On the 21 of August, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore announced that the country will no longer criminalize homosexuality, while the act of gay marriage is still up for question. This comes from the appeal of law 377A, which made homosexuality illegal in the country, punishable by up to two years in prison. He has stated that he wants to protect the country’s definition of marriage, keeping it between men and women. While the act of homosexuality will not be criminalized, gay marriage will still not be seen as a legal union.

The law 377A or section 377A of the Penal Code was a law introduced in the 1930s under British rule of Singapore. During the time of Singapore’s independence from Britain, the law was never changed, and since 2007 many have debated whether or not the law should be appealed. 

Sammy Westfall, writer for The Washington Post, in her article, “Singapore to amend its constitution to prevent same-sex marriages” stated, “Marital status is linked to many social policies in Singapore, including eligibility for public housing and adoption.” This means if the constitution is amended to prevent any same-sex marriages, many LGBTQ+ Singaporeans will become homeless, seeing as cheaper housing is only available to those married or over the age of 35.

Many conservative groups in Singapore, such as “Protect Singapore” and “Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore” advocate for traditional values, such as heterosexual unions, to be enforced by law. In recent weeks, such groups have been pushing for the government to protect what they believe marriage to mean. 

Victoria Grossnickle, a sophomore, when asked about the situation said, “I don’t think the older people in power, at the moment, should be able to dictate whether [gay people] can, or can’t [get married].”

Lee said in his televised speech at the annual National Day Rally that he would “uphold and safeguard the institution of marriage.” He hopes to keep the balance of his country, and to make both conservatives and gay people alike happy and content with this outcome.