14 Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Gay (LBTG) groups have issued a joint statement to express how shocked and disappointed they are by the court ruling against appeals to void Section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalises sex between men in Singapore.
In a written verdict, judges Andrew Phang, Belinda Ang and Woo Bih Li said that while they understood the deeply held personal feelings of the appellants — couple Gary Lim and Kenneth Chee, as well as Mr. Tan Eng Hong — there was nothing the court could do to assist them because the matter rested in the legislative sphere.
The groups, which include Pink Dot, Sayoni, Singaypore and The Purple Alliance, say the verdict is a missed opportunity for Singapore to showcase itself as a "truly accepting, open and inclusive society — a great place to live, work and play".
In their statement, the groups said they appreciated that the Court was not in the position to "assist in providing a judicial remedy to what it views as a legislative issue", but could not accept "its narrow interpretation of the constitution in this regard", as well as its view that Section 377A is something insisted upon by a particular group keen on imposing its values on others."It is not an imposition for a segment to seek the same rights as the rest of society. To be viewed as equal in the eyes of the law, to feel safe at home, and to be protected against discrimination, mistreatment, even physical and emotional harm, is a right to which every Singaporean should be entitled, and not denied on the basis of whom they love," the statement read.
It concluded with a call to the Parliament to "demonstrate true leadership and do the right thing by nullifying (the) crippling piece of legislation".
Photo: Coconuts Singapore / Shawn Danker
Read Also:
Singapore's top court uphold anti-gay law
14 Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Gay (LBTG) groups have issued a joint statement to express how shocked and disappointed they are by the court ruling against appeals to void Section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalises sex between men in Singapore.
In a written verdict, judges Andrew Phang, Belinda Ang and Woo Bih Li said that while they understood the deeply held personal feelings of the appellants — couple Gary Lim and Kenneth Chee, as well as Mr. Tan Eng Hong — there was nothing the court could do to assist them because the matter rested in the legislative sphere.
The groups, which include Pink Dot, Sayoni, Singaypore and The Purple Alliance, say the verdict is a missed opportunity for Singapore to showcase itself as a "truly accepting, open and inclusive society — a great place to live, work and play".
In their statement, the groups said they appreciated that the Court was not in the position to "assist in providing a judicial remedy to what it views as a legislative issue", but could not accept "its narrow interpretation of the constitution in this regard", as well as its view that Section 377A is something insisted upon by a particular group keen on imposing its values on others."It is not an imposition for a segment to seek the same rights as the rest of society. To be viewed as equal in the eyes of the law, to feel safe at home, and to be protected against discrimination, mistreatment, even physical and emotional harm, is a right to which every Singaporean should be entitled, and not denied on the basis of whom they love," the statement read.
It concluded with a call to the Parliament to "demonstrate true leadership and do the right thing by nullifying (the) crippling piece of legislation".
Photo: Coconuts Singapore / Shawn Danker
Read Also:
Singapore's top court uphold anti-gay law