Same But Different: A Singapore LGBT Legal Guide For Couples & Families

Same But Different: A Singapore LGBT Guide for Couples & Families is a publication aimed at empowering its target readership to address the legal issues they commonly faced.

The law that criminalises sex between men, Section 377A of the Penal Code, remains on the statute books and there has been no progress made towards recognising LGBT couples or families in the law. In the present political climate, there is no prospect in the near future for progress in the recognition of LGBT families. However, at the same time, the LGBT community is increasingly coming out of the closet and is living ordinary (but legally unrecognised) lives with their partners and sometimes their children.

Hence, it has become even more important for the community to know how and why existing laws apply to their families and be empowered with the information to protect themselves under the legal system. While pro bono clinics exist and there are even guidebooks for the average person such as “You and The Law” and “Teens and the Law”, the needs of the LGBT community are unique and may not be addressed by these references.

Most LGBT families either do not know any LGBT-friendly and knowledgeable lawyers who are able to address their concerns or cannot afford to seek legal advice for even basic queries. Further, the fear of discrimination and the fact that male gay sex is still illegal frequently discourages the use of avenues such as pro bono clinics and even seeking paid legal advice.

Thus, many LGBT families do not have access to reliable, accurate legal information, and hence, have no effective access to justice. The guide aims to answer frequently asked questions. It does not aim to replace legal advice and work done by practicing lawyers, but simply provide a starting point that will empower the reader to take the necessary steps themselves where possible, and seek more detailed advice and legal help when necessary. The guide is written in a layman-friendly manner. This is to break down complex legal concepts and nuances for the uninitiated.

The guide also uses fictional profiles of LGBT families to take them through various aspects of the law. A team of lawyers, law students and academics were put together to draft on the content of the book since November 2015. All the contributors worked on a completely voluntary basis.

=See also=
 * Discrimination against homosexuals in Singapore

=References=
 * Kok Xing Hui, "Team of lawyers create guidebook for LGBT couples in Singapore", The Straits Times, 13 March 2017.
 * Facebook page of "Same But Different: A Singapore LGBT Guide for Couples & Families":.

=Acknowledgements=

This article was written by Roy Tan.