Our Lesbian Sisters in Singapore An interview with a leading lesbian rights activist in Singapore, Jean Chong of lesbian group Sayoni 09 January 2013 Gay Star News The LGBT rights movement in Singapore has been mainly dominated by gay men, but Gay Star News met Jean Chong of lesbian group Sayoni and discovered that sisters
Singapore is an island microstate located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. At 707.1 km2 (273.0 sq mi) Singapore is one of four remaining true city-states in the world. It is the smallest nation in Southeast Asia. Its modern economy is focused on electronics manufacturing, petrochemicals, tourism and financial services alongside massive entrepôt (shipping transfer) trade. Singapore is the 5th wealthiest country in the world in terms of GDP (PPP) per capita.
Homosexual sex is illegal in Singapore. Constitutional rights for gay people are nonexistent for the most part, and penalties for crimes relating to homosexual acts is up to 2 years’ jail. However, in October 2007, during the Penal Code review and repeal of the criminal status, the Singapore government declared that private, consensual, adult homosexual sex would no longer be prosecuted but that its illegality would remain as a statement of the values of the "conservative majority". Nevertheless, gay groups are active and constantly challenge the government.
Name: Singapore
Population: 4840000
Capital: Singapore City - Pop. 4840000
Area: 618 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
Religion: Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, Muslim
Status of Homosexuality: Illegal (not enforced)
Telephone Country Code: 65
Gay Singapore 1996: Renovating The Closet
Intro: Singapore is a traditionally conservative Asian country, known for its stringent laws. But it’s also one of the top economic and technological ‘tigers’ of the twenty-first century. The clash of these two forces, old and new, is slowly but surely bringing change for the better for lesbigays here. Also see: Gay Singapore Stories
Gay Singapore 1997–Censored (Almost)
Intro: A short commentary on my second exposure to this squeaky-clean city-state where lesbigays are clearly present, well-dressed–and with few places to go. Gay life might be narrow and suppressed here, but the overall quality of life in Singapore makes it quite bearable. Also see: Gay Singapore Stories Gay Singapore News & Reports 2000
Gay Singapore 2010
Intro: An updated trip to this prosperous city-state where the LGBT community has learned well the rules for survival and good business. Today’s gay Singapore is surprisingly active, varied and always pushing the envelop of tolerance. Also see: Gay Singapore Stories Gay Singapore News & Reports 2000 to present Gay Singapore Photo Galleries By Richard