Tan Kin Lian's views on homosexuality

Tan Kin Lian (陈钦亮; Chén Qīnliàng; born 9 March 1948) is a Singaporean businessman who served as the chief executive officer of NTUC Income between 1997 and 2007, before standing for the 2011 presidential election.

On 11 August 2023, Tan announced his intention to stand in the 2023 presidential election, with former presidential candidate Tan Jee Say acting as his proposer.

=2022= On 24 August 2022, a female Facebook user named "illobyanngee" made a screen capture of one of Tan's Facebook posts in which he penned:

"I wish to address two issues that are often raised against gay people:

1. Their behaviour is against nature. 2. They are becoming more aggressive in promoting their lifestyle.

I belong to the "normal" people and have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. I take this opportunity to speak in suppor of gay people.

1. It is not against nature to be gay. In nature, some creatures are homosexual. This could apply to some humans as well.

2. The gay people generally keep to themselves and live their private lives. They are not promoting their lifestyle to the "normal" majority. They only want to have the same rights, e.g. marriage, housing and property, that are enjoyed by the "normal" majority.

Their struggle for justice is similar to previous struggles by oppressed minorities." 

=2023=

On Wednesday, 23 August 2023, in the lead up to the 2023 Presidential Election, Wake Up Singapore published the following three posters on its Facebook page quoting Tan's views on LGBT rights:



"Diversity and differences shouldn't be given too much attention.

If you want to be a homosexual, do it privately.

If you want to do it outwardly, then you actually cause problems with younger people and so on.

So therefore, I hold the view that for LGBT, it's better that you do it privately. We don't disturb you, you know.

But you don't try to bring your views into the public because there are other people who find it quite difficult for religious and other reasons. That'll be my broad view.

So, when the LGBT community wants to be more visible, I think that it is not necessary. It is not useful.

I agree on repealing 377A but I think that community shouldn't push things too far. I agree that it shouldn't be make illegal.

If they live their life in private, they should be free from harassment. I'm quite clear on that.

If they want more recognition for housing, I'm quite open. I think it's a matter of rights, they should be given housing. Marriage rights may be a bit more difficult. These issues are not so easy to decide.

I'm liberal, but no so extra liberal. There must be some reasonable line.

But this is an issue that I am not so clear about."

On Thursday, 24 August 2023,

=See also=
 * Tharman Shanmugaratnam's views on homosexuality
 * Ng Kok Song's views on LGBT rights
 * Singapore politicians' views on homosexuality

=References=
 * https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=607899731541167&set=pcb.607899784874495

=Acknowledgements=

This article was written by Roy Tan.