Commitment to equality is a precious thing. It lets our children know that they can be whatever they want. Equality is the engine of growth and progress. Without equality the world would never have had Einstein (developmental delay), Mozart (autism), Stephen Hawking (motor neuron disease), or Lee Kuan Yew (dyslexia).

In Singapore we pride ourselves on our commitment to people as our only resource. But in the shadows discrimination still exists. People are sacked, denied housing, or kept out of school. With each child who cannot get to school, each employee who is sacked, our potential for a better, more varied, more creative world lessens a bit.

'Stop Hurting. Quit Labelling' is a campaign to improve the law on discrimination. It will challenge employment discrimination in court in the hope that a clear legal position will emerge that guides employers in their employment practices.

Background

Last year, Lawrence Wee brought a suit against his former employer. He was harassed into leaving his job because of his sexual orientation.

Concerned that the law is ambiguous, Lawrence is now asking the High Court to judge whether Article 12 of our Constitution, which guarantees all persons equal protection of the law should also apply to people on the basis of their sexuality.

Article 12(2) states that “…there shall be no discrimination against citizens of Singapore on the ground only of religion, race, descent or place of birth in any law…”

Lawrence, who worked for six years before he was sacked, believes that people should be allowed to prove their worth at work, without fear that an immutable characteristic does not become a millstone around their neck.

Further information: http://www.fridae.asia/newsfeatures/2013/08/23/12408.singapore-gay-man-seeks-court-declaration-that-gays-are-equally-protected-under-the-constitution

Funds Needed

Taking a case to court in Singapore is not cheap. Including the court costs, lawyers’ fees and sundry expenses, as well as the costs of campaigning, Lawrence’s case will reach S$30,000.

But the impact of the case will reach into the whole of our employment culture. It will help employers know how to deal with differences at work, it will protect employees from unfair dismissal, and it will support young, creative and intelligent people who have much to contribute to our society.

Please help us to raise S$30,000 for Lawrence’s case. All the monies raised will be directed towards the legal fees and the campaign costs. As volunteers, we are not paid for our contribution. The funds will be placed in an escrow account and controlled and disbursed by T Ravi & Co., Certified Public Accountants, 101 Cecil Street, #24-10 Tong Eng Building, Singapore 069533.

Human rights lawyer, M. Ravi, has announced that he will take up the case on behalf of his client, Lawrence Wee, pro bono. Therefore, all donations will only be used to pay filing, court and miscellaneous administrative but not lawyer's fees.

The Article 12 Campaign Committee

We are a group of friends and concerned citizens who share Lawrence’s vision and have come together to support him in his case. Join the campaign by making a small contribution to a better, fairer Singapore.

Trevvy is proud to be the official media partner of the campaign: 

http://www.trevvy.com/scoops/article/133-stop-hurting-quit-labelling/