Singapore To Decriminalize Gay Sex

Facts

• Singapore's PM Lee Hsien Loong announced on Sun. that the nation is set to decriminalize sex between men. However, the reforms will stop short of legalizing marriage between homosexual couples.¹
• The city-state plans to repeal a colonial era law, known as Section 337A, that criminalizes homosexual relations between men and is considered by many to effectively ban homosexuality. Although those who violate the law can technically face up to two years in jail, it isn't currently actively enforced.²
• Lee has vowed that the effects of the repeal will be limited and will not compromise Singapore's traditional family and societal norms, including what children are taught in schools, what is allowed on television, and the definition of marriage, as well as general public conduct.³
• Some other former British colonies still retain colonial era laws that criminalize sex between men, but recent years have seen many overturn the legislation. In 2018, India decriminalized it after a historic Supreme Court ruling, while Taiwan legalized it in 2019, and Thailand recently approved plans to allow same-sex unions.⁴

Sources: ¹VOA, ²New York Times, ³CBC and ⁴Washington Post.

Narratives

• Left narrative, as provided by Independent. This is a positive step for LGBTQ rights in the Asia-Pacific. Societal norms have changed considerably since these laws were put in place and it's only right that the law changes to keep up with the times. Although there is still a long way to go, this is a hard won victory of love over bigotry and fear.
• Right narrative, as provided by Channelnewsasia. Repealing this law may be a necessary and important step in bringing equality to a marginalized community, but doing so risks starting down a slippery slope. Traditional family and marriage are the very bedrocks of Japanese society, and these must be protected at all costs.