ST: Online campaign to repeal gay sex law (Oct 10)

By Chua Hian Hou
The Straits Times, Oct 10, 2007

An online campaign urging the Government to repeal a law criminalising gay sex has collected more than 2,200 signatures since it started last Friday.

Most who have signed the open letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at www.repeal377a.com are anonymous, but at least 800 have stated what appears to be their real name and about 100 reveal where they work.

The site's spokesman, Mr Alan Seah, 44, said the online letter was set up by 'about 20 concerned individuals' who felt the section of the law is 'discriminatory and not good for Singapore'.

The former nightclub owner said the group comprised men and women in their 20s to 40s, both homosexuals and heterosexuals.

Under Section 377A of the Penal Code, it is a crime for men to have sex with each other, whether in public or in private.

In its latest Penal Code review, completed last month, the Government decided to keep the status quo on the gay sex law.

A Home Affairs Ministry spokesman said this recognised that Singapore is 'a generally conservative society', though the Government would not actively prosecute people under that section of the law.

Those signing the petition were encouraged to state their name, voting constituency, occupation and the company they work for.

While most chose to stay anonymous, many gave their name, stated what they work as and named their employer too.

The signatories range from multi-national company executives to engineers and teachers, as well as several arts personalities, people working in the media and civil society activists.

A 31-year-old Singaporean government scholar working in a statutory board told The Straits Times he is gay and does not expect any repercussions for revealing his name and his employer on the petition.

If there are, he said, 'so be it. I have enough credibility in my area of work that this would not be an issue'. He did not wish to be named in this report.

Research assistant Low Soo Mei, 25, said she signed because she felt sad that her homosexual friends should have to 'live in fear that they can be prosecuted'.

Gay activist Alex Au said he was pleased with the response and applauded those who gave their name, but noted that online petitions do not have a track record for effectiveness.

Mr Seah found it understandable that most prefer to stay anonymous, although that hurts the campaign's credibility.

The campaign is expected to get a boost from arts figures like Pamela Oei, Hossan Leong, Beatrice Chia and Mark Richmond, who are producing a rap song which will go onto video-sharing website YouTube within the next few days, said Mr Seah.

He said the petition will be taken offline on Oct 19, and the names of the signatories consolidated and sent to the Prime Minister's Office.

~ Additional reporting by Serene Luo