Goodbye 2010 and Hello to 2011.

Just seconds after the blast celebration embracing 2011 AT HOME with my beloved ones, I felt so enthralled by the unexpected warmth of my own family. And...I know that I made a good choice of staying at home! Yet, at this moment too, I would like to apologise to all especially my friends for “betraying” you (unable to have an awesome time with you all). I wish you all have your fair share of splendid time celebrating the New Year too. Actually, it was in fact a difficult time for me to come to my ultimate decision. So much deliberation was held in my fragile mind till I finally decided I rather stay home than to “unintentionally hurt any parties”.

What is/are your resolutions? Is there a need in the first place? For me, yes! I will continue on the next post with my resolutions.

“If you love me, thank you! If you hate me, f**k you!”

Music please! The wonderful song “Love me or Hate me” by an English rapper and grime artist, Lady Sovereign was deliberately put to a blast as my whole body was engaging to its rhythmic beat.

Suddenly, the music came to a halt and as if being possessed, I fainted helplessly. Puffy clouds made their exclusive entrance into the red carpet of my imaginative mind; allowing myself to penetrate into the world “out of the reality”. In this world, I was a laughing stock. My strong viewpoint was deeply scrutinised with a tsunami of verbal rage. My blatant stand was subjected to multiple interpretations, each of which have an equal claim to being a valid viewpoint (although some who lack social sensitivity camouflaged their identities with courageous facade to express their temperament).

Now, let us get to serious business here! I would like to express my gratitude to all the people viewing my humble blog especially YOU who are reading this entry now. I truly appreciate those of you who spent considerable time to exchange substantiated thoughts and post remarkable comments for us to view the issue at a different angle, maybe using a different binocular too. Yet, like a permeable membrane allowing any substances to pass through it, my blog was occasionally infected with mindless cantankerous freaks who embrace emotional insensitivity to obliviously deliver destructive criticism. And of course I do NOT appreciate it at all! I want to make it clear once and for all. BE NICE AND SENSIBLE! If you have NOTHING to offer other than your derogatory remarks, I strongly suggest you to save your effort, time and GET THE HELL OUT OF MY BLOG! Your existence is somewhat meaningless here (I hope you could reflexively recognised that fact)! Still, if you persist in your scuffling way attempting to do what you wish to do, why should I stop you? Go on and enjoy your ride then! Hopefully, you gained something in return, perhaps, a great satisfaction, no?

Let me remind all of you. What I wrote was purely my opinion on the issue. What you wrote/thought were at your own discretion. You can have your say, can’t I have mine too? There maybe even no need for us to come to a consensus. My blog acts as a COMMUNICATION STRING for one to share his personal takings on a controversial issue. Do we not understand the meaning of CONTROVERSIAL? No rights or wrongs here! You may disagree or agree but please DO NOT EVER TRY TO SNAP the precious string off. Exercise the mutual respect by being nice and sensible. By now, hopefully, you have the intellectual capability to FULLY UNDERSTAND this and able to execute it perfectly!

Allow me to examine each of your precious comment. Your comment means a lot to me! I value it so long it is a constructive exchange of thoughts.

@ fongxuanqi: Thanks for your open-mindedness comment.

First, "medical scientists could probably argue" basically means they are merely postulating. Why should they? Could there be a strong repulsion towards the agreement of oneself of choice? Why must one be tied down to research findings to prove his own identity? The insecurity issue here has mounted and accumulated so much so that it caught the professionals' attention to "investigate". I think it's futile to do so. You choose what you want to do in life. If I force you to smoke/drink but you fervently oppose, do you think you will smoke/drink? There are neither obligations nor enforcements despite some temptations along the way which cloud your decisions. Still, it is all about choices!

People who are obsessed with the cause are usually the homosexuals themselves, are they not? They refused to accept that it is their preference to be one. So, they take an easy way out by slamming us with the “trustworthy research”. How much research was it needed to achieve the desirable cause? Find it yourself and you will probably be amazed that even the best “genetic proven answer/research” can prove little.

I do not neglect the possibility of the cause maybe due to genetic. “Genetic is just peculiarly minor factor for unlocking your psychic closets. NOT the MAIN FACTOR, maybe negligible too” if the social environment is too strong.

“Brains...” said Simon Baron-Cohen, professor of Developmental Psychopathology in the Departments of Psychiatry and Experimental Psychology at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, “can be resculptured by experience.” Is it not the brain that activates your neuro-cells and how you respond to every situation? If it can be manipulated by experience, how can genes be the perfect answer to one’s sexuality?

Still not convinced yet? I shall provide you with more research (if only that makes you believe my point that genetic is only minor perhaps negligible). Jorge Luis Borges (who won the Nobel Prize for Literature), Gabriel Garcia Marquez (a Colombian novelist), and Joseph Campbell (American mythologist, writer and lecturer), all have the same argument that “fictional thinking” (which German philosopher, Han Vaihinger, calls it) – an inductive and deductive thoughts – is the ORIGINAL FORM of human thoughts, that it HARDENS to our genes. Now, we can see that THOUGHTS INFLUENCE THE GENES. THOUGHTS CAN OVERRIDE THE GENES. That’s precisely what my point is all about. I repeat. “I do not neglect the possibility of the cause maybe due to genetic. It is just a minor perhaps negligible.” Surely these professionals’ words and research carry weight, do they not?

@ Andrew: Mind your words and ponder upon the phrase “Be nice and sensible”!

@ Mia Liana: Thanks for reading my blog! I apologised should you get confused with the flowery words but the issue is not any complicated of sort. I just think that genetic is largely not the factor for homosexuals. Even so, it is just a puny percentage of those “privileged ones”. What do you think?

@ Anonymous/Akhbar: Thanks for your refreshing view. I agree that Singapore should be more open with people declaring their sexual preference. But, I guess that “people do not choose to be a gay” rather not substantiated.

You should try asking a gay how he knows he was not straight. Some probably will answer you “I watched gay porn”, or even any plausible answers. Correct me if I am wrong, do it not makes sense to us that if genetic is the sole reason for the homosexuality, do homosexuals need “influential media” to determine his sexual orientation?

@ Kuharido: Terima kasih Cik Khalid. Pendapat yang cukup bernas terutama sekali tentang zaman Nabi Lut.

@ arigato ruzaimas: What makes you think I am right?

@ Anonymous/Maznah: Interesting points you bring up. Thanks!

@ Anonymous: Thanks for reading my blog! I apologised should you get confused with the flowery words. Btw, I am just an average person.

@ No 1 Fangirl: Your flattery remarks are duly noted with thanks. But, I am no smart person. Rather, I am an average soul who has a strong view on certain issues. And...Oh yes, the big black mole is real!

@ i turn gay 4 u: You have just proved my point that homosexuality is the exercise of one’s freedom of choice. Thank you for adding another concrete evidence to my opinion.

@ crystalwall: Thank you for your comment! Do read the highlighted points I have made above. Once again, “Genetic is not the main factor for unlocking your psychic closets. It is just peculiarly minor, perhaps negligible too.”

@ Char: I do not write my entry to show others my professionalism and/or maturity level. I wrote it based on what my sentiments said with supported evidences on hands. Still, I valued your suggestion to make my writing a balanced one since the wheels of our society are lubricated by objectivity. But, I hope when one is on the top of the moral totem pole, he should not conceal cowardice and/or suffer a grave personality defect. My blog should then serves as a COMMUNICATION STRING to connect people (biased or not) establishing an open discussion of thoughts.

If you truly “opine that the determination of whether one identifies him- or herself as being homosexual first has to be genetic” after clear “observation, discussion and much thought”, then why does your second and third point of examples are not in parallel to your stand?

“2) They, whether advertently or sub-consciously, ALLOW themselves TO FALL PREY TO THE CURRENT POPULATION CULTURE notion that being gay is in vogue in this era”.
By the word ALLOWING, does it not tell us that they CHOOSE to be gay? And does falling prey to the population culture determine his genetic manipulation that he is not straight?

“ 3) They have other ULTERIOR MOTIVES to being homosexual, e.g. to use their new gay status as leverage to hit on women.”
Certainly, their genes here are not the determinant for them to be homosexuals. But rather, they are psychotic individuals who seek sexual pleasure. Wait...with whom? Opposite gender, is it not? Erm...homosexuality is caused by genetic?

I totally agree with you that the environment do play a part in this issue too. But, “choosing to be gay” is NOT AN ILLUSION. Read the highlighted portion above if you are not convinced. Rather, deluding oneself with “genetically programmed to be gay” is a serious fallacy.

@ Michele: You need some serious help, my friend!

@ Amy ling: Duly noted with thanks! Haha...Mr Ganesh should be happy to note that you still remember his words and his lessons.

@ Anonymous: First and foremost, I know Amy well enough than you I guess. Why are you hiding your identity in the first place? Still, I thank you for reading and commenting on my blog.

“This answer to the question of the reason behind homosexuality - genetics - is really not an 'oversimplification'. It may seem so only because it is so STRAIGHT-FORWARD. Contrary to being oversimple, GENETICS IS REALLY A VERY COMPLEX BRANCH OF SCIENCE with many NUANCES that are still being GRAPPLED with by the TOP SCIENTISTS.”
Now, I think you are the one who is confused with your own stand. You claimed that genetic being the reason behind homosexuality is not an oversimplification because it is very straight-forward. But then, you go on and said even the TOP SCIENTISTS ARE GRAPPLING on MANY NUANCES of genetic. Now, if the TOP SCIENTISTS are unsure about the full spectrum of genetic in the human’s body, how could you (presumably an undergraduate) can be so optimistic that genetic is so STRAIGHT-FORWARD behind homosexuality?

“If they chose to be homosexual, then why would they shy away from acting like one?” Perhaps, you should see the world, my friend. Open up your horizon! Have you seen and heard the American Pop Singer, Lady Gaga’s speech “The Prime Rib of America”? Are you not in Singapore when the debatable gay rights are in the hot bed of the society? Do you know that under the Singapore law, gay sex is punishable by a maximum of two years in jail? Plus, did you not write this “those who refuse to acknowledge their sexual orientation lack the guts to do so (but how much are they to be blamed, considering the stigma society attaches onto homosexuals?)”. Now, do you understand why some shy away to declare that they are homosexuals? Who is confused now?

Gosh...I think you mistook my stand. I did not say that “NO WAY GENETIC CAN BE THE REASON FOR HOMOSEXUALITY”. But, rather “it is just peculiarly minor, perhaps negligible too.” The percentages of those who are “genuinely genetically programmed” are very small in comparison to your massive claim that it is. Go on and research if you please! You’ll be amazed! And for your information, do read the highlighted portion above to fully understand my stand.

Thank you all for reading!

Close the genetic curtain and open up the window of choices!

I have to confess that I am dipping my toe into politically dangerous waters. To some, this may be a taboo subject to discuss about. Yet, a strong sentiment steaming with excitement has created a magnificent propensity for me to discuss the topic: HOMOSEXUALITY with the general public. This provocative discussion might just ignite sparks of resentments. Thus, I have to clear the air that below are purely my opinions. Undoubtedly, you have the personal rights to agree, provide some clarifications as well as offer your different point of view.

“When and why does one becomes a homosexual? What is/are the practical justification(s) behind their actions and behaviours?” I believe that only the FREEDOM OF CHOICE has the perfect answer to these controversial questions. Not genetic certainly! (so be it if some of you have already composed a powerful fervour of thundering infuriation).

I find the subtle sentences such as “I’m born to be a gay/lesbian!”, “I basically can’t explain why I’m function as such.” and “I think I’m genetically formed to be a homosexual.” rather unconvincing. In fact, these sentences invoke and emanate an insecurity issue of one self.

Hatred and a paroxysm of impotent rage towards homosexuals are obviously not the feelings I had for them. Yet, the circumstantial evidence by quirk of fate (an inexplicable burst of cell growth) delivered a pertinacious belief. The genetic factor, which obliviously neglects prosaic factors like the social environment, is an oversimplification answer to a complex issue. Perhaps, it has unwittingly evoked an avalanche of sympathy for the “unfortunate predicament”.

I had an acquaintance (I wish you are reading this too) that drowns me in his verbosity pool of miraculous ideology without a slightest hint of embarrassment. His “technical immaculately tailored” argument for his true nature goes like this:

Him: “Hey, stop talking as if you know me! I’m a homosexual.”

Me: “Oh well...I may not know you personally. But certainly, I’ve friends who are homosexuals too. May I ask you when do you realise that you are one?”

Him: “I watched gay porn. I’ve a strange feeling and I realised I’m gay.” (After that, he metaphorically slammed research and more research showing me that genetic is the factor for his “shifting persona”).

How hilarious was that? Is it not more of his choice than the mutilation of his genes? He should have joined the coyotes howling at the moon. And, I am pretty positive that this is not an isolated case. There are many more “genetic homosexuals” out there who live their diminutive lives of insecurity in quiet Thoreauvian desperation.

Instead of being like Chief Joseph, the great leader of the Nez Perce, who on surrender proclaimed through his tears, “I will fight no more forever” (in this case of inference resorting to push the blame on the extra chromosome Y), why not we nod in agreement with Paul Tillich, a German-American theologian and Christian existentialist philosopher, who advocate people to exercise “the courage to be”? Since the freedom of choice is the germinating seed of this contentious issue, I urged ardently for one (especially the homosexuals) to avoid the deluding clouds of insecurity. Please have the colossal confidence to claim that you CHOOSE to be a homosexual.

Most of us, at least for me, will respect you for your decisive affirmation of life. So stop producing a chunk of research (that shows even way more insecure you are) that genetic is the MAIN factor for unlocking your psychic closets. It is just a peculiarly minor, maybe negligible too.

I think that the perpetual quest for social acceptance can be easier if homosexuals commit themselves to their significant preference. The general public would perhaps be more willing to spare the thought for their personal choice than fervently protest towards their psychological insecure identity.

Once again, I have to remind you that all the above are solely my humble perspective. You may wish to comment and share your different spectrum of horizon! I am more than pleased to read them but just as a gentle reminder, be nice and sensible.