Singapore will repeal a law that bans gay sex, effectively making it legal to be homosexual in the city-state.
The decision, announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on national TV, comes after years of fierce debate.
The city-state is known for its conservative values, but an increasing number of people have called for the colonial-era 377A law to be abolished.
Singapore is the latest Asian place to move on LGBT rights, after India, Taiwan and Thailand.
The government’s previous stance was to keep 377A but it also promised not to enforce the law, as a way to appease both sides.
But on Sunday night, Mr Lee said they would abolish the law as “I believe this is the right thing to do, and something that most Singaporeans will accept,” he said.
He noted that “gay people are now better accepted” and scrapping 377A would bring the country’s laws in line with “current social mores, and I hope it will bring some relief to gay Singaporeans”.
But he also said the government would ensure better legal protection for the definition of marriage as one between a man and a woman. This would effectively make it harder for gay marriage to be legalised.
He said Singapore remains a traditional society with many keen on maintaining family and social norms.
BBC
