How fortunate for Donald Tsang Yam-kuen that in 30 years his work and conscience have not clashed ('Don't privatise morals, Tsang warns in gay-sex debate', Sunday Morning Post, October 16).
Unfortunately, a collision is inevitable because Mr Tsang is now apparently allowing his religious beliefs to help perpetuate discrimination against homosexuals in Hong Kong. The chief executive's statements regarding 'privatising morals' are an effective smokescreen covering up more discrimination based on sexual orientation. He said young people must be protected, and that we should not allow 'people as young as 14 or 16 to have this'.
Erroneously, lowering the age to 14 is already an emotional ploy which serves to whip up anti-gay sentiment. This isn't about protection, though. It is about equality before the law. It will be a backward step if the government is successful in its appeal against the court ruling, which lowered the age of consensual gay sex to where it is for straight sex.
It could be that two 20-year-old men are imprisoned for having safe, consensual sex, while 16-year-old male and female students have multiple sex partners and get a pat on the head. After all, that's the natural way: set the bar at whatever age is suitable to your 'public morals', Mr Tsang, but set it the same for gay and straight youngsters. Ultimately, what is being protected by this disparity are some people's misunderstandings and outdated, homophobic fears.
Perhaps, though, Mr Tsang should be given the benefit of the doubt. Maybe his remarks are simply a clever form of political appeasement. He is well aware that many people in Hong Kong, especially the older, less educated, and fundamentalist religious populations, dislike even the thought that homosexuality exists, primarily because they know nothing about it and it sounds 'unnatural'.
It will be sad for young people if the appeal is successful. It is becoming crystal clear that Hong Kong requires legislation to stop discrimination based on sexual orientation.
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