Singapore diplomat calls for ban on gay sex to be lifted
Tommy Koh said the law doesn't reflect the country's embrace of 'science and technology'
By Steve Brown
One of Singapore’s leading diplomats has called for the ban on gay sex to be abolished.
Earlier this month, India made history by legalising homosexuality and the movement sparked a debate in Singapore where sex between men still remains illegal under Section 377A of the penal code – established during the British colonial era.
However, the decision to repeal the law has been met with a mixed opinion with many people wanting to continue to criminalise homosexuality.
But now, Tommy Koh – one of the country’s most influential diplomats – has called for the law to change saying it does not reflect the embrace of “science and technology”.
He said: “For a country which embraces science and technology, it is surprising that, on this one aspect, the law has not been updated in light of the scientific evidence.”
“Section 377A is an antiquated law, not supported by science and should be repealed.”
He went on to say that World Health Organisation had removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses and while religious leaders still consider sodomy a sin but it should be a crime.