LGBT Rights: Singapore debates over gay sex ban

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Europe

03:06

A renewed debate on gay rights in Singapore is on, as opposing groups argue over a colonial-era law that bans gay sex. The country's Law and Home Minister has said when it comes to trying to repeal the law, public opinion is important. Miro Lu has more.

Johnson Ong, who goes by the stage name DJ Big Kid, has a successful music career. He's performed at places like Los Angles, Tokyo and Bangkok. He's also a gay man. Under the Section 377A of Singapore's Penal Code, that means he is a criminal.

JOHNSON ONG DJ & BUSINESS OWNER "Growing up I went to a mission school, my family is a Christian family, there was always the undercurrent and jokes about gay people and not in a good way. I was not out to my family. It's very difficult as a child being told you're wrong by your family, your church, and with 377A, effectively by your whole country."

Four days after India's Supreme Court struck down a similar law early September, Johnson filed his challenge in Singapore's courts to repeal the law left by the British during the colonial era.

The decision sparked a renewed debate on gay rights in Singapore, with camps on both sides starting petitions either to keep or repeal the law.

ELIZABETH RETAIL ASSISTANT "I think we should. I think this is very common, it's a new generation. This is what I think. It's not only our country, every country is doing it."

SHARY CONSULTANT "I do believe it's time for our government to repeal the 377A particularly because we run our country as a secular state, despite how there are religious opinions - of which I'm not saying they are not valid - but in a sense, they shouldn't be imposed on how a secular state should be run."

Johnson's repeal is not the first. In 2014, a gay couple challenged the courts on grounds that Section 377A violated constitutional rights, an argument that was ultimately rejected by the city-state's highest court. But Johnson feels there have been a lot of gay rights developments globally since 2014 and the climate is different now.

MIRO LU SINGAPORE "While it remains to be seen whether this case will ruffle feathers in Singapore's courts, or in the court of public opinion, one thing is for sure: there is a rising tide in Singapore. The voice of the minority is gaining momentum, and, like neighbouring countries, a change might be coming for the LGBTQ community. Miro Lu, CGTN, Singapore."