Singapore seeks to amend constitution to protect its definition of marriage

Singapore’s government filed bills in parliament on Thursday seeking to decriminalise sex between men, and to amend the constitution to prevent court challenges to laws and policies concerning marriage.
The proposed legislation in socially conservative Singapore follows Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s announcement in August of a plan to repeal Section 377A of its penal code, a legacy of British colonial rule and not used in decades, which carries punishments of up to two years in jail for sex between men.
Recent surveys have shown attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Singapore have become more accepting. But changes have yet to be reflected in government policies, which deny LGBT couples access to subsidies and benefits available to heterosexual couples.
Though repealing 377A has been largely welcomed by LGBT groups, some activists are disappointed that legalising same-sex unions or pursuing more equal policies towards LGBT couples are not being considered.
The second of the two bills submitted on Thursday seeks to ensure that only legislators – not judges – get to decide the legal definition of marriage, on which the government bases its policies, such as those concerning couples’ housing and financial benefits.