8 A few respectable steps behind the world? Gay and lesbian rights in contemporary Singapore Simon Obendorf We will follow the world. A few respectable steps behind. Lee Kuan Yew, Minister Mentor, Government of Singapore 24 April 2007 1 Introduction Singapore usually prefers to advertise the ways in which it leads, rather than follows the world. Political leaders of this tiny Southeast Asian city-state are usually quick to highlight the country’s rapid economic growth, enviable living standards, social stability, huge foreign reserves and extensive external trade. Much is made of Singapore’s accomplishments in globally competitive industries such as biotechnology, information and communication technology, education, aviation and inancial services. he extent of these triumphalist nationalist narratives can be seen in the words of Singapore’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who stated in 2008 that ‘Singapore is quite simply the most successful society in the history of humanity’ (Mahbubani cited in Kampfner 2008). More succinctly, the oicial narrative of post-independence Singapore’s social, economic and national development was encapsulated in the title of political patriarch Lee Kuan Yew’s (2000) memoirs: From hird World to First: he Singapore Story 1965–2000. At irst glance, then, it appears contradictory for Lee (independent Singapore’s irst and longest-serving prime minster, and the preeminent igure in the People’s Action Party (PAP) government that has ruled Singapore since its independence), to state that the country’s government – when it comes to certain issues – is content for Singapore to lag ‘a few respectable steps’ behind developments elsewhere in the world. he speciic issue to which Lee refers is 1 he interview from which this quote is drawn was reported by Reuters (2007) and Trevvy (Trevvy.com 2007), among others. A transcript of the relevant part of the interview is provided by Au (2007a). Chapter 8, pp. 231–59 of Corinne Lennox & Matthew Waites (eds.) (2013) Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in he Commonwealth: Struggles for Decriminalisation and Change (London: School of Advanced Study, University of London).