Minister Calls for Unity and Inclusivity as Bills to Repeal Section 377A Move Forward
Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development, addressed Parliament on November 28 regarding the repeal of Section 377A, which criminalises sex between men. In her speech, Sun highlighted the importance of creating a “tolerant and inclusive society” where all Singaporeans feel dignified and confident in their future.
Two bills, one to repeal Section 377A and another to amend the Constitution to protect the definition of marriage, were read for the second time in Parliament on the same day. Sun explained that these bills were drafted with three main concerns in mind:
The desire to uphold the heterosexual family structure as the norm.
The general acceptance that private, consensual sex between men should not be criminalised.
Concerns about the impact of the repeal on social norms.
Sun emphasized that the bills should be seen holistically, acknowledging that this is not a zero-sum situation where one side wins and the other loses.
LGBT Community’s Perspective on Section 377A
Sun shared insights from her discussions with LGBT support groups like Young Out Here, Oogachaga, and T Project. She conveyed that the gay community views Section 377A as “society’s judgement” on them, seeing it as a rejection of their right to love and exist freely. This contributes to a sense of marginalisation, with many fearing active enforcement of 377A by the government.
She referred to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s 2007 speech, where he stated that the government would not act as a “moral police” and would not proactively enforce Section 377A. Sun reiterated that “legislation and enforcement will not be fully consistent without the repeal of 377A,” and that the repeal would provide clarity, consistency, and transparency in both law and enforcement.
Impact on Physical and Mental Health
Sun also shared her observations from visiting T Project’s shelter, which houses individuals whose lives are complicated by mental stress, poverty, and unemployment. She explained that many of these individuals had been abandoned by their families due to a lack of acceptance of their sexual orientation. This lack of love and acceptance has led to worsened mental and physical health, and higher risks of substance addiction and criminal behaviour.
At Greenhouse, a support group for 200 gay individuals, Sun learned that many had struggled since youth to find family acceptance, which affected their job prospects and mental well-being.
Concerns about Social Impact of Repeal
While acknowledging the concerns of those opposed to the repeal, Sun highlighted stories of youths being ostracised in schools and workplaces for not advocating for gay rights. She assured that the government is considering policy solutions to ensure people of differing views can safely express themselves.
She also pointed to the Tripartite Guidelines for Fair Employment Practices (TGFEP), which protect employees from discrimination, and shared that the Ministry of Manpower is looking into workplace fairness legislation.
Co-Existing with Opposing Views
Sun acknowledged the polarising views on the repeal of Section 377A but stressed that differing opinions in society are not inherently negative. She affirmed that Singaporeans have long coexisted harmoniously in a multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-cultural society, and emphasised the importance of respecting others’ lifestyles while not imposing one’s beliefs on others.
Marriage and Family Values
While supporting the repeal of Section 377A, Sun reaffirmed the government’s stance that family remains the cornerstone of society. She stressed that the government continues to promote the heterosexual family structure through policies like housing subsidies for married couples.
She added that the Ministry of Education (MOE) would ensure teaching materials reflect Singapore’s societal values, with same-sex content introduced at an appropriate age. She also noted that same-sex content would not be aired on free-to-air television channels.
Balancing Macro and Micro Concerns
Sun addressed concerns about the timing of the repeal, with some questioning why it is being discussed amid rising living costs and other economic challenges. She reassured that the government is addressing these issues, including through the Assurance Package (AP), while also working on solutions for the repeal of 377A and safeguarding the definition of marriage. “We shouldn’t just resolve macro problems but micro ones at the same time,” Sun concluded, highlighting the importance of ensuring every Singaporean can live with dignity and hope.
