What would you do and how would you feel when your very existence becomes the bane for other people? This is the dilemma gays and lesbians in Singapore face. If being truthful to oneself is a virtue, then homosexuals especially those who dare come out, deserve praise and not censure, for amidst the rocky road of public condemnation, they dare embrace a life of truth.

Gays and lesbians in the general sense never stop facing judgements, be it from their straight or homophobic peers. Homosexuals are unreservedly accused as being immoral individuals whose existence smacks of nothing but the craving for perpetual sex. This notion, skewed as it is, serves as a reminder that a life of truth always comes with a price.

Homosexuals throughout are shunned for yet another reason; they were once the 'harbinger' of the fatal HIV/Aids disease. While statistics today reveal that HIV/Aids is no longer a gay issue, the heterosexual community remains unconvicted and judgemental, refusing to give gays and lesbians the benefit of the doubt and welcome them into society's fold.

The condemnation that gays especially are responsible for the spread of the fatal HIV/Aids illness has resulted in homosexuals time and again being ostracised from society. More recently, the Singapore government banned a popular party called the Nation, organised by gay website friade.com, to be held in conjunction with Singapore's 40th independence day celebrations in August.

While the party has since been 'relocated' to the ever popular Phuket and will take place from Nov 4-6, the Singapore government's decision spells concern for the island's gay community who truly have become victims of gay-bashing by fellow heterosexuals.

The Malaysia-based New Straits Times reported recently that a study by researchers at the island's university showed that a majority of Singaporeans hold negative attitudes towards gay men and lesbians. Telephone interviews of some 1,000 respondents showed 68.6 per cent having a negative attitude, 22.9 per cent a positive attitude and 8.5 per cent taking a neutral stand.