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SINGAPORE - The global growth of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities has not left Singapore untouched and this is a new challenge the country must face, said former chief justice Chan Sek Keong.
He added that whatever the outcome of the challenge to the anti-gay law by activists in court, the needs and interests of this community must be addressed.
His remarks in a lecture delivered to the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers last September were published in the current issue of the Singapore Academy of Law Journal.
The lecture, titled "Multiculturalism in Singapore - the way to a harmonious society", traced the various measures taken by the Government and the community to address the traditional challenges posed by race and religion and promote social harmony.
His speech also dwelt, among other things, on the protection of minorities, constitutional safeguards and the practical moves to promote understanding and harmony.
He listed the LGBT group as one of two new challenges, the other being irresponsible online speech on race and religion that can lead to social disorder.
CJ Chan, as he then was, noted that the LGBT community was a new group that was developing, in contrast to the traditional fault lines of race and religion that had to be carefully managed.
The law criminalising gay sex - S377A of the Penal Code - was being challenged in court as being invalid under the Singapore Constitution, he noted.
The offence is punishable with a jail term of up to two years but the Government has made clear it will not be proactively enforced against consenting adults who engage in gay sex in private with a view to prosecuting them.
Earlier this week, the High Court threw out the first of two cases that challenged the validity of the law. The outcome of the second case is pending and it is understood that both could eventually be pursued on appeal at Singapore's apex court.
One consequence would be its impact on Muslim law, he said.
"Sodomy is a grave offence against Muslim law. If S377A is held unconstitutional on the ground that it discriminates against homosexual males, how would it impact on Islamic beliefs and values?"
Mr Chan said that whatever the court's verdict, Singapore will have to address the needs and interests of the LGBT group, which crosses racial and religious lines, with members coming from different cultural traditions.
"Managing these tensions calls for care and sensitivity, tolerance, patience and compromise," said Mr Chan.
"Political and community leaders would need to pay attention to these issues constantly".
