This past weekend saw a huge step forward for equality and acceptance in Singapore, with the nation repealing its 377A law and effectively making it legal to be homosexual.
As a business that operates within Singapore and has a passion for inclusion and a long-held support of the LGBTQ+ community, we’re delighted by this news that will finally allow gay people within the city-state to live their lives with less fear of being prosecuted just for being themselves.
As a statement signed by multiple LGBTQ+ activist groups stated, this move is “a win for humanity”.
This milestone change in the law has been long overdue and is thanks to the thousands of LGBTQ+ activists over generations who have pushed for the same level of equality, acceptance and freedom that many people in other countries now take for granted. The stories that have been shared on social media in the last 24 hours from people who now feel seen, heard and more accepted than they have ever been before, have been truly moving. Their stories are a powerful and heartrending reminder of how important any step forward in the fight for greater inclusion can be.
The journey for LGBTQ+ acceptance is by no means over. Singapore’s Prime Minister made that very clear on Sunday when, just as he repealed 377A, he used the same speech to reiterate the government’s opposition to gay marriage. He also refused to remove the state’s broadcasting codes restricting content that promotes LGBTQ+ “lifestyles”. And there are still many other cultural, educational and health policies in place that continue to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community.
As a business we are committed to striving towards better diversity and inclusion in all our office locations and operations across the world. We will continue to support the LGBTQ+ community in their fight for equal rights and freedom from oppression just for being who they are.
But today, with many people from across Singapore and the wider world, we celebrate a significant step that opens the door for many more Singaporeans to be open, be happy and be their authentic selves.
