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YOUR VIEW: I'm not ashamed of being gay, but I'm ashamed to be Singaporean

The Pink Dot mascot between the mascots for fear and ignorance. Singapore's High Court upheld the controversial Section 377A law criminalising sex between two men, as the LGBT movement continues in Singapore (Yahoo! file photo)

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This time next week, I will be marking my second anniversary in starting a new life--and living a new dream -- in Canada.

Two years ago, I stuffed all my belongings into just two trolley bags and traveled 22 hours halfway across the world. I would have traded a comfortable home, a nice car and an established career for an uncertain future in a distant land.

Many have asked me why -- and so, I shall reply.

Sure, I had a choice. I could have chosen to stay; to wait for a revolution in societal norms; to hope against hope that uber-conservative Singapore mans up to its pledge and "build a democratic society based on justice and equality".

But see, here's the thing. I'm gay. I'm not ashamed of it, not by a long shot.

What I am ashamed of, however, is being part of a country that has the temerity to decry another country's human rights records, while at the same time making homosexuality a criminal offence.

I am ashamed to be associated with a Government that boasts of its democratic freedoms while outlawing public assembly.

I am ashamed to walk amongst a people who are so widely traveled and yet so parochial, so narrow-minded and so infuriatingly judgmental.

In short, I am ashamed to be a Singaporean.

True, Canada might not do as well as Singapore economically. True, its healthcare system is not near as perfect compared to Singapore's. True, the weather there can be bitingly cold and miserable in winter. True, I have no friends, no home, no job waiting.

But Canada has one precious thing Singapore doesn't -- its belief in human dignity.

I have been to Canada just once, for all of three weeks. Yet those 20 days were the happiest days of my life. For the first time in a long, long time (the only other time being in Cambridge, England), I experienced true freedom -- the freedom to be myself, without having to suffer the backward glances, the rude remarks and the incessant gossips.

I breathed -- freely and deeply -- the air of acceptance and of respect.

In those few short days, I learnt what years of education in Singapore's vaulted education system was unable -- and unwilling -- to teach: that a truly First World country embraces its citizenry, especially the marginalised.

Canada in three weeks gave me what Singapore in 30 years couldn't -- a sense of belonging.

So yes, I am leaving. Not because Canada has more to offer in terms of material well-being, but because it welcomed me once -- not as a foreign talent but as a fellow human being on this road we call Life -- and I sincerely believe, it will welcome me again.

I'm finally going Home -- to where I really belong -- to the great North strong and free.

Wang Su Lin, 40
Public relations professional

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