Singapore upholds anti-gay law, but activists hopeful after minister’s speech
- Court of Appeal declines to overturn Section 377A of Penal Code; says it’s not enforced so no need to address the colonial-era legislation
- Still, activists encouraged by influential minister’s remarks acknowledging discrimination faced by LGBT community and shifting social attitudes
Singapore’s gay rights campaigners know full well that their years-long campaign to repeal the country’s colonial-era law that criminalises consensual sex between men is a marathon, not a sprint.
That reality came into focus in recent weeks, after a major court decision and a senior government official delved into the future of the law, Section 377A of the Penal Code.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s government has said the law was not being enforced, and was being kept on the books to reflect the country’s conservative social norms and attitudes when it comes to homosexuality.
Rights activists have countered that the law, which does not apply to gay women or other non-heterosexual people, exacerbates sexuality-based discrimination and stigma in the country.
In the latest setback for the cause, the country’s highest court last week chose to uphold a 2020 High Court decision on judicial reviews separately filed by three activists.
The Court of Appeal, as it had done on previous occasions, signalled that its position remained that any change to the status quo would require a decision by the executive branch.
