2023: Housing of transgender inmates

In Singapore, our primary consideration is the safety of the inmates.

As a rule, inmates are housed in a male or female institution based on their registered sex, and not their self-identified gender. There may be situations, however, where it may be better not to house an inmate with other inmates of their registered sex for consideration of safety, either for the safety of the inmate or the safety of the other inmates.

For example, for a male inmate who is transitioning and who has developed female features, such as breasts, it may not be completely safe for this inmate to be housed together with other male inmates. On the other hand, inmates in a female institution may not feel comfortable if we house with them, a former male who has just completed transitioning to be a female, especially if, like in the case of Bryson, the person had previously committed sexual offences. So, in such cases, we may house them alone in individual cells within the institution of their registered sex, or in a shared cell with other inmates who are in the same situation.

There may also be situations where inmates, during medical examination upon admission, are found to have external genitalia different from their registered sex. In such cases, Prisons may first house them alone in individual cells in the institution of their registered sex. Prisons will then facilitate an examination by a medical specialist to assess if they have had a complete physical change in genitalia, and if so, will assist the inmate to update their registered sex with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). This follows ICA’s requirements that a person’s sex change must first be verified by a local relevant medical specialist before ICA updates the registered sex of the person in its database.

https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=oral-answer-3369

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2022: Foreign powers should not interfere with local politics

For example, in 2021, the US embassy co-hosted a webinar on LGBT rights with a Singaporean LGBT organisation. MFA spoke to the embassy to remind them not to interfere in our domestic politics.

More recently, in August this year, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement when she was in Singapore asking business groups to support the LGBT community in Singapore. MHA issued a statement reminding foreign businesses to be careful about advocating on socially divisive issues in Singapore.

We would also say to US politicians who feel very strongly about these issues that perhaps they should first try and persuade the people in Texas and other such places before they issue statements in Singapore.  

https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=bill-605

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2022: What conduct is a crime

Our position in Singapore is, for a conduct to be a crime, there should, generally, be a public order or public interest issue. It is broadly similar to the position set out by the Wolfenden Committee, which I referred to earlier.

The basic function of criminal law is to preserve public order and decency, to protect citizens from what is offensive and injurious, and to provide sufficient safeguards against exploitation and corruption of others.

https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=bill-605

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2022: Changing the definition of marriage affects other laws

Going further, if the definition of marriage is changed through a Court challenge, there can be a cascading effect. It could impact questions relating to same-sex marriage, media content, housing policies and various other policies.

Housing policies can be challenged. It could be asked: why should we only give housing benefits to heterosexual married couples? It could be argued that that is unequal under Article 12.

Media content rules could be challenged. Why should we impose higher ratings for content on movies and Netflix that depict same-sex family units? It could be argued that this curtails some producers' freedom of expression under Article 9.

https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=bill-605

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2022: People are free to express their beliefs

People really ought to be free to stand by their beliefs and express their views, with due respect for the feelings of others without fearing being "cancelled". Many religious groups and organisations, in particular, are very concerned about this. Many church groups have spoken with us. Their experience is that when they express their views, they are shouted down and they feel bullied. Children in schools also feel this. This is not right.

https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=bill-607

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2022: NRICs must show registered sex

Mr Lim Biow Chuan said that he hopes that the Government will not allow individuals to remove their registered sex from their NRIC or passport. The short answer is that there is no such plan.

https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=bill-607

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2022: Parliament has the right to define marriage

I want to be clear, because there is some confusion. The definition of marriage is not going to be in the Constitution. That is not the intention. The risk is that the current definition of marriage in the Women’s Charter can be challenged on the basis that it is in breach of Article 12 of the Constitution.

So, what we are planning to do is to put into the Constitution explicitly that Parliament can define the institution of marriage, and, in the way it is defined in the Women’s’ Charter; and it can make other pro-family policies on the basis of that definition – that marriage is between a man and a woman. And that these laws and policies, which rely on the definition of marriage, cannot be challenged in Court by reference to Article 12, or by reference to the Constitution.

This means the definition of marriage in the Women’s Charter – it will make it difficult to challenge that definition on the basis that it is unconstitutional. It will have to be dealt with in Parliament. So, if a Party, a group of people, want to allow same-sex marriage, they will have to put that in their manifesto, fight elections, win the elections, get a majority, and then change the definition of marriage.

https://www.mha.gov.sg/mediaroom/speeches/transcript-of-the-straits-times-and-lianhe-zaobao-interview-with-mr-k-shanmugam/

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2020: Both the LGBT & Religious groups feel targeted

For example, say the LGBT community. During engagements with the LGBT groups, many of them have told us they felt targeted as a community. Meanwhile, religious groups also felt that they were targeted by LGBT groups. And our approach is, we put in something – whether religious groups target non-religious groups, or whether non-religious groups intend to target religious groups, both will be proscribed. People can go about their own lives. They should deal with their lives as they wish, but not use social or religious causes to attack each other.

That comes from the position that every Singaporean has his/her place in Singapore. They must feel safe and we will take actions against anyone who threaten anyone else's physical safety. We should all be free to express our individual views but in a responsible manner. So, when we amended the MRHA, we explicitly stated that in the Explanatory Statement and used the LGBTQ community as an example of what would be covered by these provisions.

https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=budget-1305

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2019: Visited T Project

The T Project is Singapore’s first and only social service for the transgender community.

The transgender community faces enormous challenges. The T Project offers help to those who have fallen through the cracks because of family issues.

They provide counselling, job opportunities and most importantly a safe space.

June, the founder of the T project, is devoted and commited to the cause.

https://www.facebook.com/k.shanmugam.page/posts/pfbid05hBPNGKqr4XFzBDQnBG1Zbmz2HrruAXHD8wncwvc1xBxothLddbd8wX45iVYNPbal

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2017: POHA already protects LGBT and religious groups from harassment

I told him that the Government is strongly opposed to any harassment of any group. POHA offers civil remedies to those harassed. And if the harassment crosses the line, and is criminal, then the Government will not hesitate to take action. People will have strong views on LGBT issues. The way to deal with the issue is to discuss, persuade. Harassment, either of LGBT activists or anti LGBT activists, is not acceptable.

https://www.facebook.com/k.shanmugam.page/posts/pfbid0bYvbwCoCqjYgWFp1Z6Ug8JdRnHo2h6NBDUezYwKYTP3Me36zRbCcc7TruLQD9ZCvl

https://www.facebook.com/oogachaga/posts/pfbid02JmRc9QC1vR39iw7QbidoHZvyaH22KcQ6CNup8NgnKxJrUyyKjpJMKY9nED22qY8fl