SINGAPORE: Singapore will decriminalise sex between men but has no plans to change the legal definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Sunday.
LGBTQ groups welcomed Lee's decision to repeal Section 377A of the penal code, a colonial-era law that criminalises sex between men, but also expressed concern that ruling out same-sex marriage would help to perpetuate discrimination.
In his annual national day rally speech, Lee said Singaporean society, especially young people in the city-state, were becoming more accepting of gay people.
"I believe this is the right thing to do, and something that most Singaporeans will now accept," he said.
It was unclear when exactly Section 377A would be repealed.
Singapore becomes the latest Asian country to move toward ending discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community.
In 2018, India's highest court scrapped a colonial-era ban on gay sex, while Thailand has recently edged closer to legalising same-sex unions.
Under Singapore's Section 377A, offenders can be jailed for up to two years under the law, but it is not currently actively enforced. There have been no known convictions for sex between consenting adult males for decades and the law does not include sex between women or other genders.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) groups have brought multiple legal challenges attempting to strike down the law, but none has succeeded.
On Sunday, several LGBTQ rights groups said in a joint statement they were "relieved" by Lee's announcement.
"For everyone who has experienced the kinds of bullying, rejection and harassment enabled by this law, repeal finally enables us to begin the process of healing. For those that long for a more equal and inclusive Singapore, repeal signifies that change is indeed possible," they said in the statement.
But the groups also urged the government not to heed calls from religious conservatives to enshrine the definition of marriage in the constitution, saying this would signal that LGBTQ+ citizens were not equal.
RESISTANCE
In February, Singapore's highest court had ruled that since the law was not being enforced, it did not breach constitutional rights, as the plaintiffs had argued, and it reaffirmed that the law could not be used to prosecute men for having gay sex.
Some religious groups including Muslims, Catholics and some Protestants continued to resist any repeal of the law, Lee said.
An alliance of more than 80 churches expressed strong disappointment on Sunday over the government's decision.
"The repeal is an extremely regrettable decision which will have a profound impact on the culture that our children and future generations of Singaporeans will live in," it said.
Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-religious society of 5.5 million, of whom about 16% are Muslim, with bigger Buddhist and Christian communities. It has a predominantly ethnic Chinese population with sizeable Malay and Indian minorities, according to the 2020 census.
Stressing his government's continued support for the traditional definition of marriage, Lee said: "We believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, that children should be raised within such families, that the traditional family should form the basic building block of society."
Singapore will "protect the definition of marriage from being challenged constitutionally in the courts", he said. "This will help us repeal Section 377A in a controlled and carefully considered way."
Reuters
Mon Aug 22 2022
![Singapore will decriminalise sex between men, no change in marriage rules - PM Singapore will decriminalise sex between men, no change in marriage rules - PM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/71661132751_LeeHsienLoong.jpg)
Lee said the Singaporean society, especially young people in the city-state, were becoming more accepting of gay people. - REUTERS/Filepic
![Penampilan pertama Trump di konvensyen GOP selepas terselamat cubaan bunuh Penampilan pertama Trump di konvensyen GOP selepas terselamat cubaan bunuh](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721113188_DonaldTrump.jpg)
Penampilan pertama Trump di konvensyen GOP selepas terselamat cubaan bunuh
Donald Trump menghadiri Konvensyen Kebangsaan Republikan pada malam Isnin, penampilan umum pertamanya sejak terselamat daripada cubaan bunuh.
![Malaysia pantau perkembangan insiden tembakan di Masjid Muscat Malaysia pantau perkembangan insiden tembakan di Masjid Muscat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71715148599_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia pantau perkembangan insiden tembakan di Masjid Muscat
Wisma Putra melalui Kedutaan Besar Malaysia di Muscat, Oman sedang giat menyelaras usaha dengan pihak berkuasa tempatan untuk mendapatkan maklumat lanjut.
![Ini antara pencapaian Pan-gon bersama Harimau Malaya Ini antara pencapaian Pan-gon bersama Harimau Malaya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721112073_PangonHarimauMal.jpg)
Ini antara pencapaian Pan-gon bersama Harimau Malaya
Kim Pan-gon memiliki rekod yang cukup baik bersama Malaysia, menjadi pengendali Harimau Malaya paling banyak mendapatkan keputusan yang positif sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini.
![Kementerian Komunikasi umum Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa Kementerian Komunikasi umum Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721112865_FahmiFadzil.jpg)
Kementerian Komunikasi umum Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa
Kementerian Komunikasi hari ini mengumumkan Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa pada harga tidak melebihi RM30.
![Messi harap cepat pulih daripada kecederaan Messi harap cepat pulih daripada kecederaan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719647184_LionelMessi.jpg)
Messi harap cepat pulih daripada kecederaan
Kapten Argentina, Lionel Messi berharap agar beliau cepat pulih daripada kecederaan buku lali yang dialaminya perlawanan akhir Copa America.
![MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721105894_AhmadZahidHamidi.jpg)
MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid
MARA diminta untuk terus meneroka potensi antarabangsa dalam industri halal yang mempunyai prospek besar menerusi program Gate to Global (GTG).
Saya akan rindu bau durian - Kim Pan-gon
Menurut Kim Pan-gon, beliau akan tetap bangga dengan pasukan bola sepak Malaysia walaupun dimana beliau berada.
Katanya beliau akan merindui bau durian dan langit Malaysia. #AWANInews
Katanya beliau akan merindui bau durian dan langit Malaysia. #AWANInews
Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan berikutan komitmen peribadi
Pengurus pasukan kebangsaan Malaysia, Kim Pan-gon menyatakan perletakan jawatan tersebut kerana komitmen peribadi.
#AWANInews
#AWANInews
![Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721102997_SimposiumDronKeban.jpg)
Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi
Penggunaan dron membolehkan pemantauan pencemaran alam sekitar dan hidupan liar serta pencerobohan hutan dilaksanakan dengan lebih berkesan.
![Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan ketua jurulatih, akan terus rindui sokongan rakyat Malaysia Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan ketua jurulatih, akan terus rindui sokongan rakyat Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/71718142997_KimPanGon.jpg)
Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan ketua jurulatih, akan terus rindui sokongan rakyat Malaysia
Beliau telah mengadakan pertemuan dengan Presiden FAM Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, sebelum kedua-dua mereka mencapai persetujuan berhubung keputusannya itu.
![PM Singapura Lawrence Wong sampai ucapan Perhimpunan Hari Kebangsaan pertama 18 Ogos PM Singapura Lawrence Wong sampai ucapan Perhimpunan Hari Kebangsaan pertama 18 Ogos](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720587460_tbLawrenceWong.jpg)
PM Singapura Lawrence Wong sampai ucapan Perhimpunan Hari Kebangsaan pertama 18 Ogos
Perdana Menteri Singapura, Lawrence Wong akan menyampaikan ucapan Perhimpunan Hari Kebangsaan pertamanya pada 18 Ogos.
![Singapura dijangka kekal stabil meskipun tidak lagi dipimpin keluarga Lee - Penganalisis Singapura dijangka kekal stabil meskipun tidak lagi dipimpin keluarga Lee - Penganalisis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81715807421_LawrenceWong.jpg)
Singapura dijangka kekal stabil meskipun tidak lagi dipimpin keluarga Lee - Penganalisis
Seperkara yang perlu kita beri kredit kepada kepimpinan di Singapura ialah peralihan pemimpin yang sistematik.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Lawrence Wong sah PM Singapura baharu, Lee Hsien Loong kini Menteri Kanan Lawrence Wong sah PM Singapura baharu, Lee Hsien Loong kini Menteri Kanan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71715776284_tbLawrenceWong.jpg)
Lawrence Wong sah PM Singapura baharu, Lee Hsien Loong kini Menteri Kanan
Timbalan Setiausaha Agung Parti Tindakan Rakyat (PAP) Singapura, Lawrence Wong, 51, secara rasminya mengangkat sumpah sebagai Perdana Menteri Republik itu yang baharu, pada Rabu.
![Jemaah Menteri Malaysia rakam ucapan tahniah kepada Lawrence Wong Jemaah Menteri Malaysia rakam ucapan tahniah kepada Lawrence Wong](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41715762195_TBFahmiFadzilsida.jpg)
Jemaah Menteri Malaysia rakam ucapan tahniah kepada Lawrence Wong
Ucapan itu antara intipati mesyuarat Kabinet dipengerusikan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, di Putrajaya pada Rabu.
![Hubungan dengan Malaysia baik tetapi masih ada isu untuk diselesaikan pengganti, kata PM Lee Hubungan dengan Malaysia baik tetapi masih ada isu untuk diselesaikan pengganti, kata PM Lee](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/61690968147_TBSINGAPOREVACCINE.jpg)
Hubungan dengan Malaysia baik tetapi masih ada isu untuk diselesaikan pengganti, kata PM Lee
Perdana Menteri Singapura Lee Hsien Loong, berkata hubungan republik itu dengan Malaysia "umumnya baik" tetapi masih ada beberapa isu yang perlu diselesaikan penggantinya.
![Agong zahir ucapan terima kasih kepada PM Lee kerana jadi rakan karib Malaysia Agong zahir ucapan terima kasih kepada PM Lee kerana jadi rakan karib Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81715009694_Agong.jpg)
Agong zahir ucapan terima kasih kepada PM Lee kerana jadi rakan karib Malaysia
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim hari ini menzahirkan ucapan terima kasih kepada Perdana Menteri Singapura Lee Hsien Loong, yang bakal berundur, kerana menjadi rakan karib Johor dan Malaysia.
![Agong, Raja Permaisuri berangkat ke Singapura pada 6, 7 Mei Agong, Raja Permaisuri berangkat ke Singapura pada 6, 7 Mei](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81714900694_TBSULTANIBRAHIM.jpg)
Agong, Raja Permaisuri berangkat ke Singapura pada 6, 7 Mei
Keberangkatan Seri Paduka Baginda berdua ke negara berkenaan adalah atas jemputan Presiden Singapura, Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
![PM Lee akan hadir Pemukiman Pemimpin Singapura-Indonesia di Bogor PM Lee akan hadir Pemukiman Pemimpin Singapura-Indonesia di Bogor](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81714173616_JokoWidodoleehsien.jpg)
PM Lee akan hadir Pemukiman Pemimpin Singapura-Indonesia di Bogor
Ini merupakan permukiman ketujuh dihadiri Lee dan Pemukiman Pemimpin terakhir dengan Joko Widodo yang lebih dikenali sebagai Jokowi.
![Lee Hsien Loong akan dilantik Menteri Kanan - Lawrence Wong Lee Hsien Loong akan dilantik Menteri Kanan - Lawrence Wong](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81713172917_TBLawrenceWong.jpg)
Lee Hsien Loong akan dilantik Menteri Kanan - Lawrence Wong
Lee Hsien Loong akan kekal dalam kabinet kerajaan Singapura sebagai Menteri Kanan selepas meletak jawatan sebagai Perdana Menteri.