TV does influence views on gays

SINGAPORE - Mr George Bishop's assertion that "there is no evidence to indicate that a positive portrayal of gay people in any way 'promotes homosexuality'" is incorrect ("Lift ban on positive portrayals of gay people on TV"; last Saturday).

A poll conducted by The Hollywood Reporter last year found that TV shows which portray the homosexual lifestyle, such as Glee, Modern Family and The New Normal, helped to drive people to support same-sex marriage in America.

In another study conducted by Ipsos MediaCT, 18 per cent of TV viewers aged 13 to 64 shifted their opinion in favour of same-sex marriage as a result of factors such as higher-profile portrayals of gay characters on TV and celebrity support of same-sex marriages.

Mr Ben Spergel, senior vice-president at Ipsos MediaCT, concluded: "We are seeing a shift in our culture that is being influenced by popular culture."

In a well-connected country like Singapore, the reach of the media is ubiquitous.

The mainstream media should not impose upon society a set of values inconsistent with those of most Singaporeans, by promoting homosexual or any other alternative lifestyles.

This is especially so in the case of imparting values to young children that fundamentally contradict those of their parents.

- Darius Lee

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