Singapore announced their decision to repeal Section 377A of the penal code, which criminalizes sex between men with up to 2 years jail time under existing law.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at a rally speech, “I believe this is the right thing to do, and something that most Singaporeans will now accept.”
LGBTQ rights groups are relieved by the announcement but are still calling on the government to change the definition of marriage in the constitution, as it is now defined legally as between a man and woman.
“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. For those that long for a more equal and inclusive Singapore, repeal signifies that change is indeed possible,” they said in the statement.
In response to changing the legal definition of marriage, Lee said: “We believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, that children should be raised within such families, that the traditional family should form the basic building block of society.”
