Efforts at Engaging Different Groups for Best Way Forward for Section 377A of Penal Code

Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for Home Affairs how the Government is and will be engaging different groups when considering the best way forward on section 377A of the Penal Code.

Mr Speaker, I thank the Member for the question. As I mentioned in Parliament on 3 March this year, since the issue of section 377A was last discussed in Parliament in 2007, societal attitudes towards homosexuality have gradually shifted.

There are, currently, two main viewpoints on this issue and many subsidiary viewpoints. As I said in Parliament, there are two main viewpoints. On the one hand, the vast majority of Singaporeans are of the view that heterosexual marriage, between a man and a woman, must remain the bedrock of our society. On the other hand, many Singaporeans, including some of those who believe in the traditional family structure, feel that private consensual sex between men should not be criminalised.

The Government has been and will be speaking with diverse groups of Singaporeans to better understand their viewpoints. We will consider the various views carefully and assess the best way forward that tries to balance the different viewpoints.

Mr Speaker, Ms Hazel Poa has asked a related question for written answer at this Sitting. Since this is an important issue, I would like to invite Ms Hazel Poa, or any other Parliamentarian from her Party, basically Mr Leong Mun Wai, to state her or their Party’s position on section 377A. It will be good to know.