Singapore debate on LGBTQ rights heats up in test for leaders


A woman wrapped in the rainbow flag is seen at the Pink Dot rally, Singapore's annual gay pride rally, at a park in Singapore July 1, 2017. - Reuters

SINGAPORE, Aug 27 (Bloomberg): In the wake of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Aug 21 pledge to protect the nation’s definition of marriage, which excludes same-sex unions, in the Constitution, the government quickly mobilized top ministers to try to calm a storm brewing between the LGBTQ community and some religious groups.

The next morning, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, the man tipped to succeed Lee as premier, spoke to the nation’s main broadcaster about how to "live harmoniously,” while Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam explained to the island’s biggest newspaper the move was to prevent the marriage definition being challenged in court.

Subscribe or renew your subscriptions to win prizes worth up to RM68,000!

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.

Singapore , LGBTQ , Rights , Debate , Heats Up

   

Next In Aseanplus News

Magnitude 6.2 earthquake strikes near west coast Honshu, Japan, says EMSC
Man in China brings home surrogate baby a year after wife’s death to claim inheritance
AI Elon Musk as Ming dynasty official goes viral for explaining DOGE efficiency with kung fu
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Tuesday (Nov 26, 2024)
Singapore-China ties ‘especially valuable’ amid uncertain global environment, says Lee Hsien Loong in meeting with President Xi
Thai banks' bad loans highest in nearly three years, but manageable, central bank says
Indonesia's Supreme Court reverses acquittal of former official in slavery case
Vietnam death row tycoon begs court for her life
Laos hostel staff detained after backpackers' deaths; all detained are Vietnamese
Game of Thrones in Manila: Marcos-Duterte feud turns nasty with assassination threat

Others Also Read