Singapore lifts gay sex ban but limits prospect of marriage equality
Singapore’s parliament repealed a colonial-era law that criminalised sex between men in a groundbreaking change. The legislation was introduced during British colonial rule of the country, with punishment being up to two years imprisonment – though this has not been actively enforced in recent years.
Activists in the country have criticised the law as encouraging discrimination and a culture of shame around gay relationships.
There have been a number of failed attempts to repeal it previously. A gay Singaporean man told the Guardian, it was “one less reason for me to hide my true self, because of some archaic law.
But this is just the first step to remove the social and religious stigma that has been upon the community because of outdated beliefs, and media censorship.” However, government officials have made it clear that they do not intend to legalise same-sex marriage anytime soon.
