Current Version
| Region | Singapore |
| Issue | Censorship of LGBT issues |
| Status | State-enforced |
| Start Date | Jul 25, 1989 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | Censorship of LGBTIQ+ topics in Singapore largely began in the 1990s after the Censorship Review Committee recommended that materials promoting homosexuality be disallowed in their 1992 report. Gay clubs which had flourished in the 1980s and decades prior were also subject to police raids since 1989. LGBT topics are also censored in media and education by the Ministry of Communications and Information, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority. Restrictions on topics date back to 1997 on the Internet and 2004 on radio. Even after decriminalisation, the government sought to keep its censorship laws. |
| Sources | https://deadline.com/2022/08/singapore-gay-sex-law-377a-repeal-1235098022/ https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/SG%20-%20EXE%20-%20Internet%20Code%20of%20Practice%20(1997)%20-%20OR-OFF(en).pdf https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/SG%20-%20EXE%20-%20Free-To-Air%20Radio%20Programme%20Code%20(2004)%20-%20OR-OFF(en).pdf https://variety.com/2022/global/asia/singapore-lgbtq-content-policy-decriminalization-1235347698/ https://www.fridae.asia/gay-news/2003/09/09/567.spore-eases-censorship-rules-for-gay-themed-films-among-others?n=sec https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/book-detail?cmsuuid=e634b8b0-b986-4c14-9016-b8dcfe12dd6b https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19931123-1.2.30.5 https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19890725-1.2.30.21 https://oliviaparamour.github.io/queertimeline/#event-police-anti-gay-entrapment-and-raids |
| Federal Law | Yes |
Revision History (7)
edited by DaisyGeekyTrans. Adding more info on censorship with a now definitive start date.
Helpful?
0 | Old Value | New Value (Current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Start Date | Nov 1, 1997 | Jul 25, 1989 |
| Description | LGBT topics are censored in media and education by the Ministry of Communications and Information, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority. Restrictions on topics date back to 1997 on the Internet and 2004 on radio. Even after decriminalisation, the government sought to keep its censorship laws. | Censorship of LGBTIQ+ topics in Singapore largely began in the 1990s after the Censorship Review Committee recommended that materials promoting homosexuality be disallowed in their 1992 report. Gay clubs which had flourished in the 1980s and decades prior were also subject to police raids since 1989. LGBT topics are also censored in media and education by the Ministry of Communications and Information, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority. Restrictions on topics date back to 1997 on the Internet and 2004 on radio. Even after decriminalisation, the government sought to keep its censorship laws. |
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| Federal Law | No | Yes |
| Sources | https://deadline.com/2022/08/singapore-gay-sex-law-377a-repeal-1235098022/ https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/SG%20-%20EXE%20-%20Internet%20Code%20of%20Practice%20(1997)%20-%20OR-OFF(en).pdf https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/SG%20-%20EXE%20-%20Free-To-Air%20Radio%20Programme%20Code%20(2004)%20-%20OR-OFF(en).pdf https://variety.com/2022/global/asia/singapore-lgbtq-content-policy-decriminalization-1235347698/ | https://deadline.com/2022/08/singapore-gay-sex-law-377a-repeal-1235098022/ https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/SG%20-%20EXE%20-%20Internet%20Code%20of%20Practice%20(1997)%20-%20OR-OFF(en).pdf https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/SG%20-%20EXE%20-%20Free-To-Air%20Radio%20Programme%20Code%20(2004)%20-%20OR-OFF(en).pdf https://variety.com/2022/global/asia/singapore-lgbtq-content-policy-decriminalization-1235347698/ https://www.fridae.asia/gay-news/2003/09/09/567.spore-eases-censorship-rules-for-gay-themed-films-among-others?n=sec https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/book-detail?cmsuuid=e634b8b0-b986-4c14-9016-b8dcfe12dd6b https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19931123-1.2.30.5 https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19890725-1.2.30.21 https://oliviaparamour.github.io/queertimeline/#event-police-anti-gay-entrapment-and-raids |
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edited by DaisyGeekyTrans. Extending date range and more sources.
Helpful?
0 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Start Date | Nov 29, 2022 | Nov 1, 1997 |
| Description | LGBT topics are censored in media and education by the Ministry of Communications and Information, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority. | LGBT topics are censored in media and education by the Ministry of Communications and Information, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority. Restrictions on topics date back to 1997 on the Internet and 2004 on radio. Even after decriminalisation, the government sought to keep its censorship laws. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | https://deadline.com/2022/08/singapore-gay-sex-law-377a-repeal-1235098022/ | https://deadline.com/2022/08/singapore-gay-sex-law-377a-repeal-1235098022/ https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/SG%20-%20EXE%20-%20Internet%20Code%20of%20Practice%20(1997)%20-%20OR-OFF(en).pdf https://database.ilga.org/api/downloader/download/1/SG%20-%20EXE%20-%20Free-To-Air%20Radio%20Programme%20Code%20(2004)%20-%20OR-OFF(en).pdf https://variety.com/2022/global/asia/singapore-lgbtq-content-policy-decriminalization-1235347698/ |
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edited by Unknownmiles. Fixing status
Helpful?
1 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | (REMOVED) | State-enforced |
| Special Status | Ambiguous | State-enforced |
edited by gerwynharry. Generally ambiguous and not actively enforced per source
Helpful?
-1 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | State-enforced | (REMOVED) |
| Special Status | State-enforced | Ambiguous |
Reports (1)
- Status is not correct "should say it is censored, not ambiguous"
| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | LGBT topics are censored in media and education | LGBT topics are censored in media and education by the Ministry of Communications and Information, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority. |
Show Difference | ||
Reports (2)
- Newer law has been passed
- Status is not correct "LGBT movies and shows are free to air, just warrants a higher age rating. LGBT topics have been openly discussed in media, eg. CNA doing a number of documentaries on LGBT issues in Singapore. "
| Old Value (Original) | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | No censorship | State-enforced |
| Description | LGBT media has no censorship since legalization | LGBT topics are censored in media and education |
| Sources | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/30/singapore-lifts-gay-sex-ban-but-blocks-path-toward-marriage-equality | https://deadline.com/2022/08/singapore-gay-sex-law-377a-repeal-1235098022/ |
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created by Pizzaslices412653
Helpful?
-1 | Original entry | |
|---|---|
| Status | No censorship |
| Start Date | Nov 29, 2022 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | LGBT media has no censorship since legalization |
| Sources | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/30/singapore-lifts-gay-sex-ban-but-blocks-path-toward-marriage-equality |
Reports (5)
- Status is not correct "Censorship is still very heavy by IMDA in media and by MOE in education."
- Status is not correct "All media containing LGBT content will mark it to be R21 or intended for mature audiences, such as Lightyear. National television shows cannot portray LGBT characters and if so have to portray them as pedophiles or crossdressers"
- Status is not correct "LGBTQ media is still censored through age restrictions on LGBTQ film and tv."
- Status is not correct "Singapore government has been giving strict age ratings for any media that has LGBT content, and in some cases, did not even allow airing of such films in theatres."
- Newer law has been passed "- "