NYU's New Anti-Gay Professor

New York University Law School has hired a new Human Rights professor. Dr. Li-ann Thio, a professor at the National University of Singapore, will be teaching two courses during the Fall 2009 semester as a Global Visiting Professor of Law at NYU.

This professor has been outspoken against gay rights in Singapore. She argued before the parliament to keep statute 377A which criminalizes homosexual sex. She made outrageous claims such as "diversity is not a license for perversity" and "anal sex is like shoving a straw up your nose to drink". Dr. Li-Ann Thio calls "homosexuality a gender identity disorder" and a "moral wrong that cannot be compared to a human right." She supported a 15,000 dollar fine against a television station that portrayed a gay family and a child.

Students, LGBT and human rights activists are outraged at NYU's decision to bring in this controversial and homophobic woman.

She is scheduled to teach two classes: Human Rights in Asia and Constitutionalism in Asia. The classes are in jeopardy of being canceled since many students refuse to sign up.

Please sign the petition in opposition to Dr. Thio Li-Ann teaching at NYU.

Singaporeans Gay & Straight to Celebrate Diversity and LGBT Equality!

On May 16, in celebration of diversity and LGBT equality, the Pink Dot Campaign is calling for Singaporeans to gather in the Hong Lim park at 4:30pm to form a pink dot that will be photographed from air.

The organizers remind attendees that the gathering is not a march or a protest — it’s just a simple call for fair-minded people to show their support for a more inclusive future.



H/T to AKA William.

"Voices Against 377" - Human Rights for India/Singapore!

‘Voices Against 377 is a coalition of Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) and progressive groups based in Delhi. It is a point of intersection and dialogue between various social movements that these groups represent, where a united voice is being articulated against Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalizes private consensual sexual acts deemed to be against the order of nature.

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code is cited below:

“377. Unnatural Offences.
Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.”

The law penalizes certain sexual acts equally. For example oral sex, regardless of whether it is heterosexual or homosexual; even penile-masturbation of one person by another – is considered criminal. Although facially neutral, the law has effectively stigmatized and criminalized a section more than others, namely same-sex desiring people, including those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), hijra, kothi and other Queer people. The law has been used by the police to intimidate same sex desiring people and has been a source of serious human rights violations."



Sign the "Voices Against 377" Petition!