Repeal of 377A, the definition of marriage and family, education, etc

 

Once again, the PAP Government shows that it does not flinch from its reponsibility.

377A had seen 4 challenges in the Supreme Court. At the 4th challenge this year, CJ Sundaresh Menon said that it was 'unenforceable in its entirety'.

What happens to a law that cannot be enforced? It will get struck down eventually, right?

If 377A is struck down in court, things are going to become very ugly as marriage gets challenged in court on the same ground as 377A, and along with it, many other policies.

This you need to understand, folks who are unhappy with the repeal. You don't want all these ugliness. You don't want these challenges in court. Imagine if a challenge against marriage is successful, same sex marriage will be recognised - not because of a law passed by Parliament but because the Court rules it so.

There are accusations that the PAP Government is doing this for votes. How can it be? There are more votes to lose than to gain by doing this.

It is politically expedient not to do anything but as Law Minister Shanmugam said, Parliament is not doing its job if it does not act because of fear or a lack of will.

Such issues, as PM Lee pointed out, are political issues to be decided by Parliament, not left to the Court. Lawyers and judges interpret and apply the law. That's what they are trained to do: what does the law say, how does the law apply in this instance, etc.

The PAP is finding a way forward for Singapore without the mess that you see in other countries.

The PAP Government has said that they will maintain the prevailing family structure and values. There will be no change.

If you want same sex marriage, you have to change the government first.

As long as the PAP is in government, there will be no change to prevailing family structure and values, and therefore no change to policies (housing, education, advertising standards, film classification) that take reference from this structure.

Any group or political party that wants to push for same-sex marriage will have to put that in their manifesto, win elections first and then change the definition of marriage, says Law Minister Shanmugam.

Education policies will be anchored on prevailing values on family and marriage.

MOE said in a press statement:

1. Our schools and institutions of higher learning must remain safe spaces for the pursuit of knowledge, and not become places for advocacy or contestation on socially divisive issues.

Singapore's family and social norms must continue to be determined by Singaporeans. Foreign institutions and foreigners should respect these norms, and not use our educational institutions as platforms for their own agendas.

3. Sexuality education taught in our educational institutions will remain secular, based on traditional values, and sensitive to the multiracial and multireligious make-up of our society.

4. All students will learn and practice values such as mutual understanding, respect, and empathy for everyone.

Bullying and cancel culture must not take root in our educational institutions and society. Our educational institutions will continue to partner parents to guide our children, and provide counselling and socio-emotional support to all students according to their needs.

MCI affirms the Government's position that the repeal of s377A will not change the tone of society. LGBT media content will continue to warrant higher age rating.