Singapore repealed its controversial colonial-era law banning gay sex, but will not let go of its conservative values. Singapore has also added legal protection to its definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman. Section 377A penal code had previously threatened men with two years in jail if caught in “any act of gross indecency”, especially referring to any homosexual act.

PM Lee Hsien Loong declared on state television during the city-state’s National Day rally that, ” I believe this is the right thig to do and something that most Singaporeans would accept”. Further he added, “some relief to gay Singaporeans”. PM has also promised to protect the definition of marriage from being challenged constitutionally in the courts. While it has not been enforced for decades and only applies to men, the ban which has been found similarly in other former British colonies in South Asia.

Lee’s speech at the annual National Day Rally, vowed to repeal the law with limitation and not shake Singapore’s traditional family and societal norms. Which includes how marriage is defined, what children must be taught in schools, and what is shown on television and general public conduct. Further he said that the government will amend the constitution to ensure that there can be no constitutional challenge to allow same-sex marriage.

people celebrate repeal of section 377A in Singapore

Other former British colonies still retain similar law that criminalize sex between men, including neighbouring country Malaysia, where former deputy premier was jailed twice for sodomy. In 2018, India decriminalized gay sex after its Supreme Court in a historic ruling struck down section 377 that punished gay sex by up to 10 years in prison. Some governments have also moved to legalize gay marriage, with Taiwan as the first in 2019. Thailand also recently approved plans allowing same-sex unions.

Gay sex or gay marriage should be legalized now as sexuality has no limitation when two straight people are accepted in the society in the same way same-sex marriages should also be included in the marriage institution. Modernization of time and society comes with people moving forward not backward. Moves of Asian countries to legalize same-sex marriages or gay-sex is a great move for moving ahead of its time.