Pinned down by gay audience members at a recent public forum held to discuss the proposed amendments to the Penal Code last Saturday, the Workers' Party (WP) - Singapore's main opposition party - revealed that the party is spilt on the issue of decriminalisation of gay sex and thus will not take the matter up in Parliament.
Last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced that the ministry is looking to repeal Section 377 which criminalises oral and anal sex between consenting heterosexual adults but will maintain the status quo in continuing to outlaw sex between men because "Singapore remains, by and large, a conservative society" and "many do not tolerate homosexuality."
"We did actually have quite an intensive discussion on the matter," Lim revealed. "And while there is sympathy for the liberal view that people should be able to do what we want, unfortunately we are divided over this issue of gay sex; whether it is right to push for the decriminalisation of gay sex in Singapore."
She concluded by saying that the party would not "move this forward as part of the party agenda" and thus "will not be making any submission." The wide-ranging amendments to the Penal Code are expected to be tabled to Parliament early this year. (Reporting by Ng Yi-Sheng)
For a more detailed report on the Workers' Party forum, visit Fridae columnist Alex Au's blog yawningbread.org.
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Reader's Comments
Even if the WP speak up for us gays, will their minority status change the mindset of formidable media bias (that opposition parties face) and that of the PAP?
C'mon, give WP a break!
That the WP are divided over the question is a good sign - better than united. Perhaps the division will continue to the point that they allow equal rights to all citizens.
Sylvia Lim said "...for the liberal view that people should be able to do what we want...". Dear Sylvia - its a HUMAN RIGHT not a "liberal view"! A HUMAN RIGHTTTTTT - It's called civilisation.
Your country is shamed by its lack of equal rights. Get with the 90's!
As with other issues including the death penalty, Singapore falls below what I would consider the minimum standard for human rights issues.
The alternative for us is either to run for government or to take our tax dollars elsewhere. I pay 40% tax for my civil liberties and my right to exist exactly as I intend as a gay man and I don't regret a penny!
Hope Singapore will be the first country acceptable homosexuality country in Asia.
Then I will imegrate to Singapore.......very soon haha
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