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Name: Richard
Burger
Position: Director
Company: The Hoffman Agency
“The government
announcement has certainly generated its share of controversy.
There is no PR advantage now for any company her to ‘come
out’ with its own similar policy – the issue is
simply too hot at the moment. The best thing a forward-thinking
company can do is quietly lead by example, hiring its people
based on their abilities, irrespective of extraneous factors
like race, religion or sexuality.”
“It is important
to respect Singapore’s unique culture. While it is perhaps
Asia’s most ‘Westernized’ region, people
here still have strong, traditional beliefs about marriage
and family duty. The government has nudged open the door that
could result in gradual shift in people’s attitudes
toward gays, but this has to take time. Announcing a company’s
gay-friendly policies when the issue is at its peak of controversy
isn’t good strategy. Let people get used to this new
liberalism, and don’t force it on them aggressively.”
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