I read Mr Patrick Tan Siong Kuan's letter with disappointment ("S'pore must stand firm against gay marriage"; Tuesday).

For a better Singapore, gay people should be legally allowed to be themselves, and not have to marry the opposite sex just to please others.

The intentional breaking up of families with gay people should be frowned upon.

Society should not encourage these families to discriminate against their gay members.

Instead, government agencies should educate every Singaporean on the facts of homosexuality.

Families that accept their gay members could be featured in the media, as a role model to other families.

The sanctity of the family unit will still be protected even if same-sex marriage is legalised in Singapore; heterosexual people will continue to love the opposite sex.

Those in a same-sex marriage can be allowed to adopt orphans.

It is not difficult to find out how many same-sex parents brought up happy, heterosexual children, who went on to procreate.

Other similar gaps in our society can also be filled when gay people are free to be themselves.

The promotion of any form of discrimination should not be allowed to thrive in our society here.

I stand for equal rights for a better, happier Singapore.

Terence Ho Wai Loong