In a move that has disappointed many, IKEA Singapore has decided to continue supporting a magic show starring high-profile anti-gay pastor Lawrence Khong, despite numerous calls by the nation's LGBT community to stop doing so in the name of equal rights.
The furniture company will continue to offer members of their IKEA Family loyalty programme discounted rates for Vision, featuring the controversial pastor and his daughter Priscilla Khong.
Even though a lot of people have pointed out Khong's strong, public views against homosexuality and also the fact that his magic shows are overtly evangelical, IKEA Singapore maintains that Vision offers good value family entertainment, while also insisting that all individuals have a right to their opinions and personal choices.
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Dear IKEA fans, thanks for your patience while we took time to come to an informed decision on an issue that has raised...
Posted by IKEA Singapore on Tuesday, 21 April 2015
The gay rights community in Singapore take particular offense to the Swedish furniture company publicly supporting Khong, as IKEA has been known to be a longtime supporter of equal rights for the LGBT community, ever since they became the first company to feature a same-sex couple in one of their commercials back in 1994.
Renowned local playwright and poet Alfian Sa'at has even replied to the post, suggesting that IKEA should exercise greater discretion in the future before allying themselves with controversial figures, while also pointing out that IKEA Singapore's decision may be due more to practicality as it would be logistically difficult to pull out from the partnership.
The comments section of IKEA Singapore's Facebook post has become a desolate warzone between folks against gay rights and everyone else. Stay classy, Singapore.
Photo: mroach via Flickr
In a move that has disappointed many, IKEA Singapore has decided to continue supporting a magic show starring high-profile anti-gay pastor Lawrence Khong, despite numerous calls by the nation's LGBT community to stop doing so in the name of equal rights.
The furniture company will continue to offer members of their IKEA Family loyalty programme discounted rates for Vision, featuring the controversial pastor and his daughter Priscilla Khong.
Even though a lot of people have pointed out Khong's strong, public views against homosexuality and also the fact that his magic shows are overtly evangelical, IKEA Singapore maintains that Vision offers good value family entertainment, while also insisting that all individuals have a right to their opinions and personal choices.
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Dear IKEA fans, thanks for your patience while we took time to come to an informed decision on an issue that has raised...
Posted by IKEA Singapore on Tuesday, 21 April 2015
The gay rights community in Singapore take particular offense to the Swedish furniture company publicly supporting Khong, as IKEA has been known to be a longtime supporter of equal rights for the LGBT community, ever since they became the first company to feature a same-sex couple in one of their commercials back in 1994.
Renowned local playwright and poet Alfian Sa'at has even replied to the post, suggesting that IKEA should exercise greater discretion in the future before allying themselves with controversial figures, while also pointing out that IKEA Singapore's decision may be due more to practicality as it would be logistically difficult to pull out from the partnership.
The comments section of IKEA Singapore's Facebook post has become a desolate warzone between folks against gay rights and everyone else. Stay classy, Singapore.
Photo: mroach via Flickr