ST Forum: Failed Bid to Repeal Section 377A (Oct 25)

Oct 25, 2007
FAILED BID TO REPEAL SECTION 377A
Govt did the right thing in keeping gay-sex law

I AM overwhelmed with joy that the Government has expressed unequivocally that it does not support the gay lifestyle in Singapore and Section 377A - a law criminalising gay sex - will not be repealed.

Over the past years, all across the world, we have seen unrelenting pressure from advocates of the gay lifestyle to accept as normal what is not normal, and to characterise those who disagree as narrow-minded, bigoted and unreasonable.

Such advocates are quick to demand freedom of speech and thought for themselves, but equally quick to criticise those with different views and, if possible, to silence them by applying labels like 'homophobic'.

As we have become a more liberal society, I was worried, for a moment, that the Government would be swayed. I am glad it was not.

Enough has been said by both sides arguing for and against repealing Section 377A and I shall not add to it.

However, I would like to congratulate the Government for its courage and brilliance in handling this issue. By keeping Section 377A, it is sending a very clear message that we do not support the gay lifestyle.

I applaud the Government for doing the right thing, both morally and socially.

At the same time, by saying that the police will nevertheless be lenient in implementing the law, the Government is essentially saying that we will let gays live their own lives without interference.

Unlike in certain neighbouring countries, they have no fear that the police will come knocking on their doors in the middle of the night.

It is now time for the gay community to accept that the majority of Singaporeans are conservative and will not endorse a homosexual lifestyle. Husband and wife in a family setting is the foundational unit of our society. Destroy that unit and we destroy our society. To push their cause will further alienate gays from society.

For the majority of Singaporeans who are against homosexual behaviour, it is time to let the matter rest and the wounds heal. Let us accept gays for who they are. We may not endorse their lifestyle but there is no reason for us to condemn them. They are our fellow citizens. They are one of us.

Patrick Tan Siong Kuan