Religion: Barrier or Support

The panel for this session consisted of Sister Mary Soledad Perpinan from Philippines, Monk Phrakhru from Thailand, and Mr Noor Ilahi Arain from Pakistan. The differences in the outlook of the panel members reflected the differing attitudes that permeate through out the Asia Pacific region. Sister Soledad spoke with compassion and acceptance while relating her experiences with gay community groups and urged everyone not to judge others based on their sexuality. Monk Phrakhru from Thailand gave similar message and said that it was important for us all to accept and work with each other. However in responding to a question on homosexuality, Mr Arain had just said, "when there is a natural way, we should not take the unnatural way". He went on to say that today we are making gay men heroes and lesbians, heroines. This he said was stretching liberty too far. Arain reminded us that while gay issues and acceptance may be taken for granted in developed countries, the struggle continues in Asia.