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Human Rights Prof. Opposes Gay Rights


A visiting human rights professor scheduled to teach at NYU School of Law this fall vigorously opposes LGBT rights, according to Inside Higher Ed. Thio Li-ann (pictured) of the National University of Singapore will teach a course on "Human Rights in Asia," but her dedication to minority rights apparently does not extend to LGBT people.

As a nominated member of parliament in Singapore, the distinguished academic fought the repeal of a law that punished adults who had consensual gay sex with up to two years in prison. During the debate over the law, she compared anal sex to "shoving a straw up your nose to drink" in a speech documented here .

The group for NYU gay and lesbian law students, NYU Outlaw, issued a statement on Thursday calling on the top-ranked law school to condemn the antigay statements of Thio. However, NYU Outlaw pledged to engage the visiting professor in a dialogue in the fall rather than call for her removal. "The board thinks it best to fight Dr. Thio's offensive views not by silencing her but by engaging in a respectful and productive dialogue about the boundaries of human rights," said NYU Outlaw.

In an e-mail interview with Inside Higher Ed , Thio questioned the idea of a "human right to sodomy" and rejected the "imperialism" of the international LGBT rights framework.

"I think certain Americans have to realize the fact that there are a diversity of views on the subject and it is not a settled matter; there is no universal norm and it is nothing short of moral imperialism to suggest there is," Thio wrote. "Correct me if I am wrong, but there is no consensus on this even within the U.S. Supreme Court and American society at large, even post Lawrence v. Texas. "

In the 2003 ruling, Supreme Court justices voted 6-3 to strike down antisodomy laws.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: AL
    Date posted: 7/13/2009 12:58:00 PM
    Hometown: Sarasota, FL

    Comment:

    How the hell is she considered a law professor if she has no concept of individual liberty? And she is coming to the United States?! Hell no! Stay in your damn Singapore or whatever 3rd-world septic hole she is trying to crawl out from!

  • Name: Faith
    Date posted: 7/13/2009 11:59:00 AM
    Hometown: Manhattan, NY

    Comment:

    Thio Li Ann is not a human being, so hence, she is not fit to teach about human rights. I call upon all students from NYU to boycott her teaching stint because it will jolly well end up as a christian conversion cum homosexual discrimination session, instead of a "healthy debate".

  • Name: Andre
    Date posted: 7/13/2009 10:20:00 AM
    Hometown: NYC

    Comment:

    Human right to sodomy? This lady seems to be a jovial and absurdly ignorant person. Homosexuality does not guarantee that a person will have or constantly has anal sex. For that matter I'd like to see a study focusing on male homosexuals who do not practice anal sex. Or perhaps the percentage of heterosexuals who like the sexual practice. The last study I saw was from Brazil where almost 50% of heterosexuals practice anal sex. "In North America, Redbook Magazine surveyed 100,000 married women on their anal sex practices. Here is what the survey said: - 43% of married women have tried anal intercourse. - Of these, 40% found it somewhat or very enjoyable. - 49% didn't like it. - And 10% had no particular feelings one-way or the other..."

  • Name: Frank
    Date posted: 7/13/2009 10:10:00 AM
    Hometown: New York City

    Comment:

    New York University can kiss my donations good-bye.

  • Name: Parker
    Date posted: 7/13/2009 8:53:00 AM
    Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

    Comment:

    I work at a university LGBT Center, I have felt the full weight of Focus on the Family's will bent against our programming when we challenged their place in our conservative community - but to read the comments on here, makes me think I am listening to a statement from Focus on the Family. Closed minded, nearly hateful. She is certainly entitled to her opinion just as much as two historians or two scientists who argue about this or that subject - that IS education. While I acknowledge its very difficult to engage people who are of opposite views AND are being political with those views - it is possible, possible to speak and dialogue if both sides are interested. If this woman is not interested in expanding herself, then that is her loss - Education IS the dialogue, even with people you'd most rather punch.

  • Name: stephen
    Date posted: 7/13/2009 2:12:00 AM
    Hometown: fairfield

    Comment:

    oh and I forgot.. Why does the NYU School of Law think this is acceptable. Do they regularly bring speakers and have staff that openly holds views that African Americans, Jewish, or Women have no legal rights? Why is it always acceptable that we are the only minority that seems to be ok to speak against this day and the speaker be given such a prominent position at an institution of higher learning.

  • Name: Stephen
    Date posted: 7/13/2009 2:06:00 AM
    Hometown: Fairfield

    Comment:

    It just cracks me up to see a college educated woman of color hold such bigoted and backwards beliefs.. Don't we have enough close minded individuals in our own country that we have to bring them in?

  • Name: Nick
    Date posted: 7/13/2009 1:49:00 AM
    Hometown: Santa Monica

    Comment:

    I went to NYU. Those students are gonna tear her a new ass! She's an idiot to be sure but to have the chance to argue against her hateful and obviously uninformed perspective will be an invaluable tool for a new generation of students.

  • Name: Chris
    Date posted: 7/13/2009 1:03:00 AM
    Hometown: Boulder, CO

    Comment:

    I disagree with providing her an box to stand on. She is entitled to her opinion, and she is entitled to voice it. However, if I were a paying student at NYU, you're damn right I would protest it. The academics need to take a stand and show the rest of the world that, no, we do not think this is a valid opinion. Don't tolerate intolerance. And allowing for freedom of expression doesn't mean enabling your opponents.

  • Name: tfred
    Date posted: 7/13/2009 12:47:00 AM
    Hometown: Chicago

    Comment:

    but, she does not have the automatic right to spout that hate mongering from a professor's lectern.

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