PHOTO: ST FILE
Commenting on the move to protect the definition of marriage from court challenges, SMU Dean of Students and Professor of Sociology (Practice) Paulin Straughan said the vast majority of Singaporeans are sympathetic to concerns of having Section 377A on the books, but they also continue to “valorise” the idea of marriage as between a heterosexual couple. “Because of the sentiments here to uphold the definition of marriage as being between a heterosexual couple, I think that the vast majority of Singaporeans would probably find this middle ground comfortable for now,” she added. SMU Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan said the moves should help reduce lawsuits on the constitutionality of laws and policies that are premised on marriage being a union of a woman and a man, while also facilitating the accommodation of differences in society here. He added that the constitutional amendment does not overreach but cautioned there is no guarantee that culture wars will not happen.