogant by ‘agreeing’ with ‘Jen’ just because you had a disagreement with her on the Prem issue is unwarranted.
Just because somebody doesn’t with you on one issue, that doesn’t translate to arrogance. (If that applies, does that make everyone arrogant, since everyone has different opinions?)
I don’t know Gabrielle personally, but some of my friends do. And from what I’ve heard so far, she’s a wonderful person to many to them. Principled, yes. Loyal, yes. Brave, yes. Uncomprising, maybe. But arrogant, never.
May 26th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Do not be too hasty to presume. My opinion is not just based on one issue alone.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Shetland:
Oh? Then explain ‘more than one issue’.
Anyway, I’m disgusted that people like you and ‘Jen’ would stoop to low levels and make what was supposed to make a blog post on a celebrated speech a ground for unjustified personal attacks. And personal attacks against a much loved person among my friends at that.
Gabbie, you can just ignore them, really. And congrats again on your win.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
“And personal attacks against a much loved person among my friends at that.”
*Rolls eyes*
Anyhow, opinion still stands. I agree with Jen. You can carry on being disgusted. Have a nice, disgusted day.
May 27th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
A personal attack? I tend to question many things in people. Everyone gets criticized from time to time. How one takes it is important. How one learns from it is even more important. Gabrielle is an intelligent enough person who will go far in life and and can go far with this cause provided she goes about it correctly. However she is young. I a not saying youth should be silenced, however, there is so much to learn and to live.
One needs to listen to the community before one wants to speak for it. And bear in mind, when speaking on an LGBT cause as a lesbian, the public at large will view her as speaking for us whether anyone likes it or not. In this blog post anyway, her celebrated speech was based on Gay Rights. Winning speech no doubt. But there’s a lot more to done.
I need to explain myself to you? You, who loves a ‘Much loved person among my friends at that” ? Seriously?
May 27th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
I think “gay” here is a synecdoche for LGBTIQ.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:18 am
Dear ShetlandPony,
Thanks for the pointers. I’ll strive to reach out to the LGBT community. I agree with you that there’s a lot more that needs to be done, and though I don’t offer any promises, I’ll do my best.
(Also, please refrain from using multiple nicknames.On May 23, ‘Shetland’ and ‘Shaggy’ used identical IP addresses – 60.52.100.248. On May 26 and 27, ‘Shetland’ and ‘Patpaw’ used identical IP addresses – 124.82.87.60 and 60.51.104.100 respectively – again.)
May 28th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Aww….clever clever…this is an office. And, within an office there are many pcs on one network using one IP address. One day when you grow up and get a job, you’ll understand this. You actually took the time to check on this? You have learned something after all! Still, not quite though. Again, an assumption with not enough proof. Tsk tsk…Nice try.
May 28th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Oh wait, I haven’t finish. On May 21, ‘Jonathan’ and ‘Ms Dorothy’ used identical IP addresses – 202.75.144.7. Meanwhile, on May 23, ‘Taiym’, ‘Shetland’ and ‘Shaggy’ also used the IP address 60.52.100.248. Wow. 3 persons, same location. Coincidence of the year huh?
And Shetland, it’s strange of you to emphasize on my youth, since you’re not much older than I am.
June 10th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
dear yong wei…im impressed by ur courage… thank u so much for representing the minority of the minorities like me… hiding my own feelings is hard and difficult… especially when im from a christian family. the society and the church will not accept me…my family even council me on dat… there was quite a long period of time when i fellinto depression…i cant even accept da fact that i actually like a girl… i dont know whether u will read or reply my post… but anyway…thank u once again…
June 10th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
* counsel …wrong spelling
June 11th, 2009 at 1:36 am
Hello Abigail,
If it helps, I personally know countless Christian friends who’re facing the same conundrum as you do, and some of them have successfully come out with their family and church’s support. I’m not an authority on religious issues, but my personal opinion is that religion is a personal matter. Whatever dilemmas you have with your own sexual identity (which you’ll solve at your own pace, I hope) is between you and God, and not between you and family or society or anyone else. But of course, you’ve to take the first step by coming to terms with yourself. Good luck!
June 27th, 2009 at 9:41 am
I find this speech worth my attention, and those of others. We all have been in this state for a long, long time already. Homosexuality is NEVER a choice, rather it is natural. You can read more in my blog here “The Conflict Within” .
July 9th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I FARTED
July 15th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Derek, that is wonderful. That really shows character. Fart some more.
)