Singapore Celebrities Rap to End Gay Sex Ban
Bangkok, Thailand — When celebrities speak, sometimes people listen. That’s what some Singaporean stars hoped when they created a public service announcement rap-style video to call for the repeal of law 377A, a national law forbidding same-sex relations.
Openly gay Actor Sir Ian McKellen provided the inspiration for the video (now posted on YouTube) after a July visit to Singapore as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s world tour of William Shakespeare’s King Lear and Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. At the time, he told Reuters, “Coming to Singapore where unfortunately you’ve still got those dreadful laws that we British left behind … it’s about time Singapore grew up, I think, and realized that gay people are here to stay.”
The video is part of a larger campaign seeking the repeal of law 377A. Under this part of Singapore’s penal code, men who attempt to procure or who have sex with other men can be imprisoned for up to two years.
Laws established during colonial times have held that same-sex relationships could be punishable by fines and jail time. Additionally, a ban on gay films, art, plays and gay-affirming public events like Pride celebrations has existed since Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s regime (1959-1990).
Since leaving office Lee, who remains a prominent figure in Singaporean politics, has since changed his opinion about gays. Currently, he advocates a repeal of some laws that make homosexuality illegal. In September, he also helped sponsor a petition that would abolish laws forbidding oral and anal sex between consenting heterosexual adults.
To add to the proposal, Parliament member Siew Kum Hong will circulate second petition to repeal laws that make homosexuality a crime later this month.
Current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who seems to support the repeal, suggested that the fact most of the celebrities in the video were straight would be helpful to the cause.
The minute and a half-long video can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=mTGrzte9ZjQ. To sign the petition for the repeal of law 377A, visit repeal377a.com.
Excerpt from the Penal Code Of The Republic Of Singapore
Unnatural offences.
377. Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animals, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation.
Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section.
Outrages on decency.
377A. Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years.