Homosexuality is no longer a crime in Singapore, but marriages will remain heterosexual only

The city-state's parliament after years of debate has approved the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code, which punished same-sex sexual relations. At the same time, a constitutional amendment was passed that closes the way for gay marriage "to safeguard a key institution of society".

Singapore (AsiaNews) - With the approval of two long-discussed measures, the legislative process on the decriminalisation of homosexuality came to an end in Singapore on 19 November. But it certainly did not end a debate that has polarised Singaporean society, also calling on the Catholic Church to express its views.

The first of the two measures is the one that - with 93 votes in favour and 3 against in the unicameral Parliament - repealed Article 377A of the Penal Code, decriminalising same-sex sexual relations.

At the same time, however, a constitutional amendment was also passed - approved by 85 votes to 2 - protecting the heterosexual definition of marriage and considered to promote national stability.

Thus, if Singaporean society now appears more open to homosexuality than in the past, its leadership does not shy away from seeing traditional values as an element of unity and social cohesion, rather than a limitation to individual and collective freedoms.

In his speech concluding the parliamentary session, Justice and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam wanted to clarify some essential points in the relationship between the two measures: the number of individuals convicted of homosexual acts in private and consensual between adults between 1989 and 2007 (when a moratorium had already come into force) was very low. And ways will be sought to annul or cancel the sentences (the maximum was two years imprisonment).

The minister added there is no plan to allow citizens to change the gender already registered on their identity documents, and that with the repeal of Article 377A, Parliament has taken 'a clear position'. 'This government is very clear: we will protect heterosexual marriage as a key institution in our society,' he stressed.

Shanmugam also stated that his ministry is committed to countering the harms of cancel culture: 'People should be free to adhere to their beliefs, to express their views with due respect for the feelings of others'.

"Neutrality' regarding the two issues was the position expressed on behalf of the local Church by Card. William Goh, archbishop of the city-state.

Previously, in 2018, the prelate had dedicated a specific pastoral letter to the issue of Article 377A, in which - while recognising its problematic nature with regard to discrimination against homosexual persons - he had urged parliamentarians not to repeal it so as not to open the way for same-sex marriages.

The constitutional amendment then took up the sense of this concern, opening up a combination of norms that does not criminalise homosexuality but equally protects the uniqueness of heterosexual marriage.

This does not mean, however, that on the issue of gender identity, the Catholic Church in Singapore has changed its mind. At the recent assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences in Bangkok last month, in a speech that was widely echoed, it was Card. Goh who raised the issue, inviting his brother bishops on the continent not to remain silent before the "erosion of truth and justice". And he specifically mentioned in this connection the attack on traditional culture and the values of society, marriage and the family.