Official Statement from Ready4Repeal
On 30th March 2020, High Court Judge Justice See Kee Oon dismissed all three challenges to Section 377A.
This judgement is a bitter blow to all LGBTQ+ Singaporeans who yearn to be treated as equals in their own country. It is also a step backwards for Singapore itself – which continues to shamefully lag behind the rest of the world in recognising that love between two consenting adults should not and cannot be labelled criminal.
By remaining, Section 377A will continue to harm the rights and privileges of all LGBTQ+ Singaporeans and their loved ones. Even unenforced, S377A is the insidious, primary force that underpins government policy and attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community.
From media representation, employment policies, and healthcare, to areas like education, housing access, partnership and adoption - access to rights and opportunities are unequal for LGBTQ+ individuals living and working in Singapore. This is not acceptable.
Today’s decision was an affront to the tenets of equality and dignity that many hold dear. Ready4Repeal calls on all LGBTQ+ Singaporeans and our allies to continue to hold on to our shared passion and belief for this universal human right to love and redouble our efforts towards a future where all Singaporeans can live and love in a Singapore that is truly multicultural and inclusive.
We want to thank the plaintiffs – Johnson Ong, Bryan Choong and Roy Tan – and their respective legal teams for the powerful challenge they mounted. They carried our hopes and dreams on their shoulders.
We will fight on.