As Hong Kong people are becoming more aware of human rights, the identification of homosexuals has become a hot topic for discussion.

Though the government has started to consult the public on the issue of sexual discrimination, it has never been conscientious enough to eliminate the public’s bias against the homosexuals. It seems that the consultation is rather superficial. The Hong Kong government just wants to show they are concerned with the human rights even in this aspect.

A truly democratic country should be the one in which everybody has equal rights. No one should be discriminated against by others and no one should have prerogative to discriminate against others. Frankly speaking, I regard homosexuality as an unnatural act. However, I cannot find any reason to isolate homosexuals. They are also human and need respect from others. Homosexuals are different from the majority only in their sexual orientation. This is not a fault, but a difference only. As Mr. Derek Jarman once stated, “Heterosexuality is not normal, just common.”

Surely, people have prejudices about homosexuality. As the leader of a country, the government should establish the ideology of equality among its people.

The movie Priest, which told the story of a homosexual priest, led to vigorous controversy. Some people say the Catholic church is too conservative. As a Catholic, I do want to plead this case. Everyone knows that a Catholic priest can neither get married nor have sexual relationships, so the situation in the movie, in my view, was only a matter of regulations, not a matter of homosexuality.

The Church has firmly announced that it will not accept homosexuality. But I do not think today’s clergy will kick a homosexual out of the Church just because he or she is a homosexual. The most important and basic dogma of the Catholic church is love. In my opinion, the priests will try to persuade one to leave the circle of homosexuality, but not to blame them.

Thus, even if one cannot accept homosexuals, one should respect the choice of them.

Anyway, while this social phenomenon is inevitable, we have to judge fairly towards this minority group as they also have dignity.

Your article “Survival of the fittest” (Varsity, March 1996, Pages 36-37) illustrated two phenomena of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. I am very concerned about the implications behind this and the great pressures on young women.

As people know, in the Tang Dynasty, society regarded women as charming when they were fat, as it meant they were healthy and “productive” — productive here referring to the bearing of offspring.

However, nowadays people regard slim figures as beautiful. No matter whether its television programs, movies, fashion magazines or beauty pageants, only slim ladies are portrayed as beauties.

This comparison clearly shows that the meaning of beauty is rather subjective, socially constructed, and changing according to time and place.

It is natural for women to pursue beauty. Fat ladies are usually laughed at. This social pressure more or less pushes them to limit their intake of food, or at least be weight-conscious.

It is common for women to diet. However, many of them just skip meals. They may know that this will harm their health, but they would like to be thin at the expense of it.

As mentioned in your article, the illness is largely confined to the age group between 10 and 19. This may reveal that adolescents are very concerned with their figures and may use their slim figures as means to get others’ appreciation.

Yet one should not conclude that only adolescents are influenced by this social trend. I would regard the problem of over-emphasising standard body weight as a trend that affects the whole community, and not only the youngsters.

Thus, what we should focus on is the understanding of social norms. In sensitizing ourselves to the stress that social trends put on females, we will be able to avoid putting pressure on others.

I refer to the article headlined “Helping yourself” (Varsity, March 1996, Pages 23-24) talking about students’ experience in self-help trips.

Although I have travelled abroad just a few times, I strongly agree that travelling can enrich your knowledge.

Besides, one’s strength can be tested through a self-help trip, since there is a hard life during the trip.

In my opinion, a self-help trip is most feasible in university years. Students studying in secondary schools are usually not allowed to go abroad on their own. Those who are at work do not have enough time for travelling and planning for a trip.

In the past, travelling in summer holidays was a popular activity among university students. Before the final examinations in every summer, itineraries are read as frequently as textbooks.

However, this is not the case today. The rising university tuition fees and the declining Hong Kong economy have dashed students’ hopes to travel abroad.

Could the grants and loans given by the government help? The answer is: Not much. Most students can only get the amount just enough, or even not enough, to cover the tuition fee.

No matter where one is going, it takes at least $7,000 for a self-help trip, which is mainly spent on the transportation and hostel fees.

Therefore, I suggest the government and the universities that more funds should be allocated to finance students’ tuition fees and travel expenditures.

Taking a self-help trip is a constructive and valuable activity that every university student should not miss.