Leong Vai Kei
Acting head of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ), Leong Vai Kei, explained that her recent remarks, which caused public criticism, were misunderstood.
On Friday, the bureau called for a press conference to clarify her stance in a statement she disclosed, which suggested that students who show signs of homosexuality are to be referred to the relevant authorities for “medical examination.”
She previously said, “if [a student] has evidence of this homosexuality, we refer this case to other competent authorities. If the children or the students think they are homosexual, we can transfer the case to a doctor or psychologist for a clinical examination.”
Thus, Leong apologized on Friday, noting that there was a misinterpretation on her part.
“I was thinking of gender dysphoria and I made a mistake in my saying.
I apologize for this misunderstanding,” said Leong, as cited in a TDM report.
Although no students with any sexual identity crises have been referred for clinical diagnosis, she noted that students are still too young to decide whether they are homosexual or not.
“If [a student] says they are homosexual, I don’t think that he or she really means that. […] The student is in a developmental stage and [the student] is searching for one’s identity, not only gender, but everything,” said Leong.
Meanwhile, Leong also stressed that students should be taught about their legal responsibilities, noting that 16-year-olds might face criminal responsibility for having sexual relations, consensual or not.
“As an educator, we have to let the students know [their] responsibilities and that if they go against the law, they will be put to jail,” she stressed.
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