Singapore to decriminalize acts of homosexuality
Singapore is not known to be an LGBTQ friendly country. However, today, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced new plans to repeal Section 377A of the penal code, which is a law that essentially criminalizes sex between two males, even consenting males. While the law has remained part of the penal code for some time now, no convictions for consenting males have occurred in decades, rendering the code de facto.
The law, which was added to the Penal Code in 1938 by the colonial government, and was punishable by up to two years imprisonment for offending men, does not apply to women. Same sex copulation between consenting female parties is not subject to the same scrutiny as that of men.
Whether a de facto practice or not, removing the discriminatory law from their Penal Code opens up an array of possibilities for LGBTQ Singaporeans. However, after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made the announcement, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said that the Constitution will also be amended to protect Parliament’s right to define marriage, instead of the judiciary. In theory, this means that technically, marriage equality and same sex civil unions could be on the table for LGBTQ Singaporeans, but it seems unlikely under the current leadership.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong said in an interview on Monday, that changes to the definition of marriage are unlikely under the current Prime Minister. Wong, who is slated to become the next Prime Minister said, “and it will not happen under my watch if … PAP (People’s Action Party) were to win the next General Election.”
While repealing the code is undeniably a step forward in dismantling the stigma that is placed on homosexuality in Singapore, there is clearly still work to be done. However, it is believed that this action will likely lead to an increase in gay tourists and companies sending queer employees to work in the country. The limitations on same sex unions will continue to complicate married same sex couples from obtaining spousals visas. Up until this point, these cases have been handled on a case-by-case basis.
Watch this space as more information about the evolving situation for our LGBTQ folks in Singapore continues.
