Mediacorp, the state-owned broadcast network in Singapore, has apologized for airing a storyline of a popular soap opera that depicted gay men as predators.
My Guardian Angels tells the story of three single mothers struggling to raise their children in modern Singapore. One recent storyline which began in April and spanned seven episodes, depicted a closeted basketball coach seducing his young, male students and infecting them with STDs. The storyline concluded with the coach going to jail for child molestation.
Now, after weeks of public backlash, Mediacorp has issued an apology, saying it had “no intention to disrespect or discriminate against any persons or community. We are sorry if we have offended anyone or caused any distress.” The network further told The Straits Times it had “no intention to disrespect or discriminate against the LGBTQ community in the drama.” Rather, the point of the storyline was to “encourage young people to be aware of potential dangers and not be afraid to speak up and protect themselves.”
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LGBTQ activist groups had widely criticized the storyline as reinforcing the misconception that gay men molest children, and more broadly, for depicting queer people as lascivious villains.
“Propagating distorted stories over the most popular free-to-air channels is unbecoming and highly irresponsible, and further deepens discrimination and stigma against LGBT people,” the gay rights group NGO Action for AIDS said in a statement.
Action For AIDS, a grassroots organization dedicated to fighting HIV, also condemned the series. “To our knowledge, there is no evidence that homosexual males have a greater propensity to offend against children than heterosexual males,” the group stated. “The portrayal of gay men as pedophiles further perpetuates falsehoods that create further suffering among an already marginalized and stigmatized population.”
Meanwhile, actor Chase Tan who played the role of the coach, also issued an apology on social media. “I’m deeply saddened that the role I played has caused distress in the community and I’d like to emphasize that it was never my intention,” he said via Instagram. “I’m an aspiring actor and every opportunity given to me is precious. I do not mean to disrespect anyone.”
Queer people in Singapore still face wide discrimination. Sex between two consenting males remains outlawed, as do same-sex marriage and adoption, while LGBTQ people do not enjoy legal protections against discrimination.
Catholicslutbox
It’s Singapore, what did you expect?
wooly101
Oh people, get a grip: it is only a storyline. What a gay character can’t be bad in a series?
jjose712
The problem is not that and you know it.
13 RW had several problematic gay storylines, but the show had more gay characters.
It’s the same with minorities all the time, when the only member of a minority in the story is the villain you are showing your true colors
Doug
Not in Singapore, of all places. It’s a very homophobic little island and the majority of its citizens haven’t been educated about homosexuality. They believe stuff like what’s described in this tv show because they don’t have much exposure to the alternative. I know because I grew up there.
GaybyGod
The young LGBT kids there must be always on alert and in the closet. Probably many of them live a full false life, get married to some unsuspecting woman, and drag her into the same un full filled life that they created. It’s sad because Singapore has so much potential to be in the forefront of advancements in the world. Instead, they cling on to old draconian fears about LGBT people, while their citizens give birth to them. I pray that they be enlightened to the fact that gays are BORN gay, created by God.
JessPH
While Singapore is still shamelessly portraying gay people as criminals and deviants, BL series (Boys Love) have become extremely popular in its neighbor countries i.e. Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand.