Singapore has repealed a law that criminalizes homosexuality

Singapore’s parliament on Tuesday 29 November repealed a colonial-era law criminalizing sex between men. This discriminatory and stigmatizing law carried a maximum sentence of two years in prison, but was no longer enforced.

However, Singapore’s parliament also amended the local constitution to specify that marriage can only be between a man and a woman, preventing same-sex couples from gaining marriage equality.

The city-state’s premier, Lee Hsien Loong, announced the cancellation in late August. “I believe this is the right thing to do and what most Singaporeans will now accept”he said during his speech. According to the Prime Minister, the situation has changed compared to 2007, when the government decided to maintain this law.

At that time, the legislation was reformed for the first time, removing the ban on female-only relationships and sodomy between heterosexuals. gay men “It’s much more accepted now”In Singapore, the Prime Minister noted in the summer. Repeal of the law “Legislation will lead to the evolution of mentalities”Still rated by Lee Hsien Loong.

The law, which was carried over from British colonial rule, provided for a maximum of two years in prison for homosexual acts. It is not enforced in practice, but gay rights advocates say it still denies members of the gay community their rights, despite the city-state’s increasingly modern culture.