SINGAPORE — Although most young adults agreed that the repeal of a law criminalising gay sex represents a step towards a more inclusive society, a majority also felt that it is important to uphold the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.

These were among the findings from the TODAY Youth Survey 2022, an annual survey that seeks to give a voice to millennials and Gen Zers on societal issues and everyday topics close to their hearts.

This is the second edition of the survey. Last year's inaugural survey covered the topics of racism, religion, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) attitudes, gender dynamics, the impact of Covid-19 on mental well-being and social ties, and career and material success. 

This year's survey looked at mental health, inflation and cost of living, climate change and sustainability, as well as work-life balance, politics and attitudes on LGBTQ issues.

The demographically representative survey, which polled 1,000 respondents aged between 18 and 35, was carried out between Sept 5 and 16.

Almost seven in 10 (68 per cent) of youths polled said that the repeal of Section 377A of the penal code, which criminalises sex between homosexuals, is positive for inclusivity in Singapore. 

Yet, when asked if same-sex marriage is wrong, the respondents were generally divided, with 37 per cent agreeing or strongly agreeing with the statement, and 33 per cent disagreeing or strongly disagreeing. The remaining said that they were neutral.

At the same time, 62 per cent of the respondents felt that it was important to uphold and safeguard the definition of marriage as that between a man and a woman.

A Bill has been tabled in Parliament to amend the Constitution to protect from legal challenges the existing definition of marriage as well as other laws and policies dependent on the definition.

But this amendment will not entrench or "hard code" the existing definition of marriage itself into the Constitution.

Sociologists who spoke to TODAY said that this discrepancy in young Singaporeans’ views could be due to the internalisation of the traditional definition of marriage as a norm, even though they recognised that Section 377A is outrightly discriminatory towards the LGBTQ community.

Reflecting such views, a 26-year-old tuition teacher, who wanted to be known only as Ms Cheryl, said that she supported the repeal of Section 377A because she believes that homosexuality is not a crime.

For this reason, Ms Cheryl felt that the repeal is a step towards a more inclusive society because “it sends a statement to the LGBTQ community that they are safe being who they are, even if their behaviour is still not accepted by the mainstream community in Singapore”.

On the other hand, Ms Cheryl said that she believes same-sex marriage is “inherently wrong” because it goes against her religious beliefs as a Christian.

SURVEY FINDINGS

Indeed, there was a contrast in views between young adults who subscribe to a religion and those who do not.

About four in 10 (42 per cent) of the respondents who said that they subscribed to a religion felt that same-sex marriage is wrong, while only 24 per cent of free thinkers and those without a religion felt the same way.

Correspondingly, a higher proportion of respondents with a religion (65 per cent) felt that it was important to uphold the traditional definition of marriage, compared with respondents who were free thinkers or without a religion (53 per cent).

Professor Paulin Straughan, a sociologist from the Singapore Management University, said that the difference in views between those with a religion and those without was not unexpected, since those with a religion tend to be more conservative and would want to stick with the status quo.

“But, when it comes to the repeal of Section 377A, regardless of religion, most Singaporeans, particularly young adults, will agree that it is a bad law and we should never discriminate in that manner,” Prof Straughan said.

Associate Professor Tan Ern Ser, from the National University of Singapore's sociology department, said the survey showed that even though a substantial proportion of the youth do not view homosexuality as being immoral, they are not yet comfortable with seeing major changes to societal norms.

"I reckon that it is possible to reconcile repealing 377A and rejecting same-sex marriage, if religionists see gay sex as a matter of private, individual choice or even biology; while same-sex marriage is perceived as effectively transforming a social institution, contrary to what they believe," he added. 

VIEWS FROM LGBTQ COMMUNITY

People from the LGBTQ community interviewed by TODAY said that the survey findings reflected a lack of awareness among the general population.

Mr Joshua Simon, the 32-year-old host of podcast The SG Boys, which discusses LGBTQ issues, said that following the Government’s announcement in August that Section 377A would be repealed, the public conversation “very quickly shifted” from the lack of rights for the LGBTQ community to one about the definition of family and marriage, which are rights that heterosexuals in Singapore already have.

This showed that the perception of what is considered inclusive, as reflected by the survey respondents, is not accurate because the LGBTQ community in Singapore continues to be stigmatised, Mr Simon added.

Ms Cally Cheung, a lesbian who started an online platform for the LGBTQ community to seek support, said that people would have a better understanding of the issues that LGBTQ people face when they know them personally.

The 27-year-old gave the example of how those in her immediate circle of friends and family, as well as colleagues, reacted positively when she legally married her partner in Australia in September.

“While (the marriage) is not legally recognised (in Singapore), their warm wishes were undoubtedly sincere. I feel that it is different when people can see that the real people they know are being affected by unequal laws.” ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JUSTIN ONG

Hybrid webinars will be held on Nov 14 and 15 to discuss the findings of TODAY Youth Survey 2022. More details here.