The prohibition on gay marriage, however, will remain intact. The decision was announced on national TV. LBGTQ activists in Singapore are welcoming the step which has come about after years of fierce debate. The government had previously announced that the colonial era 377A law which prohibits gay sex would remain in place but no action will be taken to enforce it in a bid to appease everyone.
It was, however, announced that the law would be repealed in its entirety. Prime Minister Lee said "I believe this is the right thing to do, and something that most Singaporeans will accept".
During his address he also said that 'gay people are now better accepted' and that doing away with 377A would bring Singapore's laws in line with current social mores.
While LGBTQ groups are generally appreciative of the positive step they remain concerned about the second aspect of Lee's address where he said the government would ensure better legal protection for the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman. "We believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, that children should be raised within such families, that the traditional family should form the basic building block of society," he said, saying that they will make sure that the definition of marriage isn't constitutionally challenged in the courts.