11.08.08
Posted in Singapore Gay News at 10:42 am by sayoni
In a further development of the story we published on the orchard towers “hate crime”, the remaining three assailants, the ones who started the assault on the victim Suhaimi, have been sentenced by a district judge.
Greater role, so trio get jail
Trio in the dock had each either punched or kicked victim on the head
Teo Xuanwei
xuanwei@mediacorp.com.sg
ALL six friends were involved in the brawl outside an Orchard Towers pub last November, but a district judge ruled yesterday that three of them had played greater roles in the fatal assault.
For that, a district judge sentenced Mr Muhammad Sufian Zainal, 21, and Mr Helmi Abdul Rahim, 20, each to four years’ jail and six strokes of the cane. Mr Ahmad Nur Helmy Ahmad Hamdan, 20, was given four-and-a-half years in jail and eight strokes of the cane.
The fracas that took place in the wee hours of Nov 23 was sparked off after the victim, Mr Suhaimi Sulong, 37, approached a few of the youths — all gang members — outside Brown Sugar pub and made lewd comments and offered sexual services, court documents said. Enraged, some confronted Mr Suhaimi.
Yesterday, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Samuel Chua told the court that Mr Ahmad Nur Helmy was most culpable as he had thrown the first punch that led to his peers raining blows on Mr Suhaimi.
Mr Suhaimi died an hour after the beating and the trio in the dock had each either punched or kicked him on the head.
Mr Ahmad Nur Helmy’s lawyer argued that it was “virtually impossible to describe the actual role of each of the offenders, the nature and the extent of their involvement” in a group attack.
He appealed for his client to be imposed with the same punishment as his accomplices got last week — Mr Muhammad Ridhwan Mohd Roslan, 20, Lai Chee Kuen, 17, and Mr Ho Ching Boon, 18, were sent to the reformative training centre.
But DPP Chua said that it was because those three youths had played lesser roles in the “heinous offence”. Reformative training for the three men sentenced yesterday was inadequate because “the principle of deterrence should feature more strongly than the principle of rehabilitation”, given their roles in the incident.
For voluntarily causing grievous hurt, each of the trio could have been jailed up to seven years, in addition to a fine or caning.
We are satisfied that the offence is being treated with the gravity it should be, but it would have been apropos to emphasise that it is not acceptable for people to hurt each other based on strong prejudicial feelings.
- technorati: singapore, hate crime, queer, gay
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11.06.08
Posted in LGBT Rights, Politics at 12:59 am by sayoni
It is good news and bad news today - in the good news, Barrack Obama was elected President of the United States.
In the bad news, three states - Arizona, California and Florida, have voted to pass a constitutional amendment that defines “marriage as being between a man and a woman” only.
Read the rest of this entry »
- technorati: elections, USA, prop 8, obama, gay, queer
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11.03.08
Posted in Announcements, Emotional Health, Identity, Psychology & Research, Relationships, Religion at 12:00 am by sayoni
Sayoni proudly presents Sayoni Queer Women Survey 2008 Report (Singapore) - administered on lesbian, queer, bisexual and transgendered women living in Singapore.
Abstract
Objectives:
1.To gain some perspective on the actual needs of queer women, and what we can do about them
2.To provide free and accessible information to researchers, and act as a starting point for further research into the field
3.To ameliorate the dire lack of information on queer women in Singapore. Currently, there is no proper understanding of how the women’s queer community functions, other than biased and disjointed personal views.
The survey is broken down into five main aspects. Questions in each category are stream-lined and standardised for easy answering, by presenting most of the questions as rating questions where possible.
1. Introduction
General background.
2. Family, Friends and Work
Questions on how out the respondent is in their various social circles, how this group has reacted to the information, and the respondent’s intention to come out to that particular group.
3. Personal
Questions on a personal level relating to sexual orientation. Probes how the respondents come to realise their sexuality, different aspects of personal identity, and how their sexuality has affected them. Also includes information on relationships of respondents.
4. Financial
Questions to ascertain the financial status of queer women as a community - on income, occupation and industry, housing and car ownership.
5. Feedback on Sayoni and the community
Take note that the answers to these questions with the exception of two, are not presented in this report as they are meant for internal feedback.
This survey was not carried out with a null hypothesis in mind, and much of the information contained in this report is processed descriptive statistics. Where possible, averages and trends have been pre-computed, and presented along with a broad analysis of the data. This year, the data is presented in a much more visual format, as opposed to raw numbers in the
pilot run of 2006.
In the report of 2006, the data was broken down across Age, Ethnicity and Religion, as it is believed that these three different aspects affect the average queer woman in her views and social situation with respect to her sexuality. This year, due to the significant changes in methodology and presentation, we have decided to omit the comparison by Ethnicity and Religion, as the representation for minority ethnic groups is not high enough to allow accurate comparisons.
- technorati: queer, lesbian, singapore, statistics, women, survey
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11.01.08
Posted in LGBT Rights, Singapore Gay News at 3:37 pm by sayoni
This news was reported in the Straits Times.
3 others in Orchard Towers brawl will be sentenced Nov 6
By Sujin Thomas
BIRTHDAY party celebrations at an Orchard Towers pub last November turned ugly when six men ended up beating another to death.
After he was assaulted in the early hours of Nov 23, Suhaimi Sulong, 37, was taken unconscious to the Singapore General Hospital.
He died an hour later from head and neck injuries.
Yesterday, three of his attackers - Muhammad Ridhwan Mohd Roslan, 20, Ho Ching Boon, 17, and Lai Chee Kuen, 17 - were sent to the reformative training centre.
There, younger offenders are confined for between 18 months and three years and put through a tough regimen of foot drills, counselling, education and vocational training.
The packed courtroom was filled with teary eyed family members of the three men.
The remaining three in the dock - Muhammad Sufian Zainal, 21, Ahmad Nur Helmy Ahmad Hamdan, 20, and Helmi Abdul Rahim, 28 - will be sentenced on Nov 6.
According to court documents, the six had gone to the Brown Sugar pub on the second floor of Orchard Towers on the evening of Nov 22 to celebrate a friend’s birthday.
A few hours later, Lai and Ho left the pub briefly and were approached by Suhaimi, who asked them if they wanted oral sex. Both men declined.
Later, while Ahmad was combing his hair in a toilet, Suhaimi approached him with the same question. Ahmad responded with a hailstorm of vulgarities in Malay.
A few minutes later, he caught up with Suhaimi and asked if he was a homosexual. He was by then with Muhammad Sufian, Ho and Lai.
When Suhaimi ignored him, Ahmad punched him in the face till he fell onto the floor. Muhammad Sufian restrained Ahmad and helped Suhaimi up onto his feet.
As Suhaimi ran down the staircase, Ahmad again shouted vulgarities at him.
This time, Suhaimi stopped in his tracks and stared at Ahmad.
It would cost him his life.
Ahmad chased him down the staircase with Muhammad Sufian in tow. Meanwhile, Suhaimi had made a run for it, reaching the ground floor before Muhammad Sufian, who had earlier helped him, kicked him in the back.
Suhaimi fell to the ground and was kicked and punched by Ahmad, Muhammad Sufian, Ho and Lai.
Muhammad Ridhwan and Helmi, who were bystanders, also joined in.
The men stopped only when a taxi driver shouted at them. Later, he also called the police. By then, Suhaimi was unconscious.
The six men were subsequently arrested.
There has never been a reported hate crime in Singapore - not that it has not occurred before, just that it has been only whispered quietly between friends.
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10.28.08
Posted in Entertainment at 4:56 pm by sayoni
here! Films and Regent Releasing proudly presents:
I CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT trailer & poster premiered on Cinematical!
Please click here to view.
An exuberant, touching romantic comedy about clashing of the two worlds and cultures. Tala, a London-based Palestinian, prepares for her elaborate wedding in Jordan when she meets Leyla, a young British Indian woman who turns her world upside down.
I CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT stars Lisa Ray (WATER, KILL KILL FASTER FASTER), Sheetal Sheth (ABCD, THE WORLD UNSEEN), Rez Kempton (THE MYSTIC MASSEUR) and Nina Wadia (EASTEBDERS). The film was adapted from the writers and directors, Shamim Sarif (THE WORLD UNSEEN) best-selling novel and produced by Hanan Kattan (THE WORLD UNSEEN). I CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT was written, directed, financed and produced almost entirely by women - an Enlightenment Productions film.
I CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT opens in theaters on Friday, November 21, 2008
View trailer.
Download the poster
Press materials
Website for I CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT
- technorati: lesbian, queer, film
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10.25.08
Posted in LGBT Rights at 1:55 pm by sayoni
This news article is taken from here.
KUALA LUMPUR - ONE of Malaysia’s highest Islamic bodies has banned females from dressing or behaving like men and engaging in lesbian sex, saying it was forbidden by the religion.
The National Fatwa Council on Thursday issued its ruling following a two-day meeting that discussed recent cases of young women apparently behaving like men and exhibiting homosexual tendencies, state news agency Bernama reported.
Council chairman Abdul Shukor Husin told Bernama many young women admired the way men dress, behave and socialise, violating human nature and denying their femininity.
‘It is unacceptable to see women who love the male lifestyle including dressing in the clothes men wear,’ Mr Abdul Shukor was quoted as saying.
‘(Masculine behaviour) becomes clearer when they start to have sex with someone of the same gender, that is woman and woman,’ he said.
‘In view of this, the National Fatwa Council which met today have decided and taken the stand that such acts are forbidden and banned,’ he said.
Male homosexuality, considered against the order of nature, is illegal in Malaysia but lawyers say female homosexuality is technically permissible as there are no provisions for it under the law.
The Fatwa Council does not have jurisdiction in civil law, but the ruling appears to be an attempt to push female homosexuality towards illegality.
Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, where more than 60 per cent of its 27 million people are Muslim Malays who practice a conservative brand of the religion.
Until now, there was never a clear pronouncement on the status of lesbians in Islamic law (in South-East Asia). Given the proximity of Malaysia to Singapore, the influence is likely to spread to here and other South-East Asian countries.
However, we respectfully disagree with this pronouncement on two grounds: firstly, lesbianism is not an imitation of masculinity. Yes, some members of the community do dress in a masculine fashion, or behave as such. But not all. Loving another woman is not an expression of this masculinity, it simply is a manifestation of an innate trait.
Secondly, there are alternative views within Islam on the issue of homosexuality. A council of moderate Muslim scholars in Jakarta concluded that homosexuals and homosexuality are natural and created by God. (For news report, see here). For years, there have been Muslim people speaking up about their sexuality and exploring the junction between their faith and sexuality, ultimately reconciling the two.
We sincerely hope the government of Malaysia does not adopt this fatwa as law.
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08.23.08
Posted in Announcements, Singapore Gay News at 11:43 am by sayoni
Indignation 2008 season is now over - all good things must come to an end - and at the end of yet another successful pride month, Sayoni would like to thank all its supporters and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make our events possible. We would like to thank, as well, all the people who turned up at the events and made it vibrant.
Here’s wishing for another year of progress!
- technorati: indignation, 2008, queer, singapore, lesbian, gay, pride, sayoni
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08.13.08
Posted in Feminism, Singapore Gay News at 10:15 am by sayoni
Ms. Constance Singam, current president of AWARE, Singapore’s leading advocacy group for gender equality, will shed some light on the place of queer women within the feminist movement. Where have we been?
She will speak about political and historical context, difficulties negotiating for respect and diversity, her personal experiences and the future.
Find out more about the feminist movement in Singapore and our part in it.
About Constance Singam
Constance is well-known for being an active and vocal social activist and feminist. She has two degrees in Literature, including an MA.
Her recent publications include “A History of the TWC: Building Social Space in Singapore” and the essay “Quietly Resisting; Silently Subverting: The Wayward Ways of Singapore Women” (Postmodern Singapore, Select Publishing). She was a co-editor of the book “Re-Presenting Singapore Women” (Landmark Publications).
Her social contributions were as Founding Member of TWC1, TWC2, and MediaWatch and as the Past President of SCWO.
Constance was a Columnist in several publications, including “Her World” and “Today” and held AWARE presidency for two terms prior to the present one: 1987-1989, 1994-1996, 2007-present.
About AWARE
AWARE is Singapore’s leading advocacy group dedicated to promoting gender equality and understanding. Since its inception in 1985, AWARE has brought women’s perspectives to national issues and has focused on Research & Advocacy, Educational Programs, and Direct Services.
AWARE seeks to identify areas for improvement in gender equality, encourage positive change and support women in realising their highest potential. It believes that gains made by women are not gains made at the expense of men. Rather, they are gains which benefit families and society as a whole.
AWARE is a not-for-profit non-governmental organisation and is funded solely by donations, grants, and member subscriptions.
Date: Saturday, 16 August 2008
Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: 72-13
- technorati: queer, feminism, aware, lesbian, singapore, indignation
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08.09.08
Posted in Singapore Gay News at 1:25 pm by sayoni
“It’s so disgusting to see two men getting intimate!”
“Lesbian sex is unfathomable…”
“Homosexuals shouldn’t exist on this planet.”
Which of these statements is/are homophobic in nature?
AnJ Ho will take you inside homophobia, to find out from the perspective of research: What constitutes homophobia? What’s the profile of a typical homophobe like, and what might make a difference?
AnJ undertakes research at a local tertiary institution. Her research interests revolve around social psychology.
Date: Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: 72-13
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08.06.08
Posted in Entertainment at 12:01 am by sayoni
The wait is over! This entire process of nomination and voting has been really fun for all of us here (except the ones who has to count the votes). Much hair was torn by the voters in trying to decide the ranking, and much debate over the type of women we nominate. But for this year, this is it! Queer women have spoken their mind, and until next year, these women are our queens. And did we mention that some of the queens have given their much-surprised responses to the ranking?
Without further adieu… ranked first is….. [insert drumroll]
1. Rebecca Tan
It is not just that Rebecca is a complete girl-loving-girl, and unafraid to be out and about in the scene. With her Pan-Asian heritage and perfect features, there is not much of a question why we all like to keep looking at Rebecca Tan. In fact, we expect the traffic on this page to stop right at this photograph. All hail Rebecca!
Rest of the rankings can be found after the break:
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