24 « April « 2009 « Mathia Lee ~ Plans and Preoccupations

They came for me

Posted in Life and Death, Social Commentary by mathialee on April 24, 2009

I am an AWARE Comprehensive Sex Education trainer.
Here are some updates in response.
I also strongly denounce using death threats against anyone.

official stand: http://we-are-aware.sg/cse

Online Petition http://www.gopetition.com/online/27163.html

Contents of blog post

1. Exclusive info passed on to me
2. Response to the Media articles released SINCE 24th Apr.
3. THE email from Thio Su Mien
4. Links to all online posts about Aware’s Comprehensive Sex Ed that I could find

Latest : Updated 25th Apr 3pm New additions of the day in RED

(mathialee@yahoo.com)

sometimes everything seems so bad it makes me want to cry and stay in one corner and hide.
but then, a bomb gets dropped into my corner and i’ve to deal with it.
I’m glad I spoke up for the GLBTQ when I had the chance to.
Because today, you spoke up for me

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ITEM 1. Exclusive info passed on to me

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IMPORTANT:
Some ex-AWARE staff has informed us that the EGM preparations are now handled by the New Exco’s VOLUNTEERS ONLY.
The AWARE staff (REALLY BRAVE PEOPLE, Please send them flowers) have been reassigned to do other things. Or fired ( Manager got fired on the night of the Great Lock Out remember?).

I vouch for the authenticity of this info. They are people working at the heart of the AWARE saga but cannot use their name publically now.
I pdf it so that it does not get altered as it gets circulated

Contradictions made by the NEW Exco-
http://www.geocities.com/mathia_lee_yu_chun/Contradictions_Exco.pdf

The raw transcript of the Press Release for the 24th Apr articles
http://www.geocities.com/mathia_lee_yu_chun/Raw_transcript_Aware_23Apr_PressConf.pdf

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ITEM 2 Response to the Media articles released 24th Apr
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http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_367834.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/424496/1/.html

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/424471/1/.html

On the death threats the New Exco received. I want to declare my STRONG PROTEST against the use of death threats against anyone — not matter how much you may disagree, or even how much wrong they do you , death threats must NEVER be used, and NEVER be condoned.

On allowing Men to vote in AWARE. —– There are 2 schools of thought within Aware, one believing it should be a Women’s organisation by ONLY women (so that it’s representative of women’s needs) , and the other believing that you don’t have to be a woman to stand up for gender equality (like you don’t have to be an animal to stand up for animal rights, a child to stand up for children’s rights). We put this motion to VOTE, and we respect the voted outcome

We do not take over an organisation simply because we belong to one school of thought or another

On the positions of all the players –

The Old Guard of AWARE makes their statements — http://we-are-aware.sg/statements
The New Exco makes their statements — http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_364307.html, http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_367834.html
The Government makes their statements — http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_368322.html
The gay community makes their statements — http://www.yawningbread.org/ , http://www.fridae.com/newsletters/newsletter.php

I’m waiting for the National Council of Churches of Singapore http://www.nccs.org.sg/NCCS/Statements.html to make their statement.
With the public sentiment the way it is, the NCCS, I believe,should NOT remain silent.
The closest thing is a 2003 statement on homosexuality http://www.nccs.org.sg/NCCS/Statement_Homosexuality.html
But the AWARE saga is NOT about homosexuality per se. It is about how different parties put forth differing views in civil society, where each others’ views conflict at a fundamental personal level. I’ll like to hear NCCS. If you’ll like to as well, do write in http://www.nccs.org.sg/NCCS/Contacts.html

http://www.theseminarianmovie.com/

Joshua Lim is currently making a movie about a student in a Christian Theology Seminary who’s in a gay relationship. It speaks of how he struggles with his faith and love. Joshua is a Singaporean film-maker who is now pursuing a Masters in Theology and the Arts at Fuller Theological Seminary.

His first film, The Olive Depression was about what it means to retain your humanity, your choice, your freedom, in an environment where these are crimes.

http://mathialee.wordpress.com/2009/02/15/the-olive-depression/

On what Dr Thio Su Mien alleged about our Comprehensive Sex Ed program
official stand: http://we-are-aware.sg/cse

Personal Stand:

On Abstinence

Our class takes a lifelong perspective. All school education applies throughout our lives, and most girls would have sex at some point, whether it is next year, next decade or when they are 50.

Abstinence only message will be applicable for now, and will no longer be applicable when they are married. Focuses on teenage sex gives people the false impression that sex is dangerous only for teens, and age alone somehow makes it safe. That’s not true.

The independently verifiable facts are that each year approx 30K babies are born, 12 – 14 K abortions are done, of which 2/3 are on married women. The majority of female HIV patients are infected by their faithful partners – boyfriend or husband.

This was unacceptable to me, that in an educated society like Singapore, women are putting themselves in a position where they even have to consider an abortion – I wanted to do something about this. And so we need to empower women with the info and skills to prevent them from getting into this position at all. I believe that this is the most rational position that anyone who is genuinely respectful of life ( i’m coming from a Christian perspective here, and I am a Christian) can take.

What do we teach about homosexuality?

We don’t impose our views. In the first 2 sessions, we explore view points by asking the students what they think. Our aim is to open up students to the fact that there are many different views, and to open up their minds to all these different views so that they can think about it, and make their own choices based on their own personal values.

The bottom line is , respect for each other, even though we disagree. If the students bring it up, we acknowledge that some religions do hold homosexuality as being wrong. But just as we’ve learnt to respect each other’s religion where dietary restrictions are concerned, and not to impose on each other, we can also respect each other’s religious views in the same manner.

Our Program contents?

Part 1 : Exploring different views and values — we do not use the terms “right” and “wrong” on any view

Part 2: factual info on contraception and STIs — here we do have “right” and “wrong” eg. AIDS can be cured is clearly wrong

We do tell the girls that condoms are not 100% effective, and that it depends a lot on the user to be consistent, and to use it correctly. Which is why we teach condom usage — there are wives who suspect their husbands of philandering and using condoms is one way they can protect themselves. I bring up research done in NUH where only 1 out of 2000 patients cited condom failure as the reason for abortion — most cite reasons where abortion could be prevented had they used the appropriate contraception.

Part 3: Negotiation and communication skills — That girls all have sex for fun or are simply promiscuous is a myth. We hear stories where girls have sex because they did not know how to communicate / negotiate they’re wants. We also know that many girls go out with people they know very little of, and they want to be safe but don’t know how. So we explore different ways they can be safe, but do not impose a singular method that they must follow. Eg. Giving scenarios and discussing which is safe and which is more vulnerable.

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ITEM 3 : THE email from Thio Su Mien
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Someone told me that this broke out on STOMP:

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PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

Dear All

Please see Attachments on some recent developments in Aware. Aware is a woman’s organization which conducts comprehensive sexual programmes for girls and it runs this programme in some of the schools. They encourage girls to express their full sexuality and this includes experimenting with other girls. It would be a good idea to join it and change its focus to other problems of women and families.

..Please ask your like-minded friends to join Aware so that you can give the vote to those who wish to be an agent of change for the Lord. They could also contribute to the activities of the oprganization as there is much to be done for women and families in this dowturn of the economy. Unfortunately, I cannot surface but shall be assisting in the background . I attach the Aware membership application form for your use. The Aware application form has a section as to who ( if any) told you about Aware. You can just leave it blank . Please let me know whether you can join and attend the AGM which will be towards the end of March 2009. The fee is $40/ and should be mailed to the Aware Office ( see application form).

Look forward to hearing from you. Please call me. May I have your phone no?

Blessings,
Su Mien

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ITEM 4. Links to all online posts about Aware’s Comprehensive Sex Ed that I could find

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(please add more links in my comments if you know of more)

http://we-are-aware.sg/cse

http://www.aware.org.sg/?page_id=88

News

Aware’s holistic approach to sex education

http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20080425-61776.html

Blogs

AWARE’s accomplishments (from our facebook group)

http://sgblogs.com/entry/contributions-made-aware-over-years/335075

Need to Bring Sexuality into the Open (Constance’s letter about AWARE’s CSE)

http://sgsexnews.blogspot.com/2007/05/need-to-bring-sexuality-into-open.html

Education key to tackling problem of underage sex (Written by AWARE)

http://a1preview.asia1.com.sg:90/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=3875283099c5e110VgnVCM100000430a0a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=2f695ef5d34d4110VgnVCM100000bd0a0a0aRCRD

Sex Education — 3rd world mentalities in a supposed 1st world country

http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=1617

http://singapuranews.multiply.com/journal/item/1680 (written by Mathangi, fellow AWARE member)

Discussion about her article is here: http://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?t=10781&highlight=sexuality

Mathia’s Articles

( STRICTLY REPRESENTATIVE OF MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS ONLY, UNLESS STATED)
Just because I have my own personal views does not mean that I have to impose it on others, during our CSE class.

A lifelong approach to sexuality education is needed.

http://mathialee.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/a-lifelong-approach-to-sexuality-education-is-needed/

(Unpublished letter for AWARE)

AWARE’s comprehensive sex ed programme.

http://mathialee.wordpress.com/2008/12/17/aware_sex_education/ (published letter on behalf of AWARE)

http://mathialee.wordpress.com/2008/12/27/thorny-issues-with-sex/

The limitations of the “Be Faithful” message

http://mathialee.wordpress.com/2008/12/29/be_faithful_fallacy/

Teenage Magazine gives misleading advice on teenage sex

http://mathialee.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/teenage-magazine-gives-misleading-advice-on-teenage-sex/ (Unpublisehed letter for AWARE)

Condom Effectiveness

http://mathialee.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/condoms-85-or-99-effective/