10/24/2007
Singapore Retains Sodomy Ban for Gays, Lifts it for Straights
The debate is over (for now) in Singapore, where the nation's Parliament just decriminalized oral and anal sex for consenting heterosexual adults but refused to do the same for gays. Gay sex remains punishable by two years in prison there.
Australia's Daily Telegraph reports:
"Member of Parliament Siew Kum Hong, who supported the petition, said legalising sexual acts between two consenting heterosexual adults, while refusing to decriminalise the same acts between homosexual men, was discriminatory. But Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong weighed in for the retention of the law, saying that Singapore remains a conservative society - with the traditional family as its main building bloc - and homosexuals cannot set the tone for the mainstream. Abolishing the law could 'send the wrong signal' and push gay activists to ask for more concessions, such as same-sex marriage and parenting, Mr Lee said. Gays 'are free to lead their lives and pursue their social activities,' the Prime Minister said, citing the existence of gay websites and gay bars. 'But there are restraints, and we do not approve of them setting the tone of mainstream society,' he said. 'They live their lives, that's their personal space. But the tone of the overall society, I think, it remains conventional, it remains straight and we want it to remain so.' Lee said keeping the statute unchanged, while not aggressively enforcing it, remained the best option."
Sure, give 'em their websites and bars, but the right to love one another as human beings? Forget it. Reminds me a bit of this moment from John McCain.
The largest review of the nation's Penal Code in 22 years had been marked by vigorous debate over the issue, including an online petition signed by over 8,000 people.
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 8:55 AM EST by Andy in Gay Rights, News, Singapore | Permalink
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Well, Shabaka: Looks like we were wrong about the Far East being so progressive. So, somebody's got to have a vagina if you want to do oral or anal sex. What are homos supposed to do? FROTTAGE? That's boring. Ya' got to stick somethin' in somethin', don't you? Unless, of course, you're in love; then, I guess you, don't have to do nothing--just have dinner, watch TV, and go to sleep.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Oct 24, 2007 11:03:23 AM
*Scratches Singapore off list of vacation spots*
Posted by: Jason | Oct 24, 2007 11:29:47 AM
One of the most uptight places on Earth. Though until recently we had sodomy restrictions in the USA. They might have simply reduced the penalties to something nominal like a $100 fine for now.
Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Oct 24, 2007 1:03:57 PM
Just did the same,JASON!! Ugh! Another example of ignorance masquerading as reason. How does decriminalizing sodomy send the "wrong signal"? Does the Prime Minister not realize that he just opened a can of worms? He already sent a signal that if you push hard enough, your voice will be heard and get what's rightfully yours. DERRICK, looks like we're going to have to postpone our trip to Singapore. Awww...
Posted by: Shabaka | Oct 24, 2007 1:51:59 PM
What did they call this? The Defense of Sodomy Act?
Posted by: Mike | Oct 24, 2007 1:57:20 PM
Boycott Singapore and emial their embassy and let them know.
Posted by: JimP | Oct 24, 2007 6:30:42 PM