- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Unrecognized
- Censorship
- ✖ State-enforced
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires surgery
- Non-binary gender recognition
- Unknown
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ Sexual orientation only
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✖ Banned (indefinite deferral)
- Conversion Therapy
- Ambiguous
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
Public Opinion
Recent surveys in Singapore have revealed a mixed response towards LGBTQ+ rights and issues.
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History
Same-sex marriage in Singapore is unrecognized.
Current status
Since Aug 21, 2022
Since Aug 21, 2022
Unrecognized
At the same time as Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the clause in the penal code known as Section 377A would be repealed, he reiterated that the institution of marriage would remain "between a man and a woman".
Further restrictions were imposed on gay marriage in Singapore on Nov 29th the same year.
Further restrictions were imposed on gay marriage in Singapore on Nov 29th the same year.
Censorship of LGBT Issues in Singapore is state-enforced.
Current status
Since Nov 29, 2022
Since Nov 29, 2022
State-enforced
LGBT topics are censored in media and education by the Ministry of Communications and Information, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority.
Until Nov 29, 2022
Ambiguous
Local media often encourages "familial social norms", but LGBT film and media content are common and not banned, although it often warrants higher age ratings.
Right to change legal gender in Singapore is legal, but requires surgery.
Current status
Since Jan 24, 1996
Since Jan 24, 1996
Legal, but requires surgery
Gender reassignment surgeries are legal in Singapore, and in 1973 the government allowed patients to change their identity cards. This change implicitly recognized marriages that included an individual that had undergone surgery.
However, later in 1990, such marriages were deemed illegal after a marriage between a woman and a transgender man (Lim Ying v Hiok Kian Ming Eric) was declared void by the High Court.
In 1996, MP Abdullah Tarmugi made an announcement that individuals who have undergone surgery could marry someone of the opposite sex.
However, later in 1990, such marriages were deemed illegal after a marriage between a woman and a transgender man (Lim Ying v Hiok Kian Ming Eric) was declared void by the High Court.
In 1996, MP Abdullah Tarmugi made an announcement that individuals who have undergone surgery could marry someone of the opposite sex.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Singapore is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
LGBT discrimination in Singapore is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Since Oct 7, 2019
Since Oct 7, 2019
Illegal in some contexts
The Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (MRHA) was amended in 2019 to include protections for individuals from the LGBTQ community.
In 2021, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam stated that “LGBTQ persons, non-LGBTQ persons, we are all equal. We are not any lesser by reason of our sexual preferences.”
In 2021, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam stated that “LGBTQ persons, non-LGBTQ persons, we are all equal. We are not any lesser by reason of our sexual preferences.”
LGBT employment discrimination in Singapore is sexual orientation only.
Current status
Sexual orientation only
It is generally ambiguous whether protections from the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (MRHA) amendment in 2019 also applies in a workplace context.
In 2021, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam stated that “LGBTQ persons, non-LGBTQ persons, we are all equal. We are not any lesser by reason of our sexual preferences.” and added that action will be taken if anyone stirs hate speech either for or against any sexual or religious community.
In 2021, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam stated that “LGBTQ persons, non-LGBTQ persons, we are all equal. We are not any lesser by reason of our sexual preferences.” and added that action will be taken if anyone stirs hate speech either for or against any sexual or religious community.
LGBT housing discrimination in Singapore is no protections.
Current status
No protections
No laws ban or have no protections.
Serving openly in military in Singapore is legal.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2017
Since Jan 1, 2017
Legal
No restrictions on lgbt serving.
Until Jan 1, 2017
Ambiguous
Medically downgraded to a Physical Employment Status of C (PES C), and put through modified Basic Military Training. On graduation, they are deployed in a vocation which has no security risks, posted to non-sensitive units and given a security status which restricts their access to classified documents.
Blood donations by MSMs in Singapore is banned (indefinite deferral).
Current status
Banned (indefinite deferral)
Indefinite deferral for males; 1 year for females.
Conversion therapy in Singapore is ambiguous.
Current status
Ambiguous
In 2021, the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS) denounced conversion therapy, and advocates affirmative treatment for LGBTQ clients.
Equal age of consent in Singapore is equal.
Current status
Equal
The age of consent in Singapore is 16 for opposite-sex sexual activity, female-female sexual activity and male-male sexual activity.
LGBT Rights by District
View the LGBT laws in each individual district of Singapore.
Equality Rank
#10
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Common queries:
- Is it illegal to be gay in Singapore?
- Is homosexuality legal in Singapore?
- Is gay marriage legal in Singapore?
Alternative names: Singapore/Singapura/Xinjiapo/Singapur (local name)
