SINGAPORE: Their call to repeal Penal Code's Section 377A that criminalises homosexual sex might have been overturned but the petitioners say they will stay the course.

And they are heartened by the support they received from people from all walks of life.

When they started the petition, organisers said they knew it was not a numbers game as they represent the minority.

Still, the Open Letter to the Prime Minister and the Parliamentary Petition garnered over four times more signatures than expected.

The Open Letter had 8,120 online signatories while the Parliamentary Petition had 2,341 signatures.

The petitioners say they will continue with efforts to discourage discriminatory policies.

They feel abolishing 377A can serve as an educational tool to promote tolerance and diversity.

They are also concerned that 377A could hamper efforts to control HIV/AIDS.

Dr Stuart Koe, CEO of Fridae Limited and a co-petitioner to repeal 377A, said: "Stigma and discrimination are two of the largest contributors to HIV/AIDS in Asia and because of that, many people do not come forward or receive treatment. As a result of 377A, the Ministry of Health and the Health Promotion Board are unable to directly work with MSM or gay people in Singapore. One of the examples that we have is the police have actually stopped Action for Aids from distributing pamphlets that talk about safe sex on the grounds that it is advocating an illegal lifestyle."

Tan Joo Hymn, another co-petitioner, said: "The criminal law is not meant to police moral values. Law and morality are separate. The majority of these moral values are reinforced by education and in the homes, and not by the law. In any case, what consenting adults do in the privacy of their own bedroom should not affect public morality."

The public discourse has stirred opposing opinions as well - in the form of a "Keep377A" petition, which garnered over 15,000 signatures.

Organisers say the debate has largely been a healthy one that was conducted with mutual respect. - CNA/ir