Pink Dot: Singapore’s LGBTQ movement sets sights on full equality after Section 377A repeal

Attendees at the event – now in its 15th year – turned up to send a clear signal of the long road ahead for LGBTQ rights in the country

Singapore last year repealed the archaic Section 377A law banning sex between gay men but amended the constitution to effectively prevent marriage equality

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Some attendees at Pink Dot had turned up to send a clear signal that there was a long road ahead for LGBTQ rights in the country. Photo: Kimberly Lim

Published: 9:27pm, 24 Jun 2023Updated: 10:14pm, 24 Jun 2023

Singapore has a long way to go to ensure full equality for LGBTQ residents despite last year’s repeal of an archaic law banning gay sex between men, rights activists said on Saturday at the city state’s annual Pink Dot pride rally.

The event, now in its 15th year, had in past years recognised the repeal of the colonial era Section 377A of the penal code as one of its key goals, along with the broader celebration of inclusivity.

In a dual move aimed at assuaging both the LGBTQ community and social liberals on one hand and the country’s influential conservatives on the other, the Singapore government last year moved to repeal Section 377A but amended the constitution to effectively prevent marriage equality.

Attendees at Saturday’s rally who spoke to This Week in Asia said they had turned up to send a clear signal that there was a long road ahead for LGBTQ rights in the country.

Organisers did not immediately provide a crowd estimate but as in previous years, the compact Hong Lim Park where the rally is held – Singapore’s sole free-speech zone – was filled with attendees clad in pink despite a light downpour.

Communications specialist Vicky Xie said attending Pink Dot was an annual tradition to highlight her belief in inclusivity and LGBTQ rights.

Another attendee, 20-year-old fresh graduate Shubhadha Viswandla, said she remained disappointed with the state of affairs after last year’s legal changes, citing how heterosexual married couples in the country had privileges – in buying public housing units, for instance – that gay couples did not have access to.

PAP’s Derrick Goh (middle) was one of five politicians at Pink Dot this year. Photo: Kimberly Lim

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