"Many sexually challenged women were among the most vocal and vociferous supporters of the old guard."
The above statement was extracted from a letter written by Dr Thio Su Mien, as response to the gay agenda issue of Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware).
The letter mainly states that Aware had veered it's initial purpose into promoting the lesbianism and homosexuality political agenda. Disturbed by what she saw, she began urging women she knew to challenge Aware’s attempts to redefine marriage and families.
Having enough said of whether Aware had been doing the right thing, the focus here is that the phrase 'sexually challenged women' used in the letter seemed to have aroused many people's concern. The urban dictionary shows that 'sexually challenged' is a politically correct word for homosexual. It is perhaps supposely understood that Dr Thio had used the phrase in place of the word 'lesbians.'
This is of course still up to individuals to define it. However, I have to agree that there is definitely some attached meaning to the phrase used. Some readers found it rude and offensive as they relate the phrase 'sexually challenged' as to being 'sexually incline.' Does this then mean to categorise lebians as sexually incompetent women.
Therefore, readers rebutted that Dr Thio, a born-again christian, isn't giving respect to the homosexual ladies.
Personally, I read the attached meaning, paired together with the words 'vocal and vociferous,' as women who choose to defy the nature of sexuality. It sounds like lesbians are ones who are trying to challenge their way through and defy the society, promoting the feminist issue, and definitely this is not the case. Thus, I stand my view that the phrase 'sexually challenged' shouldn't be used.
There might be some self-serving bias here as I have always been open about homosexuals, probably due to the friends and environment influence. I have seen many pairs who really care and love each other, definitely not for the sake of being a feminist or whatever. Therefore emotions and feelings are sure to struck me. Similarly, the reason why Dr Thio would use the phrase, it might be because of her christianity status that affects how she perceive certain issues.
The language used is subjective, and a simple phrase here had evoked many thoughts and perceptions. So, what do you see in the phrase? (:
Reference: Dr Thio's Letter
Maybe sexually challenged isn't the right word to use, because an image of a person unable to physically have sex comes to mind.
ReplyDeletemaybe the term, "sexually confused" (religious context) or "women with exotic tastes" (secular taste) might make more sense.
Although "sexually challenged" is so-called the politically correct phrase for homosexuality, i think it is somehow not appropriate to address the special group as a "challenged" group, as we learnt in primary school that words linked to "challenged" means being "handicapped" such as visually challenged, physically challenged etc. So, in laymen terms, "sexually challenged" might be misunderstood as sexually handicapped.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we could use "sexually diversed" to replace "sexually challenged" when addressing to homosexuals.
It is obvious that Dr Thio Su Mien is against lesbianism and the likes of it, and by using "sexually-challenged women", she it trying to be seemingly politically polite.
ReplyDeleteBut the truth is that what she meant is that something is wrong with lesbians and bi-sexuals, as if they are down with a disease or a mental problem.
I won't say she is wrong or right on this particular issue, because when one's point of view changes, what is right can be wrong and vice-versa.
What I will like to challenge is; what is wrong with being vocal and vociferous? When a person's rights and says are under threat, is it wrong for them to voice it out and challenge the threats?
If it is indeed wrong, then it must also be wrong for Dr Thio to write her letter to challenge AWARE. What makes her think that she has anymore rights than any other single female Singaporean?
We are still a conservative society. It will look more polite by using "sexually challenged" than to "lesbains" or "homosexuals". Furthermore, these two words give rise to ambiguity, allowing her to do any damage control if people react adversely to her message.
ReplyDeleteHer intented motive is good. But the term used could have been better. "sexually challenged" sounds too misleading and insulting.
i don't think 'sexually confused' or 'women with exotic taste' would serve to be better word. i feel even more offended.
ReplyDeletefirstly, lesbians are never sexually confused. they know what they want, and follow their feelings to it. if they are confused and restricted by how the society sees them, they wouldn't accept themselves as pro homosexuals.
secondly, you are like saying the women who possess the 'exotic taste' are the ones who then would fall in love with someone of the same sex. if you were trying to mean that there are certain special traits that leads to the exotic taste, then the phrase cannot be solely used to describe lesbians. women who love a poor man, ugly man or heartless man can also be categorise into woman with exotic taste? who doesn't have weak points to be compromised?
hi grayze,
ReplyDeletethanks for your comment!
sexually diversed somehow blocks off any crude attached meaning. but many might interpret 'sexually diversed' in their own perception.
to me, it sounds as to 'people who are open and sexually involved with a diverse group.' it is sure to arouse more discussion if she were to use that? i certainly wouldn't agree to it. (:
hi anonymous no. 2,
ReplyDeletei agree that the phrase and actions words dr thio used are pretty crude, and reflects lesbians as a unreasonable bunch. however, never was it to the extend of whatever disease or mental problems you mentioned. (:
i support your last two paragraphs! just like what you wrote, dr thio shouldn't criticise anyone who tries to protect their stand.
thanks! (:
hi shawn,
ReplyDeletethanks alot for your comment!
however, i personally feel that dr thio isn't trying to be polite when she choose to use the words 'sexually challenged.'
she is not trying to minimize damage control, instead, she wants people to be able to interpret the phrase themselves. in anyway, it isn't of good intention i think.
Sexually challenged sounds wrong & derogative no matter which way you look at it! that statement just sounds belittling & insulting no matter how i look at it. dressing it up with pretty words does not make it any less hurtful!
ReplyDeletei agree with you when you say these women are not sexually confused. they know exactly what they want! neither are they sexually "challenged" in my opinion. it is not up to us to judge whether or not they are "challenged" in that way & for all we know their sex lives are even more interesting than half the heterosexual population out there.
the words were chosen to attack, put these people down & invoke negative feelings toward them in my opinion. it was not a very nice thing to do!
I don't see why they need to find a substitute word for LESBIAN and HOMOSEXUAL. It's okay what.. The two words have been universally accepted by all cultures and societies, even in Singapore. It's in the police force's law manual for crying out loud!
ReplyDeleteI don't think being polite is the issue here. It clearly is an issue of Dr Thio's personal agenda against the homosexuals in Aware. I think she is 'decenthuman-challenged'.
Sorry if I sound aggressive. Trust me, it sounds a lot nicer if I say it out loud.
Well said, Anonymous!! :)
ReplyDeleteI like your "What I will like to challenge is; what is wrong with being vocal and vociferous? When a person's rights and says are under threat, is it wrong for them to voice it out and challenge the threats?" TWO THUMBS UP!!
Actually, in the first place, why should they be called names? Why classify them into an atypical group? They are human beings too. They are just a special group of people, who have different life experiences, so does it make them lesser than a normal human and have names called upon them?? In fact, i respect them for braving it because it isn't easy to survive being frowned upon and classified as "abnormal" by many people.
ReplyDeleteIf they would get mental help for their illness, they would no longer be abnormal.
ReplyDelete