Author: Sayoni Artist: Esther Lim

The Singapore government has actively proclaimed its duty to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) persons from violence. In response to questions raised by Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Professor Walter Theseira, Minister Desmond Lee has said, “The Penal Code criminalises violence and the use of force against all persons, including LGBTQ persons.”[1] 

Ironically, the same Penal Code criminalises sex between mutually consenting men, institutionalising a legislative and administrative framework of discrimination against all LGBTQ persons. This legitimises stigma and violence based on sexuality and gender, with disproportionate consequences for LBTQ women and persons assigned female at birth, who are disadvantaged in multiple intersectional ways due to gender, race, class and sexual orientation. 

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Esther is an illustrator/animation student based in Singapore. Highly awkward, she creates quirky characters to draw attention away from herself. Her works can be found at estherlim.work or on instagram @douchebagbobo.

Sayoni (sayoni.com) is a Singapore-based feminist, volunteer-run organisation that works to uphold human rights protections for queer women, including lesbian, bisexual and transgender women. We organise and advocate for equality in well-being and dignity regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and sex characteristics.