Despite this, the country will not change the legal definition of marriage, authorized only between a man and a woman.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Sunday (21.Aug.2022) that the country will decriminalize sexual intercourse between men. In a speech to the population, the prime minister said that local society is more open to the issue.
“I believe this is the right thing to do, and something that most Singaporeans will now accept”he said.
Loong did not specify when the new law will take effect. To do so, a section of the Singapore Constitution must be repealed. The text determines the arrest of men caught in the act having sex with each other. For years, however, no arrest has been recorded for this reason.
The legislation does not cite an offense for sex between women.
Despite the advance against discrimination, Singapore will still keep marriage restricted to the union between a man and a woman.
“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 foundation of society.”said the prime minister
This has led the LGBTQIA+ community to question the local government’s decision. The group said “relieved” for decriminalization, but said the legislation could perpetuate prejudice against homosexuals.
An alliance of Singaporean churches criticized the decision. He declared that decriminalization goes against the “traditional family” and that children should be brought up on this foundation.
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