Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SINGAPORE2244
2007-12-27 04:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:
SINGAPORE "POSTPONES" GAY RIGHTS AFTER LIVELY
how-toVZCZCXRO0635 RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHGP #2244/01 3610415 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 270415Z DEC 07 ***ZFR*** FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4641 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 SINGAPORE 002244
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI SN
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE "POSTPONES" GAY RIGHTS AFTER LIVELY
DEBATE
SINGAPORE 00002244 001.2 OF 003
****ZFR****ZFR****ZFR****ZFR****
DISREGARD SINGAPORE 2244.
MESSAGE WILL BE RESENT UNDER ANOTHER MRN.
********************************
SINGAPORE 00002244 002.2 OF 003
***ZFR****ZFR****ZFR****ZFR****
SINGAPORE 00002244 003 OF 003
heterosexual values and giving homosexuals space to live
their lives. Until there is a broader consensus on
decriminalizing homosexual sex, Singapore will stick to the
status quo," he said. However, at the close of the
Parliamentary debate, PM Lee assured citizens that while the
statute would remain on the books, the law would not be
actively enforced.
Comment
--------------
11. (C) The unusually spirited public debate over repeal of
Article 377A reflects an ongoing "social opening" as
the GOS tries to recast Singapore as a cutting edge (as well
as stable and secure) place to visit and live. More
characteristically, it was part of carefully managed
political exercise in which senior GOS leaders established
the parameters of discourse and then steered the machinery of
government to a preordained outcome. LKY's prominent
role suggests he remains, even in semi-retirement, the brains
and master tactician behind Singapore's social
engineering. However surprising his nod toward gay rights --
at 84 years, one might expect him to be among the
"conservative older" denizens whose sensibilities need
protecting -- his solution was vintage LKY; i.e., utterly
pragmatic. As he told the New York Times in a recent,
unrelated interview, Singapore must "go in whatever direction
world conditions dictate"; if we are not connected to this
modern world" we'll go back to the fishing village we once
were." In effect, the GOS message to gay activists was "yes,
the ban on homosexuality is unfair and will be repealed when
the old folks die off; in the meantime, we'll leave you
alone." Interestingly, there was little discussion of the
ban's blatant gender discrimination. If the outcome was
predetermined, there was little point in opening that second
can of worms.
Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
HERBOLD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL SOCI SN
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE "POSTPONES" GAY RIGHTS AFTER LIVELY
DEBATE
SINGAPORE 00002244 001.2 OF 003
****ZFR****ZFR****ZFR****ZFR****
DISREGARD SINGAPORE 2244.
MESSAGE WILL BE RESENT UNDER ANOTHER MRN.
********************************
SINGAPORE 00002244 002.2 OF 003
***ZFR****ZFR****ZFR****ZFR****
SINGAPORE 00002244 003 OF 003
heterosexual values and giving homosexuals space to live
their lives. Until there is a broader consensus on
decriminalizing homosexual sex, Singapore will stick to the
status quo," he said. However, at the close of the
Parliamentary debate, PM Lee assured citizens that while the
statute would remain on the books, the law would not be
actively enforced.
Comment
--------------
11. (C) The unusually spirited public debate over repeal of
Article 377A reflects an ongoing "social opening" as
the GOS tries to recast Singapore as a cutting edge (as well
as stable and secure) place to visit and live. More
characteristically, it was part of carefully managed
political exercise in which senior GOS leaders established
the parameters of discourse and then steered the machinery of
government to a preordained outcome. LKY's prominent
role suggests he remains, even in semi-retirement, the brains
and master tactician behind Singapore's social
engineering. However surprising his nod toward gay rights --
at 84 years, one might expect him to be among the
"conservative older" denizens whose sensibilities need
protecting -- his solution was vintage LKY; i.e., utterly
pragmatic. As he told the New York Times in a recent,
unrelated interview, Singapore must "go in whatever direction
world conditions dictate"; if we are not connected to this
modern world" we'll go back to the fishing village we once
were." In effect, the GOS message to gay activists was "yes,
the ban on homosexuality is unfair and will be repealed when
the old folks die off; in the meantime, we'll leave you
alone." Interestingly, there was little discussion of the
ban's blatant gender discrimination. If the outcome was
predetermined, there was little point in opening that second
can of worms.
Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm
HERBOLD