Uniting, not dividing
So if you haven’t heard, there’s been a big ruckus from some Singaporeans about Adam Lambert picking up his instrument at MediaCorp’s upcoming New Year countdown party, Countdown 2016.
Why?
Because he’s gay, thats why.
Also because he is known for his provocative performances.
Source
We’re sure you must have heard about the petition to remove Lambert from the show, and the initiative has already garnered its target of 20,000 signatures.
The petition, and the petition against the petition
Organisers of “Petition against Adam Lambert performing in Countdown 2016” stopped accepting signatures on Sunday (29 Nov), after 20,065 digital signatories expressed support. The petition had described Lambert as “a performer fraught with controversy even in his home country”.
Source
The petition described the American Idol runner-up as “hardly the kind of performer to send off our historic Jubilee Year or to usher in the New Year.
“His track record displays a flagrant disregard for the sensitivities of his audience – including whether or not children are watching,” wrote the petition‘s creators.
The petition was signed off by “concerned citizens”, “concerned parents” and “concerned individuals”.
While the petition’s description has since been changed, here are a couple of quotes of the original petition description from theonlinecitizen that suggest the petition was homophobic in nature:
In addition, a simple online search would reveal that he is well-known for his active promotion of a highly sexualized lifestyle and LGBT rights, both of which are contrary to mainstream Singaporean values.
Allowing Adam Lambert to perform as the star of Countdown 2016 shows disregard for the values of a majority of family-centric Singaporeans who have consistently resisted the promotion of western liberal ideas about family values and societal models.
As the petition closed, the organizers updated with this:
Source
The organisers of the petition even acknowledged Lambert’s response: “Thankfully, the performer himself has responded that he will be putting on a different show, which is hopefully in better taste and shows greater restraint.”
Except Adam didn’t really say his show was going to be different.
The Response
In his press release, Adam responded:
My performance at Celebrate 2016 will not only be a spectacular one, it will celebrate the entire human family in all its diversity.
I am a uniter, not a divider, and I believe in celebrating the human heart and spirit. I have put together an entirely new show experience for my fans that is kicking off in Singapore.
The singer said in a press release that he is a “uniter, not a divider”, and he believed in celebrating “the human heart and spirit”. He added that his show is “based primarily on new material, and it promises to be a thoughtful and sophisticated insight into the pursuit of happiness and self-worth”.
So if you notice, there is clearly no mention of “putting on a different show” — in fact, Adam just reinforced about the fact that the show will go on.
Singaporeans… *insert heavy sigh*
What this episode has really showed us though, is that as much as the Government might want to be liberal and allow stuff, Singaporeans are still angry enough about certain things to set up entire petitions.
Allowing Adam Lambert — a singer well known for his sexual orientation — to perform at the national countdown show is an unspoken step to being more liberal with the LGBT society in Singapore. Steps are being taken for Singapore to be a more inclusive country.
However, the main problem now, lies on us Singaporeans. Specifically the anti-LGBT community in Singapore. They are the non-accepting ones.
While we understand that there are people out there who are not favourable of the idea of having Lambert to perform, well then just keep it to yourself. You don’t have to go around imposing your own ideals on everyone. Everyone has different opinions and beliefs, so it’s only right to be fair.
Even Class 95’s Muttons have broke it down for us with a super simple analogy which we’re sure all Singaporeans will definitely understand.
We really hope everyone has learnt a thing or two from this series of events.
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With reference to Channel NewsAsia, iPetitions, Yahoo! Singapore
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