Singapore to repeal colonial-era law against sex between men

Singapore will repeal the section of the city-state’s penal code with criminalizes sex between men. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made the announcement Sunday, but said there are no plans to legalize same-sex marriage.

Lee announced the repeal of the colonial-era Section 377A of the penal code, under which sex between men is punishable by up to two years in prison, in his annual national day rally speech.

“I believe this is the right thing to do, and something that most Singaporeans will now accept,” he said.

According to Reuters, the law is not currently enforced, and there have been no known convictions for sex between consenting adult males for decades.

“For everyone who has experienced the kinds of bullying, rejection and harassment enabled by this law, repeal finally enables us to begin the process of healing,” a coalition of LGBTQ organizations said in a statement following Lee’s speech. “For those that long for a more equal and inclusive Singapore, repeal signifies that change is indeed possible.”

However, some feel that stopping short of legalizing same-sex marriage undercut the victory.

In a concession to religious groups, Lee said in his speech that “We believe that…

Read full story, and more, from Source: Singapore to repeal colonial-era law against sex between men

Share

About Gay Today

Editor of Gay Today