Science Centre cancels event discussing sex and gender after public feedback

SINGAPORE: Science Centre Singapore has cancelled a Jun 14 event about sex and gender, after public feedback expressing concern about the content of the discussion and its speakers.

"Following online publicity of the session, we had received public feedback expressing concern about the content to be discussed in the session, as well as the composition of the speakers," said a Science Centre spokesperson on Monday (Jun 3) in response to CNA's queries.

"We have reviewed the session and decided to not proceed with it."

The event, which was due to be held at Cineleisure and was only for those aged 18 and older, was titled "What's the difference between sex and gender?" 

Three speakers were due to speak at the event: Drag queen Becca D'Bus, Oogachaga youth counsellor Alexander Teh and Associate Professor in the Department of English, Linguistics and Theatre Studies at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Mie Hiramoto.

The Science Centre spokesperson said the session in June was intended to "discuss the sociocultural factors that shape society’s understanding of sex and gender".

On its event page and in a Facebook post, the Science Centre said those who have bought tickets for the Jun 14 session will receive a full refund.

The event drew flak from a majority of Facebook users who commented on Science Centre's post.

Some said they were "deeply concerned" or "appalled" about the topic of discussion, while others questioned the choice of speakers.

"It’s appalling how this event was greenlighted in the first place, especially coming from Singapore Science Centre," wrote Facebook user Dexter Aw on Science Centre's Facebook post.

"And funny that none of the speakers are from a scientific background."

Another user, Zara Ong, said she was "deeply concerned" about the panel discussion and asked if it would be a "biased discussion".

Other Facebook users also said they were concerned that such a topic would be discussed with "children and youths", even though the event was for those aged 18 and above.

A few users did bemoan the cancellation of the event, with one saying he was "really interested in this discussion".

Oogachaga, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) non-profit organisation, noted that the Science Centre had planned the event since late last year.

Mr Leow Yangfa, executive director of Oogachaga, said the organisation was "very dismayed and disappointed" after it was informed on Sunday of the cancellation.

"As we understand, this was a result of external pressure, and Oogachaga was not involved at all in the decision," he added.

"We are somewhat puzzled as to why and how other agencies and stakeholders had such a powerful say about whether an event should or should not proceed."

For Becca D’Bus, the cancellation did not come as a surprise. 

“I think an attempt to create a space for information sharing for folks over 18 that is casual and social is great,” she told TODAY. “I think that what the event was centred on is worth talking about, clearly if it draws this kind of fire.” 

The Science Centre spokesperson said it regularly organises ticketed dinner events under its Science Cafe event series, where it promotes "interest in science and curiosity through featuring speakers from diverse disciplines who share their views on particular subjects".

Such events are limited to guests aged 18 and above.

Past Science Cafe sessions have examined topics such as the impact of ageing, the rapid development of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of artificial intelligence on artistic developments.