Echoing the general tenor of this week's parliamentary
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2025 5:47 am
The statute, which was added to Singapore's penal code almost 100 years ago while under British control, threatened punishment of up to two years in prison for men who engaged in sex of any kind with other men, even if sex was consensual and took place in private. Although LGBTQ+ activists in Singapore acknowledged that the law as stated, called Section 377A, has not been enforced in decades, they still celebrated what advocacy group Pink Dot, referencing the repeal, told AFP was a "historic milestone for LGBTQ+ equality."
Law Minister K. Shanmugam said in remarks given at Parliament on Monday that, because sex between men is unrelated to "public order issues" in Singapore, engaging in it should not be criminalized. meetings to discuss lifting the ban, Shanmugam also said that leaving the decision up to the courts could potentially have "consequences on family policies."
SINGAPORE-LGBT-RIGHTS
Supporters attend the annual "Pink Dot" event in a public telegram database show of support for the LGBT community at Hong Lim Park in Singapore on June 18, 2022.
Getty Images
In the same string of sessions held to repeal Section 377A, members of parliament established an amendment to Singapore's constitution that upholds the definition of marriage as a heterosexual relationship and prevents courts from challenging that definition, as well as policies related to marriage, instead leaving all decisions on those matters to the executive and legislature. In effect, the amendment substantially limits the possibility of legalized marriage for LGBTQ+ people happening in Singapore.
Responding to both parliamentary decisions, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was "happy" with the outcomes and called both constitutional changes "balanced, wise steps forward" in a Facebook post.
Law Minister K. Shanmugam said in remarks given at Parliament on Monday that, because sex between men is unrelated to "public order issues" in Singapore, engaging in it should not be criminalized. meetings to discuss lifting the ban, Shanmugam also said that leaving the decision up to the courts could potentially have "consequences on family policies."
SINGAPORE-LGBT-RIGHTS
Supporters attend the annual "Pink Dot" event in a public telegram database show of support for the LGBT community at Hong Lim Park in Singapore on June 18, 2022.
Getty Images
In the same string of sessions held to repeal Section 377A, members of parliament established an amendment to Singapore's constitution that upholds the definition of marriage as a heterosexual relationship and prevents courts from challenging that definition, as well as policies related to marriage, instead leaving all decisions on those matters to the executive and legislature. In effect, the amendment substantially limits the possibility of legalized marriage for LGBTQ+ people happening in Singapore.
Responding to both parliamentary decisions, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was "happy" with the outcomes and called both constitutional changes "balanced, wise steps forward" in a Facebook post.