Repeal

And it’s about time too!

As an apparent and deliberate response to an ongoing public online campaign calling for Section 377A to be repealed, a group in Singapore calling itself “the Majority” has set up a website with an open letter to the Prime Minister urging for the retention of the law instead.

Section 377A states that homosexual acts between men is a punishable crime. If apprehended and charged in a court of law, the guilty can be sentenced to a maximum of 2 years’ imprisonment.

In the letter, the group notes that

Section 377A is a reflection of the sentiments of the majority of society. Most Singaporeans hold conservative family values and do not accept homosexuality as the norm. Repealing Section 377A is a vehicle to force homosexuality on a conservative population that is not ready for homosexuality.

No doubt there will be detractors wondering if the group has the right to call itself “the Majority” or to claim to truly represent the “majority” views of Singaporeans. In fact, I can almost already read the disparaging comments that might be left on their web site by those who support the repeal as I myself have experienced.

However, what is heartening to see is that there is now a group of people who are campaigning against the repeal, and not choosing to remain silent on an issue that concerns us as a society.

And, that, in itself is a big step forward in the name of equality, the favorite and most-oft cited word of those who argue in support of the repeal.

By the way, as one of those who oppose the repeal, I’d like to personally state that this is not an exercise of my rights to curb the choices or deny the rights of homosexuals to state their choices as many would like to see it. Rather, it is my view, or opinion, on the call to repeal Section 377A.

Unfortunately, there’s no link to the site from the news report (it’s not the job of the news agency to provide it anyhow since it’d be better if they remain impartial), but once I find out where the site is, I’ll post it here as an addendum.

ADDENDUM:

To sign the petition to not repeal Section 377A, go to this web address: www.keep377a.com.

Source: ChannelNewsAsia.
Photo by Shahram Sharif.