Most difficult speech I have to make’: MPs weigh in on Section 377A repeal in Parliament

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Most difficult speech I have to make’: MPs weigh in on Section 377A repeal in Parliament

MPs express mixed emotions on the repeal of Section 377A, calling it one of their toughest decisions.

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A month after Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam introduced the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill to decriminalise sex between men, over 20 Memb

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A month after Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam introduced the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill to decriminalise sex between men, over 20 Members of Parliament (MP) engaged in a heated debate on Nov. 28.

For many, this was one of the most challenging speeches they’ve had to deliver, given the sensitivity of the issue.

Workers’ Party MP Dennis Tan (Hougang SMC) expressed that he struggled to support the repeal of Section 377A due to its symbolic significance for traditional family values. He shared concerns that parents may find it harder to instill such values at home, and that some residents fear backlash for expressing views opposing the repeal.

Tan, however, admitted that his decision to oppose the repeal was made “with a heavy heart,” acknowledging the divided sentiments among his constituents and friends in the LGBTQ+ community.

His fellow WP MP, Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC), echoed similar sentiments, calling the decision the hardest he has had to make in Parliament. He emphasized that his conscience prevented him from supporting the repeal.

In a significant move, WP chief Pritam Singh announced that the party would be lifting the whip, allowing MPs to vote freely on the matter. Singh, who supports the repeal, argued that it was a step toward greater inclusivity while respecting the personal beliefs of religious individuals.

However, not all WP members supported the repeal. MP Faisal Manap (Aljunied GRC) opposed it on religious grounds, though he was absent from the debate due to illness.

Meanwhile, PAP MPs, including Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok SMC), voiced support for the repeal, calling it “the right thing to do” to remove the stigma faced by homosexuals. Minister of State Sun Xueling also acknowledged the concerns of both LGBT individuals and more conservative citizens, calling for a balanced approach.

In his speech, Shanmugam underscored the need for the repeal, emphasizing that keeping Section 377A in place stigmatizes gay individuals. He posed the question: “Is it fair that gays have to live in this way?”

The debate will continue on Nov. 29.

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