IKEA Singapore Supports Show By Anti-LGBT Pastor

[GenKaidou 10]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/ikea-singapore-to/1799828.html

SINGAPORE: Ikea Singapore on Tuesday (Apr 21) decided to continue promoting a magic show by Pastor Lawrence Khong, who has publicly spoken out against homos-xuality in the past, despite public objections since it put up an advertisement on the event last week.

The furniture retailer said after reviewing the magic show’s content, it found the programme to offer “high family entertainment value” and thus decided to stick to its “informed decision” of continuing the promotional tie-up.

“As a company, Ikea Singapore respects the diversity and equality of all people living in our community. We also respect that all individuals have a right to their opinions and personal choices, including the freedom to choose their preferred entertainment,” said Ikea Singapore’s assistant marketing manager Sandra Keasberry.

In response to TODAY’s queries, Ms Keasberry added that the company does not benefit financially from the tie-up with the show’s organisers.

Ikea Singapore's statement reproduced in full:

“Thanks to our loyal customers for your patience while we at Ikea Singapore took time to come to an informed decision on an issue that has raised sensitivities in our community. We were concerned about the questions raised and decided to do a thorough review. We have spoken directly with the organizers, reviewed the content and confirmed that the Vision show offers high family entertainment value and, on that basis, we are continuing our promotional tie-up.

As a company, Ikea Singapore respects the diversity and equality of all people living in our community. We also respect that all individuals have a right to their opinions and personal choices, including the freedom to choose their preferred entertainment.”

MIXED REACTIONS TO DECISION

Some people were up in arms after the Swedish company posted an advertisement last week offering discounted tickets to Mr Khong’s show for Ikea Family members - the retailer's loyalty card programme.

The furniture giant’s decision on Tuesday to continue promoting the show, which it posted on its Facebook page, drew strong reactions from those for and against it.

A Facebook user by the name Poh Wee Long wrote: “Thank you for not bowing to pressure. We cannot discriminate a person and organisation just because there is disagreement over certain values and views. True freedom means the right to disagree.”

Some pro-family groups lauded Ikea Singapore’s decision, while there were also lesbian-gay-bis-xual-transgender (LGBT) advocates who said it showed a need for greater awareness of LGBT rights.

Ms Anita Fam, who is a member of family support non-governmental organisation Families for Life, felt it was a right move by Ikea Singapore.

“It’s just a magic show and the person putting on the show is not making a statement. (Mr Khong) doesn’t have an agenda by putting on this show other than to entertain his audience. Ikea Singapore is doing the right thing by not taking sides,” she said.

On the other hand, Ms Jean Chong, who co-founded women gay rights group Sayoni, said: “While I respect Ikea Singapore’s right to choose how it wants to conduct business, it is obvious it does not hold the same values as Ikea worldwide. A lot of awareness still needs to be done to promote the rights of the LGBT community.”

Mr Bryan Choong of advocacy group Oogachaga, which provides LGBT counselling services, said he was disappointed by Ikea Singapore’s decision, given the firm’s “international track record” of being LGBT inclusive. “I am sure many LGBT people, families and supporters of LGBT people ... will feel the same.”

More on Pastor Lawrence Khong for those interested: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/pastor-lawrence-khong-opens-up-on-family--elaborates-on-stance-on-homos-xuality-150942427.html

I know I'm not really an active member around the forums(just lurking usually), but I'm really quite upset with how my country is still stuck with such backwards views. The Facebook comments on IKEA SG's official post are just disappointing. https://www.facebook.com/IKEASingapore/posts/822536721156401

Things like "LGBT rights are not human rights", like are you ****ing kidding me.

I'm honestly sick of this society and just can't wait till I'm able to move to a freer, more accepting place.

Sorry for wall of text ._.

[Dangerous Man 9,245]

Magic show by a pastor? Isn't magic illuminati aka from the devil? I see you pastor.

 

 

[LeoFameMonster 1,592]

So if someone publicly voiced their support of slavery and racial discrimination will they also support them because it is their right to believe that. 

Supporting a person or group that actively promotes discrimination in any way is not right. Point blank. No one is saying IKEA personal need to be pro-LGBT or anti-LGBT but don't allow your company to fund a person whose views directly discriminate the freedom of another human being based on a persons views and what they believe to be right.

It should be in everyone's religion that one human life is just a valuable as another humans rights, I am christian and gay. The Jesus I believe in would never suffer human beings because they are in love with the same gender.

The issue isn't the right to religious believes or views it is a fundamental human rights issue. People also used religion to condone slavery just incase everyone forgot that.

[Serendipity 7,821]

Magic show by a pastor? Isn't magic illuminati aka from the devil? I see you pastor.

 

 

 

 

 

[RAMROD 117,522]

Well, that is to be expected.

Singapore, as many other Asian countries, banned same s-x marriage.

It is frowned upon there, I had to booked a room with two beds just to be respectful when I was there the past two weeks, regardless there are a couples or three gay bars that only operating in the evening in China Town.