My article is in TCO!!!
Previously for my media writing assignment to write a breaking news, I interviewed Dr. Khoo Hoon Eng and wrote about her plan to start LGBTQ and her experience of having two gay sons who came out to her... And guess what, this story is published on my school's website, The Campus Observer!!!
(This is the story)
New online support forum for parents of homosexuals
By Alvin Chia
Student contributor
6 December 2006
When Professor Khoo Hoon Eng’s 15-year-old son told her that he was gay, the biochemistry lecturer and researcher at the School of Medicine at NUS wished she had guidance from other parents in similar situations.
Now, 10 years later, Khoo is becoming the first mother in Singapore to start an online forum for parents with gay children.
“The online forum, which will be named Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals Questionings, will provide a platform for parents who may wish to remain anonymous, to share their stories and discuss their experiences in a safe environment,” she said.
“You see LGBT support groups for parents in the Western countries, but there is nothing in Singapore,” she explained. “My dream is to open up a forum and advertise to people, to welcome them to speak openly.”
Ng Ah Cheok, a mother in her forties, is looking forward to the operations of the forum.
“I felt very lost when my son told me he was gay. I did not know who to turn to for advice then,” Ng said. “Soon, I will be able to receive support and offer comfort to other parents in similar situations as I know this is a difficult process.”
With the help of friends from the Association of Women from Action and Research, Dr. Khoo said she hopes the forum will be ready by December.
The biochemistry lecturer also has hopes that the forum will help parents understand the issue of homosexuality better and to put aside their prejudices and accept their gay children.
“You love your children before you discover they are gay. Why should that change?” she said. “Being gay is just one aspect of life. Your children will still play their part in society. You love your children and you want them to be happy.”
Khoo’s account of the “coming out” process of her two gay sons, Shin Ming, 25, and Shin En, 22, and how she coped with it has been documented in the book, “SQ21 – Singapore Queers in the 21st Century.”
The publication, which was launched in August by counselling-cum-support group, Oogachaga, contains 14 other “coming out” stories contributed by Singaporeans. It is currently a bestseller at local major bookstores.
Just like the book, LGBT has been designed with the aim of removing prevalent stereotypes about the gay community. Apart from providing information on homosexuality, the online forum will also feature discussion groups for supporters and friends of the site.
Dr. Khoo said she hopes more people will volunteer and lend their support to her initiative.
Even though the forum has yet to be launched, it has already earned its share of supporters. NUS undergraduate Koh Fu Ming is one of them.
“I hope this forum will help my mother clear certain misconceptions about homosexuality,” he said. “Although she does not go online, I can print and pass her the articles contributed by other parents.”
Copyright © The Campus Observer 2006
(This is the story)
New online support forum for parents of homosexuals
By Alvin Chia
Student contributor
6 December 2006
When Professor Khoo Hoon Eng’s 15-year-old son told her that he was gay, the biochemistry lecturer and researcher at the School of Medicine at NUS wished she had guidance from other parents in similar situations.
Now, 10 years later, Khoo is becoming the first mother in Singapore to start an online forum for parents with gay children.
“The online forum, which will be named Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals Questionings, will provide a platform for parents who may wish to remain anonymous, to share their stories and discuss their experiences in a safe environment,” she said.
“You see LGBT support groups for parents in the Western countries, but there is nothing in Singapore,” she explained. “My dream is to open up a forum and advertise to people, to welcome them to speak openly.”
Ng Ah Cheok, a mother in her forties, is looking forward to the operations of the forum.
“I felt very lost when my son told me he was gay. I did not know who to turn to for advice then,” Ng said. “Soon, I will be able to receive support and offer comfort to other parents in similar situations as I know this is a difficult process.”
With the help of friends from the Association of Women from Action and Research, Dr. Khoo said she hopes the forum will be ready by December.
The biochemistry lecturer also has hopes that the forum will help parents understand the issue of homosexuality better and to put aside their prejudices and accept their gay children.
“You love your children before you discover they are gay. Why should that change?” she said. “Being gay is just one aspect of life. Your children will still play their part in society. You love your children and you want them to be happy.”
Khoo’s account of the “coming out” process of her two gay sons, Shin Ming, 25, and Shin En, 22, and how she coped with it has been documented in the book, “SQ21 – Singapore Queers in the 21st Century.”
The publication, which was launched in August by counselling-cum-support group, Oogachaga, contains 14 other “coming out” stories contributed by Singaporeans. It is currently a bestseller at local major bookstores.
Just like the book, LGBT has been designed with the aim of removing prevalent stereotypes about the gay community. Apart from providing information on homosexuality, the online forum will also feature discussion groups for supporters and friends of the site.
Dr. Khoo said she hopes more people will volunteer and lend their support to her initiative.
Even though the forum has yet to be launched, it has already earned its share of supporters. NUS undergraduate Koh Fu Ming is one of them.
“I hope this forum will help my mother clear certain misconceptions about homosexuality,” he said. “Although she does not go online, I can print and pass her the articles contributed by other parents.”
Copyright © The Campus Observer 2006
posted by Alvin | 1:39 PM
2 Comments:
at the launch of SAFE, Hoon Eng told us that she was quite happy to see your interview of her appear in the campus observer.
good job!
perhaps in haste, the very long full name wasn't published properly: SAFE - Supporting, AFfirming & Empowering our LGBTQ friends and family
Hi Sharn, thanks for the comment =)
I'm glad that Hoon Eng is happy. Hopefully the article can help the website gain publicity. I'm really proud of her initiative =)
Yes, I've emailed the editor of the campus observer to change LGBTQ to SAFE. He is overseas from 11 Dec to 16 Dec. Yup... He'll probably change it when he's back
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