Singapore’s parliament lifts its ban on gay sex, but it also changed the constitution to essentially prevent complete marriage equality, which is legally available to heterosexual couples. Colonial law was rarely enforced even before this decision. The anti-gay law was passed during the British colonial era which punished gay sex to two years in prison.
Amendment To The Constitution
A constitutional amendment that strengthened the notion, that marriage must be heterosexual, was also approved by parliament, thus putting a stop to any future legal challenges that would treat the same-sex marriage same as heterosexual marriage.
Maintaining A Balance
Minister of Home Affairs K. Shanmugam defended the amendment by arguing in favor of the traditional family structure. The amendment will strike a “balance” between the traditional heterosexual families and will provide space to the homosexual community too.
