Taiwan's A-mei's kisscam vs. Singapore's anti-gay laws

    1 of 2 2 of 2

      Here's a kissing game that had more to it than meets the eye.

      Taiwanese pop star A-mei showed her support for same-sex equality by turning a concert in Singapore on January 26 into a kissing game that included gay and straight couples.

      While both A-mei and audience members waved rainbow flags, a roving kisscam captured same- and opposite-sex couples in the audience and projected images of them kissing onto a massive screen behind the Mandarin pop star.

      Although the video may appear to be lighthearted fun, the images also arrive amid controversies brewing over gay rights. Debates about anti-gay laws in Singapore were sparked by the Southeast Asian city-state's Christian community over the past few weeks.  

      Homosexual acts between men remain illegal and punishable with imprisonment.

      In fact, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong just reaffirmed today that section 377A of the penal code (which criminalizes sex between men, even if consensual) will remain in place. And what was his rationale? “Why is that law on the books? Because it’s always been there and I think we just leave it,” he was reported to have said.  

      Accordingly, other possible explanations excuses that the prime minister can utilize in the future include "Well, everyone else was doing it", "You started it","I know you are but what am I?", and "I'm telling! MOOOOM!"

      A-mei has long been vocal about her support for gay rights. She first participated in the Taiwan Pride Parade as a Rainbow Ambassador in 2007 and she has also raised funds for HIV/AIDS organizations.

      The Mandopop star, who is an ethnic Puyuma, is also known by her birth name Chang Hui-mei and her aboriginal name Gulilai Amit.

      Comments

      2 Comments

      Rebecca

      Jan 30, 2013 at 6:21pm

      Well, we clearly know where you stand.

      Liang

      Feb 10, 2013 at 7:14am

      I demand the christian to turn vegetarian, as it is a sin to eat meat (Buddhist),
      Pray five times a day and ladies not allowed to drive(Islam)', ban macdonald (Hinduism)