'Timely' and 'justifiable': Singaporeans welcome government's decision to decriminalise gay sex

Record ID: 1685900

  • Title: 'Timely' and 'justifiable': Singaporeans welcome government's decision to decriminalise gay sex
  • Date: 22nd August 2022
  • Summary: SINGAPORE (FILE - APRIL 26, 2022) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE SINGAPORE FLAG ON PARLIAMENT BUILDING
  • Embargoed: 5th September 2022 04:26
  • Keywords: 377A LGBT LGBTQIA Lee Hsien Loong Singapore gay sex human rights law repeal same-sex marriage
  • Location: SINGAPORE
  • City: SINGAPORE
  • Country: Singapore
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA002978421082022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Singapore residents on Monday (August 22) welcomed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's plan to decriminalise sex between men, even though he had no plans to change the legal definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman.
    "Very outdated law. I mean, repealing it sounds like it makes a lot of sense right now," said Lim, a 48-year-old local resident who only provided his surname. Another resident said the legal adjustment would be a "timely" move and a "well-struck balance".
    Lee's announcement, which came on Sunday (August 21), was also welcomed by LGBTQ groups who said in a joint statement they were "relieved". But they also expressed concern that ruling out same-sex marriage would help to perpetuate discrimination.
    It was unclear when exactly Section 377A of Singapore's penal code, a colonial-era law that criminalises sex between men, would be repealed. Under the law, offenders can be jailed for up to two years, but it is not currently actively enforced.
    (Production: Travis Teo, Juarawee Kittisilpa)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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