It has been announced since National Day Rally 2022 by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long that Singapore will repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code, confirming months of speculation that the Government might move on the law criminalising sex between men which has been a lightning rod for polarisation.
However, the Government would continue to uphold and reinforce the importance of marriage between a man and a women through national policies, acknowledging that most Singaporeans would like to keep society that way. Therefore, should Section 377A be more stringent or completely abolished?
Some stands on the side that more should be done for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community while others stand their grounds saying such should not be allowed in Singapore. A few remains on the fence. Although Section 377A has been repealed, a large step for Singapore, marriage between two people of the same gender is not recognised.
That being said, it seems to me Singapore is in the middle. Unwilling to lax the measures fully on the side of LGBTQ+ and also not exactly fully limiting the rights of LGBTQ+ in Singapore.
Rejection
From a Straits Times Article, the head of the Catholic Church in Singapore has said that Section 377A, which criminalises sex between men, should not be repealed under the present circumstances. Archbishop Goh appealed to Catholics in Singapore to make a “conscientious decision” to reject the repeal of 377A. He added that as individuals and responsible citizens, Catholics had an important role to play in voicing their views to the Government.
Support
In a joint community statement by 22 LGBTQ+ rights groups, including Pink Dot SG and The T Project last year, the groups stated that they were “relieved” by the government’s decision to repeal Section 377A, as organisations supporting the “equality and inclusion of the LGBTQ community in Singapore”.
The statement was issued by Pink Dot SG on behalf of the other LGBTQ+ organisations saying, “The repeal of Section 377A, while long overdue, is a significant milestone and a powerful statement that state-sanctioned discrimination has no place in Singapore. 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.”
With the community divided based on different opinions, it is difficult to satisfy both ends. Perhaps the government’s current decisions is best for the community, or maybe it is the worst for both communities aren’t satisfied. What are your thoughts?
