The looming cloud that hangs over every gay man in Singapore. That one law within the penal code that states:
377A. Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years.
Source: Singapore Statutes
While the government has stated that it will not actively enforce the law, the fact that this law is still in existence in our statutes still carries with it the notion of criminalisation.
In September this year, a third constitutional challenge was filed , gaining lots of reaction from the two camps in Singapore.
Opinions for and against the repeal are plenty. To go through it all will create one lengthy post. But I feel a timely reminder here would serve as a good start.
Remember, just one thing. Our Pledge.
How would retaining the act build a country based on justice and equality? Should it be right then to expect these gay men to serve as a fellow Singaporean, yet criminalising them at the same time?
With this law still included within our statutes, I am still branded as a criminal in my own own country. But to me as far as I am concerned, I am not. I'm out. I'm proud. And I still served the Nation. Which is why I am taking a stand for Section 377A to be repealed.
Many may not agree to the whole "lifestyle choice". However, it is neither a lifestyle nor a choice. It is an innate part of me.
We have seen progress and acceptance. It is now just the time for that bit of action.
It may not matter or be of significance to you. But it could be to someone that matters. It is not about me wanting to be able to sleep around as and when I want to. It is about my rights to equal protection.
As such,
‘Ready 4 Repeal’ is an online movement for the repeal of Section 377A of the Singapore Penal Code. We started the movement because Section 377A was being excluded (yet again) from the Penal Code review, and we didn’t want the LGBTQ+ community to be left behind.
Even if it’s not enforced, Section 377A relegates our gay friends and relatives to second class citizenship by signalling that what they do, and who they are, is condemnable and wrong.
The broader implications of this law results in:
Poor physical and mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ people;
Harassment and discrimination against LGBTQ+ employees in the workplace, often with impunity;
Denial of legal registration to LGBTQ+ organisations;
Censorship of any positive portrayals of LGBTQ+ individuals and relationships in the local media;
Absence of objective and comprehensive education in schools about gender identity and sexual orientation; and
Restrictions on the promotion of HIV prevention and treatment programmes by public health providers amongst the LGBTQ+ community.
The continued existence of this archaic law today prevents our fellow LGBTQ+ Singaporeans from freely exercising the right to individual choice, expression and dignity.
#Ready4Repeal
Find out more on how you can support the Ready4Repeal movement on their site.
If it matters to you also, do sign the petition.
Sources & Information
