Singapore lit up by LGBT campaigners calling for gay sex to be decriminalised

Jun 30 2019
Written by Lily Wakefield

Singapore LGBT+ allies form the characters Repeal 377A in a call to repeal Section 377A. (Ore Huiying/Getty)

Thousands gathered in Hong Lim Park in Singapore on Saturday (June 29) calling for sex between men to be legalised.

The annual Pink Dot event aims to shine a light on discrimination LGBT+ people face in Singapore — even in 2019.

Campaign group Repeal 377A and fellow LGBT+ activist are calling for Section 377A of Singapore’s Penal code, which criminalises sex between men, to be repealed.

We are here to say that we are not going away

People pose for a photo under a balloon display during the Pink Dot event. (Ore Huiying/Getty Images)

An attendee takes a photo of the message of hope board during the Pink Dot event held at the Speaker’s Corner in Hong Lim Park. (Ore Huiying/Getty Images)

Speaking at the rally, actress and theatre director, Beatrice Chia-Richmond said much of the discrimination faced by the LGBT+ community in Singapore can be attributed to Section 377A.

Attendees were photographed holding up pink and white lights, forming the words “Repeal 377A.”

According to the Singapore Times, the protest was a response to comments made by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday.

He said that Section 377A would remain “for some time.”

“It has been a decade and yet our leaders seem to be selective in their listening when it comes to the discrimination that LGBTQ people face every single day,” said Pink Dot pokesman Paerin Choa in a statement.

Attendees form the characters Repeal 377A in a call to repeal Section 377A of Singapore’s Penal Code which criminalises sex between men. (Ore Huiying/Getty Images)

“We continue to be made invisible and marginalised in Singapore where we are denied respect and dignity by the laws and the policies of this country.”

Speaking to the Singapore Times, attendee, Garry Moss said he had been to every Pink Dot since its advent in 2007.

“We are here to say that we are not going away and that we deserve a place in society.”