2022: Does not support same-sex couples adopting children

The Government has also stated that it is a matter of public policy that we do not support the formation of same-sex family units, which the High Court had affirmed in December 2018 in UKM v Attorney-General. We reiterated in January 2019 that we do not support the formation of same-sex families through processes, such as adoption. These public policies will be taken into consideration when determining suitability to adopt.

https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=bill-580

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2022: Defined marriage as between a man and a woman

There is strong consensus in society that marriage is between a man and a woman; and children should be born and raised within such families.

This is the view taken by many Singaporeans, whether religious or not. It is also the view that the Government believes in. It undergirds the shared values that we adopted in 1991.

The family is the foundation on which our society is built and sustained, with each generation raising the next to take its place. Without strong families, Singapore cannot thrive and society cannot perpetuate itself.  

In his book from "Third World to First", Mr Lee Kuan Yew wrote, "Singapore depends on the strength and influence of the family to keep society orderly". The family is the source of values not only for its members but for society. A 2015 Washington Post article aptly suggests that family values are what makes Singapore strong. It captures Mr Lee's view that when we break away from tested norms, such as the family unit, there is grave disquiet. The family is the building block of society. Indeed, this is wisdom and precisely why we need to be extremely careful to change the construct of the family...

I reiterate today: Singapore's public policy is and has always been to uphold heterosexual marriage and promote the formation of families within such marriages. Among other things, this public policy has long been embodied in section 12(1) of the Women's Charter, which invalidates same-sex marriages. Consistent with this policy, an overseas same-sex marriage will, generally, not be accorded legal recognition in Singapore.

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

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2022: Does not support same-sex couples procuring children through ART or surrogacy

Hence, our policies also reflect and reinforce this basic idea about marriage and family. We encourage parenthood within marriage. We do not support same-sex family formation and we maintain our policy against planned and deliberate single parenthood, including using assisted reproduction techniques (ART) or surrogacy.

We have made these clear in Parliament on multiple occasions. We have also taken steps to defend our pro-family policies when they are challenged.

For example, in the adoption case of UKM vs AG, the Court did not agree with the Government that an adoption order should not be made if it resulted in the formation of a same-sex family unit. Thereafter, the Government made clear its policy position, that it does not support same-sex family formation, surrogacy and planned and deliberate single parenthood, including through ART and/or surrogacy.  

More recently, Parliament re-enacted the Adoption of Children Act 2022 to make clear that joint adoption applications can only be made by couples whose marriage is recognised in Singapore. Only a man and a woman who are married to each other can apply together. Adoption should not be used as a process to support the formation of same-sex families.  

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

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2022: Only parliament, not the courts, can redefine marriage

Clause 1 of the Article makes clear that Parliament can act to define, regulate, protect, safeguard, support, foster and promote marriage. For example, today, the Women’s Charter and AMLA define civil and Muslim marriages respectively and make clear that same-sex marriages are not valid. This clause empowers Parliament to continue to make and amend laws for these purposes. The interpretation of other constitutional provisions must recognise this. For example, in applying the reasonable classification test under Article 12(1), the Courts must recognise that the promotion and safeguarding of heterosexual marriage are legitimate and permissible legislative objects.

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

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2022: HDB will give preference to married couples as defined in the Women's Charter

Clause 2 of the Article applies to the Government and any public authority. It allows them to exercise their functions to protect, safeguard, support, foster and promote marriage. This includes, but is not limited to, the following situations:

(a) HDB can implement public housing policies that give preference to married couples to support, foster and promote marriage;

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

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2022: MSF will promote marriage as defined in the Women's Charter

MSF, when they evaluate adoption applications, can recognise and take into account the public policy goal to foster and promote the formation of families within the context of marriage as defined in the Women’s Charter and AMLA;

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

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2022: MOE will teach marriage as defined in the Women's Charter

Curricula for preschools and MOE schools centre on the values that reflect Singapore’s mainstream society. That is, marriage as being a union between a man and a woman; and children being born within marriage and raised within such a family construct;

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

I explained in my opening speech that our education policies and curriculum remain anchored on Singapore's prevailing family values and social norms, which most Singaporeans want to uphold. These include the family as the cornerstone of our social fabric, and marriage between a man and a woman. In our schools, all students learn and practise values such as mutual understanding, respect and empathy for everyone. They will also understand that issues can have multiple perspectives and are taught to listen to each other’s points of view, understand the perspective of others and learn to interact and engage respectfully with each other, even if their views differ.

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

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2022: Sexuality education will not feature same-sex relationships

In the context of sexuality education, content will be age-appropriate. This means, for example, in preschools and Primary schools, our curriculum will not feature same-sex parents or same-sex romantic relationships. At older ages, if introduced, we will focus on educating our young to treat everyone with respect and empathy but will not promote same-sex relationships; and

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

The Sexuality Education Curriculum in MOE schools respects the primary role of parents and reflects the national posture on the heterosexual family as the basic unit of society. The curriculum remains secular and based on research and evidence. It is focused on age appropriateness and the developmental needs of the child when touching on topics such as homosexuality.

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

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2022: IMDA will regulate content defined by social norms

IMDA, in regulating media content, is guided by principles that include prevailing social norms and values that are generally acceptable to members of the public and protecting younger audiences from age-inappropriate content.

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

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2022: The institution of marriage should not be "elevated" to a fundamental right

As explained earlier, the Constitution should be for functions such as sovereignty and our system of governance. The institution of marriage and family is the bedrock of society, but to elevate it to the same level as fundamental rights would fundamentally change the whole complexion and schema of the Constitution. There are many important laws and principles that are not in the Constitution but are in Acts of Parliament...

Importantly, this Government will not use our current super-majority in Parliament to tie the hands of the future generations. Hence, the constitutional amendment will not prevent future Governments, elected by the people, from amending the legal definition of marriage by a simple majority in Parliament, should they choose to do so. This is how democracy works...

So long as society strongly supports the current definition of marriage, no Government will change the definition. If society's support erodes, no amount of legislation or constitutional entrenchment will prevent change...

On our part, the Government is doing all it can to promote social norms and values aligned to the current definition of marriage. But it is not something the Government can accomplish on its own. The transmission of social values to the next generation is something Singaporeans practise within their own families and with their loved ones.

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

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2022: Religious groups have the right to preach

Religious groups can continue to preach about homosexuality according to their religious beliefs. However, for all the diverse groups that may be for or against homosexuality, no one can violate the laws of the land or instigate violence or intimidation towards others or a particular group.

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

Second, religious freedom is protected in Article 15 of the Constitution. Every person has the right to profess, propagate and practise his or her own religion, subject to public order, health and morality. Every religious group has the right to manage its own religious affairs. One can still preach on the pulpit their beliefs about homosexuality or family, even if others might disagree...

Religious organisations, as owners of their premises at places of worship, have the discretion to refuse same-sex solemnisations or weddings to be held on their premises. There is no law which prohibits them from treating same-sex couples differently from opposite-sex couples when exercising such rights.

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

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2022: International schools must respect social norms

For international schools, MOE does not regulate the curriculum. That said, as the schools operate in Singapore, they should respect our social norms and values. They must also be careful not to cross the line into advocacy on issues in Singapore that could be socially divisive, such as how sexual orientation, are handled in laws and public policy. These are matters for Singaporeans to discuss and decide.

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

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2022: Illegal to solemnise a same-sex couple

First, Article 156 will provide further protection for the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman. There are no plans to change this definition to include same-sex marriages. Religious leaders or any licensed solemniser for that matter, cannot solemnise a same-sex couple. This is against the law.

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

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2022: Religious counselling is legal

Religious organisations may support those who are struggling or have issues with their sexuality, including through prayers and counselling, as long as consent is obtained and criminal thresholds of harm are not crossed.

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

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2022: Employers must make employment decisions based on merit, not other factors

Fourth, on employment, workplace and businesses. We do not tolerate discrimination at the workplace. Employees are protected against discrimination under the Tripartite Guidelines for Fair Employment Practices (TGFEP). These guidelines require employers to make employment decisions based on merit and not factors irrelevant to the job.

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

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2022: Religious organisations can hire based on religion and values

For religious organisations, understandably, the potential employee's religion and values would be a relevant consideration for certain roles.

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

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2022: Employers must respect staff's beliefs and not do advocacy on socially divisive issues

The Government, generally, does not interfere in how a private business operates. However, private businesses must respect that their own staff have a right to their personal beliefs. They also cannot cross the line into advocacy on issues in Singapore that are socially divisive, which include issues on homosexuality. These are matters only for Singaporeans to discuss and decide. At our workplaces, employees should not feel compelled to support causes or participate in activities that do not align with their beliefs. TGFEP is clear that an employee's support or non-support of causes, if not relevant to job performance, cannot be used in employment decisions and performance evaluation.

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

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2022: Businesses should not use commerce as a platform to display beliefs

Lastly, we should keep the marketplace free from the polarising contestation of values. In a free and open economy, with an abundance of choice, businesses can decide what events are allowed on their premises. However, while businesses make their own commercial judgement with regard to their prospective customers, they should do so in a sensitive and respectful manner. Nonetheless, I urge everyone not to use commerce as a platform to display the conviction of their beliefs. In the spirit of mutual respect, I hope businesses and prospective customers can strive to be gracious and adopt the approach of "live and let live".

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

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2022: LGBT persons are protected from violence

He added, though, that LGBT persons must continue to be protected from violence, harassment and abuse, and that there are both civil and criminal measures to protect all victims against such offences.

“We also urge the public to step forward to report violence and abuse where LGBT cases may be involved.”

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/spore-needs-find-own-way-forward-section-377a-without-sudden-shifts-deep-division-masagos-1842441