Lawmakers in Singapore repealed a colonial-era law Nov. 29 that criminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations.
The Straits Times newspaper notes 93 MPs voted to repeal Section 377A of the country’s penal code after 10 hours of debate that spanned two days. A constitutional amendment that ensures marriage remains defined between a man and a woman also passed on Tuesday with 85 MPs voting in favor of it.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in August announced his country would decriminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations.
The city-state’s Court of Appeal in February upheld a lower court decision that dismissed three lawsuits against Section 377A of the country’s penal code. Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam a few months later told the BBC his country will not prosecute anyone under the colonial-era law.
