Author: Du Yiming and Wu Ailing
Associated Press
SINGAPORE (AP) — Singapore’s gay community hails a plan to decriminalize sex between men as a “victory of love over fear,” but warns that equality is still a long way off, with same-sex The combined new ban could exacerbate discrimination against them.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong surprised many when he announced in his National Day rally speech on August 21 that the government would repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code. in prison.
When Parliament last debated whether to repeal Section 377A since 2007, its position was to keep the law but not enforce it. But Lee said social norms had changed a lot and many Singaporeans would now embrace decriminalisation.
However, Lee vowed that the repeal would be limited and would not shake Singapore’s traditional family and social norms, including the definition of marriage, the education of children at school, television programmes and general public behaviour.
He said the government would amend the constitution to “uphold the institution of marriage” and prevent any constitutional challenge to allow same-sex unions.
The timing of the repeal or amendment of the constitution was not disclosed.
More than 20 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups – including Pink Dot SG, which hosts an annual rally that draws thousands of supporters – said it was overdue to repeal the bill to show “state-sanctioned discrimination in Singapore.” There is no place to stand”.
They called it a “hard-won victory, a victory of love over fear” that would ultimately heal victims of bullying, rejection and harassment. However, the groups say the repeal is only “the first step on a long road to full equality for LGBTQ people” in the other areas of discrimination they face in their homes, schools, workplaces and housing and health systems.
They expressed disappointment that the government plans to introduce further legislation or constitutional amendments to ban same-sex unions that treat LGBTQ people as unequal citizens.
They warned that such a decision would “undermine the secular character of our constitution, codify further discrimination into the supreme law and tie the hands of future parliaments”.
Religious groups have reacted cautiously to Lee’s comments, saying the changes must not hinder their religious freedom to express views on public morals or create any “reverse discrimination” against those who do not support homosexuality.
Christian and Muslim groups say that until Section 377A is repealed, heterosexual marriage must be protected in the Constitution and that the policy should not be liberalized further.
“We seek assurances from the government that the religious freedom of churches will be protected as we continue to teach against same-sex sexuality and emphasize such practices,” the National Council of Churches said in a statement. It said pastors and church workers must be protected from accusations of “hate speech” and not be forced to employ merely “LGBTQ affirming” tactics in their counseling.
The committee expressed concern that repeal could lead to the expansion of LGBTQ culture and called for remedies for Christians facing “reverse discrimination.”
The Alliance of Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches in Singapore, which represents more than 80 local churches, was more outspoken, calling it a “very regrettable decision”.
“The decision to remove an important moral symbol like S377A marks a rewrite of acceptable sexual relations and celebrates homosexuality as a feature of the prevailing social environment,” it said.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore says the Church is not trying to criminalize the LGBQT community, but to protect family and marriage and their right to teach and practice on such topics unimpeded.
Singapore’s top Islamic leader, Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, said repealing the bill was a “difficult balancing act” and steps to protect traditional values were crucial.
“Even if we stick to different values, aspirations and orientations, I don’t think we should allow hatred and contempt for difference to win,” he told Channel NewsAsia.
Section 377A was introduced under British colonial rule in the 1930s. Versions of the law still exist in other former British colonies, including neighboring Malaysia.
But laws in Asia have liberalized in recent years. India’s Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality in a 2018 ruling. Taiwan became the first Asian government to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019, and Thailand recently approved plans to allow same-sex unions.
Tan Ern Ser, a sociologist at the National University of Singapore, said repealing the constitution could set the stage for future challenges to the constitution.
“On the face of it, it does take one step forward and two steps back, but my sense is that repeal could be seen as stepping on a door that could pave the way for future challenges to the constitution’s current definition. Road. Family and marriage,” Tan said.
