2022: Explained why he lifted the party whip on vote for repeal and constitutional amendment

The People's Action Party has announced that it is not lifting the whip for this debate. Given the very public opinion on the impending repeal of 377A, there is a risk that the democratic value of the Parliament could be diluted if the views of Singaporeans on this subject are not adequately ventilated in the House.

Not lifting the whip would deny Workers' Party MPs not in favour of a repeal of 377A the opportunity to vote freely and in doing so, to also represent Singaporeans who see this issue as a matter of deep religious belief and conscience.

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

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2022: Why WP did not take up the LGBTQ+ cause

In my 2019 speech, I said that the LGBTQ+ community should not be exploited for political points. At that time, I believe there was more to consider than deciding which was the right side in this matter, particularly in a society which generally eschews from posting open and frank conversations on difficult matters in the public realm. Against this political culture and background, the Workers' Party neither took up the cause of LGBTQ+ rights, nor stood against it.

I still believe that had the Workers' Party openly supported a repeal of 377A, it would not have been good for Singapore politics.

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

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2022: Social norms will not change with the repeal

From my vantage point as the Leader of the Opposition, my personal belief is that the repeal of 377A does not in any way signal the state's hostility towards the family unit or religious freedom. Rest assured, the family remains and, I dare say, will always be at the core of our social norms.

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

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2022: Talking about social consequences of repeal is not fair

One may argue that 377A is much more complex, that not regulating sexual practices has greater social consequences. But let us remember that when section 377A of the Penal Code was amended in 2007, it decriminalised other sex acts that some still find unorthodox. In singling homosexuality between men in particular, the decision to keep 377A appears to the LGBTQ+ community and not a small number of Singaporeans, to be unjust and unequal.

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

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2022: LGBTQ+ activists will not be satisfied with repeal

I am certain the decision of this House is not a panacea that repairs the tension between camps. We should anticipate that new battle lines will be drawn. For the LGBTQ+ community, the march towards greater equality has not ended. Some conservatives are likely to mobilise to try and stop any further expansion of LGBTQ+ rights.

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

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2022: Religious freedom needs to be protected

Second, the fact that we are a secular society does not stop religious Singaporeans from holding views that are reflective of their religious norms and values. It is fully understandable that the faithful wish to propagate their religious convictions. There is no basis for us to feel cancelled, provided our views are not set as an expectation for all society. There must be a secular approach to politics and governance, even as we celebrate and protect the freedom of religion in Singapore.

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

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2021: Raised awareness of hatred against LGBT-identifying persons

Earlier this year, the owner of an eatery uploaded a video of a well-dressed man in office attire, throwing the rainbow LGBT pride flag at staff members. The flag was placed at the shop front. The man allegedly told staff members, one of whom was hearing impaired, to I quote, "Go to hell", and accused them of being the kind of people who I quote again, "destroy Singapore".

Beyond this incident, it was concerning to read that one of the reasons the eatery owner uploaded the video was, and I quote, "to highlight the everyday reality that the LGBTQ community experience when most incidents are not even caught on camera."

I am aware Minister for Home Affairs, in particular, has spoken up about the state's intolerance of acts perpetrated against the LGBTQ community. Minister has stressed that the Government's job is to protect everybody and warned race, religion or sexual orientation was irrelevant. Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong also made similar remarks.

https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=budget-1596

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2019: Asked if resources available for same-sex couples facing intimate partner violence

I read Minister of Law's speech at PAVE's Dating Violence Awareness Week Event at *SCAPE in February and the stories shared on intimate partner violence (IPV) and separately, how PAVE's activism and engagement directly resulted in the amendments in this Bill to address current gaps in the law. Indeed, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the overwhelming global burden of global IPV is borne by women. However, according to the WHO, IPVs also occur in same-sex marriages as well. Can I clarify if the remedies proposed under this Bill can be sought by individuals who are not married but are in same-sex relationships?

https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=bill-363

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2019: Stood against hate speech directed against sexual minorities

I joined SMS Chee Hong Tat and Dr Tan Cheng Bock in a panel session on Singapore’s future on Wednesday evening at the National University of Singapore. I shared my thoughts on the prospects of dealing with divisive issues in the public space in future, and focused on Section 377A of the Penal Code. I also took the opportunity to restate the Workers’ Party’s position on the issue. There was a general consensus that any sort of hate speech including any directed against sexual minorities was completely unacceptable. The student body posed a number of thoughtful questions on the upcoming legislation on Deliberate Online Falsehoods and Manipulation, curbing of hate speech, electronic health records, whether a minority could ever be Prime Minister of Singapore and the class divide, amongst others. Thank you NUSPA for the invitation.

https://www.facebook.com/pritam.eunos/posts/pfbid02LVu2tcuaBY8WxB6wihMe9Ym4R6FEvqrTNceVxsQ6ZRmvDGd179PUg15meSfLq1Svl

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2019: Shared video about transgender Singaporean

In Singapore, one seldom learns about sexual minorities in a formal setting. Be it in NS or in schools for example, whatever one learns about sexual minorities in the first instance is more often than not, negative and usually derogatory.

Life for such individuals and their families is hard, challenging and difficult - until acceptance makes a breakthrough. We need not make it any harder for them. A spirit of tolerance for who they are and due consideration for those who are different from us will make the world a better place for everyone. It is far easier to live in a closed world – where we revel living in judgment of others. Much harder to reflect, step up and help others get through a tough day, or in some cases, a tougher life.

https://www.facebook.com/profile/100044169262606/search/?q=transgender