Repeal s377A

I’d think of something funny to write about anything, but this isn’t one of the times that warrants any nonsense. I cut and paste for you an open letter to the Prime Minister which I hope you will read, then click on the link to the repeal377a.com site, and then add your name to the list. I also hope you put your real name, occupation and constituency, just to give it a bit more weight.

Why repeal s377A? I reckon, at least, for the same reasons the other provisions of s377 were repealed – such as the provision for ‘marital immunity‘, for when a husband rapes a wife. Repugnant, no?

I urge you, go to the site, sign the letter. Else we risk being citizens of the most irrelevant backwater, and a really small one at that.

Thank you.

The Prime Minister
Mr. Lee Hsien Loong
Prime Minister’s Office
Orchard Road
Istana
Singapore 238823

Subject: Abolition OF Section 377A, Penal Code

Dear Prime Minister,

As a citizen of Singapore, I write to appeal to your sense of fairness and equality, to take the lead to move Parliament and your party on issues related to s377A, Penal Code. I strongly believe that it should be repealed, not just for the benefit of the gay community, but also for the good of all Singaporeans. I also firmly believe that the time to repeal s377A, Penal Code is now, not later.

The reasons why this repeal is so important are manifold.

1. Singapore’s Founding Principles.
2. Constitutional and Legal Rights.
3. International Social Mores and Trends.
4. Domestic Social Mores and Trends.
5. Damage to the Gay Community.
6. Pragmatism, Leadership and the Future.

1. Singapore’s Founding Principles
Singapore was founded on the basis of justice and equality. This is reflected in our pledge. From the start, Singapore as a nation has staunchly upheld multiculturalism, with diverse groups living together in harmony by respecting each other’s differences. This has been the cornerstone of our country’s success. Since then, these principles have been further strengthened. For example:

– In 1966, a Constitutional Commission was formed to study how the rights of minorities can be safeguarded.
– The implementation of the GRC in our electoral system ensures that racial minorities are adequately represented.
– The Women’s Charter was amended to safeguard women’s rights.

Legislating that certain sexual acts are legal for heterosexuals but illegal for gay men is tantamount to our country taking an active step (for the first time) to discriminate against a minority group. That goes against everything we, as Singaporeans, have been taught to believe in and hold dear.

2. Constitutional and Legal Rights
Section 377A contravenes Singapore’s Constitution which grants equal rights to treatment and protection for everyone. This law is unequivocally discriminatory. We believe a gay man should have exactly the same rights as a straight man or woman.

We understand that there are elements of our society that do not see being gay in a positive light. They are entitled to their opinion. But their opinion should not infringe upon the rights of this – or any – group of Singaporeans. This holds true even if those who disapprove of gay people outnumber those who support them. In fact, it is the responsibility of any democratically elected government to protect minorities from the “tyranny of the majority”.

Section 377A violates an individuals’s right to privacy. Especially since what we are talking about is a choice between consenting adults and hurts no one.

Furthermore, the government’s self-avowed compromise of having s377A on the books but not enforcing it will bring Singapore’s justice system into disrepute. The Council of the Law Society states in its report to the Ministry Of Home Affairs dated March 30, 2007, that the law as it stands “cannot be justified”. The Council goes further to argue that the proper function of criminal law “is to protect others from harm by punishing harmful conduct. Private consensual homosexual conduct between adults does not cause harm recognisable by the criminal law. Thus, regardless of one’s personal view of the morality or otherwise of such conduct, it should not be made a criminal offence”.

Singapore has always taken pride in being a country where the rule of law is transparent, fair and clear cut. This reputation has served us well and contributed in no small way to our country’s success and should not be eroded by this aberration.

3. International Trends
The courts of many major countries have held the equivalent of s377A to be discriminatory, an invasion of privacy and unconstitutional. This is not only in Europe and America. It includes the UN Human Rights Committee, S, Africa and most recently Hong Kong. The legislatures in UK, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia and even China have also passed laws decriminalising such acts.

Singapore will be woefully out-of-step with the rest of the world should it move to retain this Victorian legislation only weeks after Newsweek magazine’s cover story proclaimed that “the battle for gay rights is gaining ground across the globe” and hailed the repeal of laws similar to s377A across the globe as “a global civil-rights revolution”.

4. Domestic Trends
The attitude of Singaporeans have become much more accepting of alternative sexuality. Between 2000 and 2005, the level of acceptance has changed from 10% to more than 30%. The latest figure is taken from Mark Cenite and B. Detenber’s article in the International Journal of Public Opinion Research. Furthermore, the Straits Times online census in July 2007 indicated a tolerance level of 55%.

Admittedly, different public polls can often illustrate contrasting views and the sum of all these statistics makes it difficult to get a clear view of popular sentiment. However we believe that the law of our land does not exist to be popular, but to be fair and just for all people. This is a belief we know is shared by many.

5. Damage to the Gay Community

If the current amendment bill succeeds, the resulting law will become a bitter symbol to many gay Singaporean men, young and old. It will hinder greater understanding and integration of these people, who are often responsible, invaluable and highly respected contributing members of society. The only thing that makes these people different from the majority of Singaporeans is that they are biologically-pre-disposed to love differently. It will be a slap in the face to their significant contributions and encourage many more to leave our shores for more open-minded societies. Singapore’s most valuable resource is its citizens. We cannot afford to lose them.

S377A will also affect the status and moral citizenship of gay men in society. The government has openly welcomed gays and lesbians into the civil service. But this law will only discourage equal-treatment for gay employees everywhere and diminish the moral standing these men and have rightfully earned. We fear it will be a seed for further acts of discrimination.

Criminalising gay sex also impedes effective safer-sex messages being disseminated effectively to gay men and other men at risk of contracting HIV. There are numerous studies which have concluded that HIV prevention programs in environments where gay sex is criminalised are resoundingly ineffective. The fight against HIV/AIDS is an important issue which affects all Singaporeans. There should be no impediment to getting this life saving information out.

Branding gays as outlaws will be destructive to the self-worth of those individuals and could lead to an increased incidence of self-harm. Thought should also be given to gay youth who struggle deeply with this issue. This law would only add more trauma to what is already a very difficult period in their lives.

6. Pragmatism, Leadership and the Future
You and our government have always shown a willingness to make tough pragmatic decisions for the best interests of our country. Decisions made with conviction, despite opposition from various interest groups, religious organisations and minorities.

In a recent address at NUS, you talked about this issue and said that “we will not reach consensus however much we discuss it. The views are passionately held on both sides. The more you discuss it, the angrier they become. The subject will not go away.” Having admitted that we are at an impasse, it seems only logical that the way to move forward is for the government to take a lead with the same conviction and leadership it has always shown.

We keep hearing that Singapore society is ‘too conservative’ for this law to be repealed. This is not a strong enough reason to deny a group of Singaporeans equal rights. Far more conservative countries have done away with laws like these and are none the worse for it. We are a modern, democratic and secular state. While there will always be a place for conservative mores, we also need to protect and nurture space for tolerance and open-mindedness to flourish.

You have often said that your goal is to create a tolerant and progressive society for all Singaporeans. We urge you to now demonstrate your commitment to achieve this goal. Repealing this biased law will be a symbolic milestone to signal to fellow Singaporeans and the world that this is the vision of Singapore that we all share.

Yours faithfully,

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22 responses to “Repeal s377A”

  1. Anon Avatar
    Anon

    Yeap. It’s high time Singaporeans get together and speak up against discrimination!

  2. Anon Avatar
    Anon

    Yeap. It’s high time Singaporeans get together and speak up against discrimination!

  3. holyhunk Avatar

    Just as the gay minority has valid and needful concerns, the sounds of the ungay majority remain loud and clear. Face it, there are boundaries to uphold, and we cannot conclude that because more and more issues fall within the grey areas we are left with the only best solution: Anything goes as long as one pleases, and to quote someone, as long as we don’t “trample on others”.

    Let me confess having been sexually harassed by gays at nightspots, having gay friends who are mostly promiscuous and surely unapologetic about public display of sexually explicit behaviour. I’m not implying there aren’t perversive straight men out there. I’m just saying that by the numbers and by proportion, it seems obvious enough that hedonism is the primary pursuit of most gay people.

    Shoot me with your rebuttals, if you will.

  4. holyhunk Avatar

    Just as the gay minority has valid and needful concerns, the sounds of the ungay majority remain loud and clear. Face it, there are boundaries to uphold, and we cannot conclude that because more and more issues fall within the grey areas we are left with the only best solution: Anything goes as long as one pleases, and to quote someone, as long as we don’t “trample on others”.

    Let me confess having been sexually harassed by gays at nightspots, having gay friends who are mostly promiscuous and surely unapologetic about public display of sexually explicit behaviour. I’m not implying there aren’t perversive straight men out there. I’m just saying that by the numbers and by proportion, it seems obvious enough that hedonism is the primary pursuit of most gay people.

    Shoot me with your rebuttals, if you will.

  5. oftheminority Avatar
    oftheminority

    Hi holyhunk,

    I would like to rephrase one of the statements you’ve made.

    “It seems obvious enough that hedonism is the primary pursuit of most promiscuous people.”

    Statistics has its value and its place but isn’t the real point of the entire issue (and the numerous issues that have been debated over ages) about human beings? Remember that there is a face behind each number. Each statement made has its impact on people. Whether one is straight or gay, s/he has feelings. The issue at hand here is equality and the right to live one’s life.

    Let us look beyond the number of people who support repealing S377A or keeping it. Think of the people behind the statistics. How would you feel if you are one of us?

  6. oftheminority Avatar
    oftheminority

    Hi holyhunk,

    I would like to rephrase one of the statements you’ve made.

    “It seems obvious enough that hedonism is the primary pursuit of most promiscuous people.”

    Statistics has its value and its place but isn’t the real point of the entire issue (and the numerous issues that have been debated over ages) about human beings? Remember that there is a face behind each number. Each statement made has its impact on people. Whether one is straight or gay, s/he has feelings. The issue at hand here is equality and the right to live one’s life.

    Let us look beyond the number of people who support repealing S377A or keeping it. Think of the people behind the statistics. How would you feel if you are one of us?

  7. NotTheMajority Avatar
    NotTheMajority

    Dear HolyHunk,

    During the age of apartheid in S.Africa, it was alright to trample on blacks. In many societies prior to the 2nd half of 20th century, women were not allowed to vote. Voting was perhaps the least of their concerns as many were bound by strict societal traditions which does not accord any rights to women. Women were servants to their lord, the men. But that’s ok because the voices of the majority in those days were loud and clear: Blacks are born to be slaves while women are…just women and not much more.

    While I also know of (gay) friends who are promiscuous and non-apologetic about it, I know even more who are non-promiscuous and just want to make friends and hopefully enter into a meaningful relationship with a loved one. This is a basic human need.

    I believe promiscuity is a hallmark of most men, gay or straight. Just take a walk down Geylang and you’ll see why. Nowadays, even the heartlands are not spared, judging by the number of so-called health centres (for men, by ladies) sprouting all over our little island. Or go online and check out the forums at Sammyboy.com (just an example)

    Yours sincerely,
    NotTheMajority

  8. NotTheMajority Avatar
    NotTheMajority

    Dear HolyHunk,

    During the age of apartheid in S.Africa, it was alright to trample on blacks. In many societies prior to the 2nd half of 20th century, women were not allowed to vote. Voting was perhaps the least of their concerns as many were bound by strict societal traditions which does not accord any rights to women. Women were servants to their lord, the men. But that’s ok because the voices of the majority in those days were loud and clear: Blacks are born to be slaves while women are…just women and not much more.

    While I also know of (gay) friends who are promiscuous and non-apologetic about it, I know even more who are non-promiscuous and just want to make friends and hopefully enter into a meaningful relationship with a loved one. This is a basic human need.

    I believe promiscuity is a hallmark of most men, gay or straight. Just take a walk down Geylang and you’ll see why. Nowadays, even the heartlands are not spared, judging by the number of so-called health centres (for men, by ladies) sprouting all over our little island. Or go online and check out the forums at Sammyboy.com (just an example)

    Yours sincerely,
    NotTheMajority

  9. kairin Avatar

    ever since this whole saga of repealing 377a went online. i concluded my thoughts with the following questions.

    what are bigots?

    what is the role of a government?

    what is discrimination?

    i hope when everyone out there found an answer to their questions, we would be beyond tolerating people who are different from us.

    be it skin colour.

    language.

    appearance.

    sexual preferences (or the lack thereof).

  10. kairin Avatar

    ever since this whole saga of repealing 377a went online. i concluded my thoughts with the following questions.

    what are bigots?

    what is the role of a government?

    what is discrimination?

    i hope when everyone out there found an answer to their questions, we would be beyond tolerating people who are different from us.

    be it skin colour.

    language.

    appearance.

    sexual preferences (or the lack thereof).

  11. holyhunk Avatar

    I applaude our government’s stand of ambiguity.

    Unlike kairin, the words ‘bigotry’ and ‘discrimination’ do not come to mind AT ALL, as I follow through the 377A saga. I applaude the fact that we have prudent rulers and policy makers who recognise the need for healthy balance (between extremes) and moderation.

  12. holyhunk Avatar

    I applaude our government’s stand of ambiguity.

    Unlike kairin, the words ‘bigotry’ and ‘discrimination’ do not come to mind AT ALL, as I follow through the 377A saga. I applaude the fact that we have prudent rulers and policy makers who recognise the need for healthy balance (between extremes) and moderation.

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  14. L. Avatar
    L.

    would it be more important to help Singaporeans understand the immense struggle homosexuals face and hence learn to see past the sexual orientation of a person to accept him/her for who he/she is, or to channel all our energy into campaigning for the abolishment of a single law?

    would the abolishment of this law lead to a sudden acceptance of homosexuals among the citizens of our nation?

    i believe that a law is as good as it can get; while we as thinking live human beings can do so much more. “Think of the people behind the statistics.” – oftheminority. all is summed up in that single statement.

  15. L. Avatar
    L.

    would it be more important to help Singaporeans understand the immense struggle homosexuals face and hence learn to see past the sexual orientation of a person to accept him/her for who he/she is, or to channel all our energy into campaigning for the abolishment of a single law?

    would the abolishment of this law lead to a sudden acceptance of homosexuals among the citizens of our nation?

    i believe that a law is as good as it can get; while we as thinking live human beings can do so much more. “Think of the people behind the statistics.” – oftheminority. all is summed up in that single statement.

  16. holyhunk Avatar
    holyhunk

    What if I tell you I have been speaking from past experience, from being one of the
    “people behind the statistics” who are “struggling immensely”, from being caught in a whirlwind of finding my so-called sexual identity, from ultimately finding sexual freedom in the less-than-expected way?

    Would you then hear me out, now that I’m speaking as a “minority of the minorities”? Do I have a place to stand in the gay minority, who will throw darts at me for betraying the gay theory?

  17. holyhunk Avatar
    holyhunk

    What if I tell you I have been speaking from past experience, from being one of the
    “people behind the statistics” who are “struggling immensely”, from being caught in a whirlwind of finding my so-called sexual identity, from ultimately finding sexual freedom in the less-than-expected way?

    Would you then hear me out, now that I’m speaking as a “minority of the minorities”? Do I have a place to stand in the gay minority, who will throw darts at me for betraying the gay theory?

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