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Singapore decriminalizes gay sex but defines marriage as heterosexual institution – JURIST

The Singaporean Parliament Tuesday voted to repeal a ban on gay sex in the country. The law was remained from the colonial era and did not enjoy support from the Singaporean public.In August, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s announced that his government intended to repeal the law. While the law was not enforced in Singapore, many people believe it still discriminated against and demeaned gay people. Minister for Law K Shanmugam argued:The time has come for us to remove Section 377A. It humiliates and hurts gay people. Most gay people do not cause harm to others. They just want to live peacefully and quietly, and be accepted as part of society the same as any other Singaporean. They could be our family, friends or colleagues, and they deserve dignity, respect and acceptance.While gay sex was decriminalized, members of Parliament simultaneously decided to amend Singapore’s constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman. Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli stated that defining marriage in the constitution will lead to “greater protection” for marriage and family in Singapore. Masagos explained:On our part, the Government is doing all it can to promote social norms and values aligned to the current definition of marriage. But it is not something the Government can accomplish on its own. The transmission of social values to the next generation is something Singaporeans practice within their own families and with their loved ones.Other ministers and members of parliament agreed with Masagos, stating that defining marriage as a heterosexual institution is in the best interest of the Singaporean population.Some members of parliament expressed opposition to the constitutional amendment. MP Hazel Poa argued that the issue of marriage is important to many Singaporeans and should therefore be turned over to the public to define.