Singapore activists appeal court ruling on gay sex ban
- The law, known as Section 377A, is rarely enforced but activists say it still jars with the city state’s increasingly modern and vibrant culture
- Last year, the High Court dismissed three challenges to the law, which it heard together, by a retired doctor, a DJ and an LGBT rights advocate
Three Singapore campaigners launched an appeal Monday against a court’s decision to uphold a law banning sex between men, the latest effort to overturn the colonial-era legislation.
A holdover from British rule of the city state, the law is rarely enforced but activists say it still jars with the affluent country’s increasingly modern and vibrant culture.
Others, however, argue that Singapore remains conservative at heart, and is not ready for change, while officials also believe most would not be in favour of repealing the legislation, known as Section 377A.
Last year, the High Court dismissed three challenges to the law, which it heard together, by a retired doctor, a DJ and an LGBT rights advocate.
The trio challenged that decision Monday at the Court of Appeal.
Tan, 62, said the appeal was based on the grounds that the judge hearing last year’s case was wrong to reject arguments the legislation breached several articles of the constitution.
