Latest News

Students & LGBTQ+ Supporters Protest Outside MOE Building, 3 Of Them Arrested

5 Protest Against Discriminatory Treatment Of LGBTQ+ Students Outside MOE Building

UPDATE (6.22pm): A previous version of the article stated that the protesters were handcuffed. This was an editorial error — they were not handcuffed.

The article has been edited to reflect this.

A recent viral Reddit post of a transgender student who alleged discriminatory treatment by her school and the Ministry of Education sparked a conversation on social media.

On Tuesday (26 Jan), a group went outside the MOE building at Buona Vista to show their support for LGBTQ+ students.

Source

They called for an end to discrimination against these students in MOE schools, which they say is a long-standing issue.

However, around 30 minutes after the protest began, 3 of them were arrested.

They were reportedly told to leave by officers.

 

Protest at 26 Jan outside MOE building

The protest took place at around 5pm on Tuesday (26 Oct), outside the MOE building.

According to pictures taken by freelance journalist & activist Kirsten Han, a total of 5 people were there holding up signs calling for an end to discrimination against transgender students.

She reported that soon after the protest began, security officers showed up telling them to leave, and that they can’t take photos.

Source

Although 2 of them left, 3 remained.

Officers order protesters to leave

Next, several people came up to the protesters, who Ms Han reportedly said were plainclothes police officers.

Source

They were again reportedly told to leave the premises and were issued a Move-On order.

However, the protesters reportedly told the officers that they wanted to talk to each other first before making a decision.

Protesters arrested

Eventually, at around 5.30pm, police arrested the 3 of them.

A video shared by Ms Han shows the protesters led away by uniformed police personnel.

Source

You can view the video here.

Protesters reportedly said that other avenues weren’t successful

During the time before the arrest, officers apparently tried talking the protesters into leaving.

One of them cited “other avenues”.

However, according to Ms Han, the response was that there haven’t been other successful avenues.

Source

This may have led to their decision to conduct the protest today, despite knowing that doing so without a permit might result in their arrests.

Protest calls for end of discrimination against LGBTQ+ students in schools

In a media statement, Community Action Network SG pointed out that various organisations have raised concerns over discriminatory and intrusive practices at schools.

These practices include checks and controls on uniforms conforming to gender norms, as well as allegedly disrespecting and outing LGBTQ+ students to family and others without consent.

They also said that MOE has a duty to protect the human rights of transgender and other LGBTQ+ students, and condemned the recent statements they put out.

According to testimonies that the groups received, the treatment they’ve faced suggest that MOE’s current practices are not enough to tackle discrimination in schools.

This is a developing story, and we’ll update the story as more information arrives.

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at hello@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from Twitter and Twitter.

Jonathan Yee

Jonathan is a bedroom headbanger. His Kobo is never far from him.

Recent Posts

‘Tiger Candy’ contains erectile dysfunction medicine, may cause painful & exceedingly long erections: SFA

It has been marketed online as a candy that helps with male sexual enhancement.

23 Nov 2024, 12:11 am

Pop Mart pursuing legal action over unauthorised use of Labubu images by certain brands

"POP MART does not have any official licensed partners in Singapore," it said.

22 Nov 2024, 11:25 pm

Heavy rain on 22 Nov causes flash floods in Yishun & Potong Pasir, 127.7mm recorded in northern S’pore

51% of Singapore's average monthly rainfall in November fell in northern Singapore over less than…

22 Nov 2024, 10:27 pm

Pilot treats passengers to pizzas after emergency landing causes hours-long delay in the US

He made sure all the passengers were served before taking a slice for himself.

22 Nov 2024, 6:32 pm

Woman in China grows ‘trident’ flesh on fingernail, apparently due to improper & frequent manicures

The doctor recommended a 2-week gap between manicures to allow nails to recover.

22 Nov 2024, 6:08 pm

Loyal pet dog in China tracks owner’s scent for 16km to reunite with her in hospital

The dog stayed with its owner until she was discharged.

22 Nov 2024, 6:04 pm