As it happened: Debate to repeal Section 377A, amend Singapore's Constitution to protect definition of marriage adjourned
Section 377A penalises sex between men while marriage is defined in Section 12 of the Women's Charter as being between a man and a woman.
SINGAPORE: The debate to repeal a section of the law that criminalises gay sex between men and to amend the Constitution to protect the definition of marriage from legal challenges was adjourned to Tuesday (Nov 29).
In Monday's sitting, more than 20 Members of Parliament (MPs), Non-Constituency MP and Nominated MPs shared their views on the Bills, which were first read in October.
The debate started with Minister of Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli laying out the reasons for the amendment to the Constitution, before Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam explained the reasons for the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code.
Section 377A penalises sex between men, while marriage is currently defined under the Women's Charter as being between a man and a woman.
Workers' Party (WP) chief and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh told Parliament that he has lifted the whip for WP MPs, which means they do not have to vote according to party lines.
Here is a recap of the debate on Monday: