Why 377A Matters
We are Singaporeans who want our Government to keep Section 377A of the Penal Code.
Here are four reasons why.
- Section 377A is a good law because it protects.
Section 377A is good because it has protective and affirmative functions in Singapore. It is protective because it prohibits a harmful behaviour. It is accepted, given that it will not be enforced, this function is limited. There are many men who are victims of the harms of homosexual sex.
When a person abides by S377A and abstains from homosexual behaviour, he protects himself and others. The existence of S377A informs society that homosexuality is not a norm and it is not healthy. It is unenforced only because of a societal compromise.
- Section 377A is a good law because it affirms.
S377A continues to align itself with the national norm that celebrates and affirms heterosexual unions as a social ideal. This ideal requires state support. Its mere existence has knock-on beneficial effects on many other policies. By retaining S377A together with other relevant policies, we maintain a healthy environment for the upbringing of our next generation.
Non-heterosexual lifestyle cannot be promoted in SG (media) because it is against national values and public morality. Together with other policies, we maintain a healthy environment for the upbringing of our next generation.
- The current position of keeping Section 377A is the right decision.
The current parliamentary position allows LGBTQ persons to live freely in Singapore without threat to life or liberty. At the same time, it protects the freedom of opinions and speech (particularly on the risks and morality of homosexual acts). Disagreement is not discrimination. The current position gives space for various viewpoints to coexist peacefully without further dividing our society.
- LGBTQ activism will not stop at the Repeal of S377A.
Section 377A is the first line of defence against a slew of LGBTQ+ affirming policy changes that would affect virtually every sphere of our lives. The knock-on effects of the repeal of S377A, if it happens, are real. LGBTQ activists will push way beyond the repeal. Ideas have consequences. Bad ideas have victims. The repeal of S377A will cause more men, women and children to become the victims of LGBTQ ideology.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of activists’ demands collated from their 2021 Joint Submissions to the United Nations Human Rights Office Of The High Commissioner (OHCHR) [see Joint Submissions 2, 3, 4 and 6].
- Implement Comprehensive Sexuality Education Programmes (normalises LGBT in schools)
- Extend State healthcare subsidies and financial assistance for transgender healthcare (aka transitioning), and coverage for LGBT persons in same-sex partnerships
- Recognise or allow same-sex marriage in Singapore
- Sensitivity training for mental healthcare and social service professionals to provide “affirming-only” support
- Allow LGBT persons to use Assisted Reproductive Technology (e.g. IVF using sperm donors, surrogacy etc.)
- Recognise same-sex partnerships in housing policies and guidelines
- Amend the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) inheritance laws as it does not entitle people in same-sex partnerships to inherit assets
- Allow change of legal sex simply by a legal declaration of intent to transition (includes pre-sex change surgery to change legal sex)
- Provide option to remove one’s gender marker in NRIC/passport
- Ban all forms of ‘conversion therapy’ (removes the options for therapy that is not blindly affirming of LGBT+, e.g. no prayers or counselling that discourage pursuing LGBT+ life choices)
During the Ready4Repeal townhall in 2018, activists have said that they will not stop at pushing for a repeal of S377A. We, the concerned citizens of Singapore note that the reason advanced by LGBTQ activists to repeal 377A will ultimately be the same reason put forward by them for other legislative changes such as legalising same-sex marriage.
On the above premises, we sincerely and humbly implore our government to retain in full section 377A of the Penal Code. At the same time, we urge the government to further strengthen national education on matters pertaining to national values and public morality.
Thank you.
– Concerned Singaporeans