The controversy over whether to legalise same-sex marriage has always been debated by countries across the globe. Society norms define marriage as a godly union between a man and a woman, a necessity for reproduction, and continuation of generations. Given that homosexuality defied this godly union, people have mixed responses as to whether such behaviour or thinking should be allowed.
In Singapore, homosexuality was seen as a criminalized act because it went against all conventional expectations of proper behaviour and thinking, against human’s nature for reproduction, against all religions. Under the current gay sex law in Section 377A of the panel code, any male that commits or attempts to commit any act of gross indecency with another male will be liable for punishment of up to 2 years imprisonment in jail. While we are debating on whether to retain the 377A law, many western countries are already doing away the gay sex law and legalising same-sex marriage. Given the compelling western influence in Singapore, we are still unable to break away from conservatism. The majority of Singaporeans are still unwilling to accept homosexuality in the society.
While trying to assure that 377A law is here to stay, Singapore government welcome gays into civil services and permits gay bars and spas in Singapore. They are willing to accept gays into the society yet are adamant that Singapore remains a conservative society. These contradictory moves made by the government sparked the debate on whether Singapore is progressing with the country’s modernised and forward-thinking image.
On the other hand, gay rights advocates are trying to convince the Singapore government to abolish the gay-sex laws. It is more than just the gay rights that these advocates are fighting for; it is the fight for equality, the fight for protection against discrimination amongst the majority, the fight for individual’s right to privacy. Even as the government assures the gay community in Singapore that ‘they will not actively prosecute them’, it is not enough. There are still restrictions as long as the gay-sex law remain. For one, the gay sex law restrict any sexual activities between two males with the threat of punishment Gays live in constant fear of being prosecuted if caught committing gay sexual acts. Moreover, any display of gay acts publicly, such as in movies or advertisements, are subjected to strict censorship.
The gay sex law also prevents committed homosexual couples from marrying legally. They may have longed for the day when they could do what a heterosexual couple did—walk down the aisle donned in gowns or suits, take marriage vows in witness of everyone present, and sealed their love eternally with the exchange of rings. Most importantly, they hope to have the legal means to take care of each other, especially in times of crisis. Freedom to express love openly to each other, a chance to start a family together, the liberty to enjoy the same spousal rights given to a heterosexual couple, the legalisation of same-sex marriage would have made all these dreams come through. However, all these seemed impossible with the gay sex law.
If the government could just stand out to protect these minorities, to do away the gay sex law, to give them their equal rights as civilians, then maybe someday Singapore could become the open-minded and equal society that we claim to be.
Somehow, we could never really predict whether Singapore will become the ideal society that we thought up to be. Only the future knows.
