What Being Inclusive Means

This letter, by Josie Lau, President of Aware, was published in The Straits Times' Forum page on 28 April 2009:

What being inclusive means

I REFER to yesterday's article, 'Keep religion above 'petty politics', says Vivian'.

The Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) fully supports Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan's advice that our internal disputes should be settled among members. We agree it is important to hear a diversity of views and to discuss these views in a civil manner.

Aware is a secular organisation and we welcome women of all races and religions to be members. Our members' beliefs and the recent high-profile disputes should not be exploited in the public arena to serve controversial agendas.

The extraordinary general meeting on May 2 is a forum for genuinely interested parties to address issues relating to Aware, its contribution to matters relating to all women and how this affects society in general.

Aware's principle of inclusiveness is framed by reference to the purposes and objectives of this women's organisation. For example, Aware is not directly concerned with the rights of consumers, investors or the environment.

What about the interests of lesbians or what some call 'sexual orientation' or 'sexuality' rights? It depends on what interest is at stake. For example, we do not think lesbians should be discriminated against in the workplace, either in terms of promotion or pay; like every woman, they deserve equality of opportunity. The only relevant consideration is merit.

There is a world of difference between fair employment rights and claims to 'same-sex marriage'.

As an advocacy group, Aware seeks to maintain its relevance by allocating its limited resources to tackling the most pressing issues of the day impacting our women across the spectrum of society.

It is not helpful to use slogans like 'inclusive' to force acceptance of controversial claims on all Aware members, as if that belief were a prerequisite for membership; it is not.

Aware would like to contribute to pluralistic Singapore by providing a forum to address issues specifically so we can understand exactly what issues are at stake in order for dialogue to be meaningful. Aware is tolerant and inclusive enough to allow its members to hold their views on matters of controversy.