As a former British Colony SINGAPORE inherited a great many of the laws imposed on them by its British rulers. One prohibited sodomy regardless of sex and as such heterosexual and homosexual anal or oral sex was illegal. In 2007, such sexual activity was legalized for heterosexuals and lesbians, but not between men who could face two years’ imprisonment if caught,
It is still a very conservative society and onlt 3 years ago Prime Minister Lee claimed his government would NEVER repeal the arcane law. Thank goodness their Supreme Court felt different and ruled in 2022 that the law was entirely unenforceable. It forced the reluctant Prime Ministers’ hand and on 21 August 2022, he announced that the law would go,
There was a stinger in the tail as he added that he would not list the ban of gay movies, or would he ever allow same-sex marriages.
So it is with perfect timing that Liam Campbell Elska’s Editor in Chief would devote the latest issue to Singapore
Campbell told Queerguru “Singapore is a dichotomy, at once a modern, affluent city and also a conservative and authoritarian\]place where homophobia is formalized in law and censorship is strict and well-enforced. “Because of this I never thought that Singapore would be the sort of place for us. As a publication that is actually illegal to sell in the country, what would be the point?
Even in this authoritarian state, many were lauding Singapore as home of the next great LGBTQ rights movement, and locals were telling me how ready they were to rebel. With this passion I decided to come and there I discovered some of the boldest and most defiant population ever, leading to an issue that breaks all the rules and shatters all the stereotypes. It’s even the most naked issue we’ve ever made in Asia, definitely a sign that queer Singaporeans are ready to be seen as well as heard.”Inside ‘Elska Singapore’ readers will meet a dozen local men. Each was photographed in their neighborhoods and at home, revealing some of their city, their style, and their selves. The photography provides a truly intimate and revealing way to get to know a slice of Singapore gay life, which is then taken further by the inclusion of honest and personal stories penned by each of the participating men.
ELSKA Singapore is available from a select handful of shops around the globe
and online from the Elska website https://www.elskamagazine.com/
