When healthcare worker V first met his partner E, a researcher, in 2000 they instantly clicked and began their relationship that spanned a little over 20 years.
At the time, homosexuality was still an offence in Singapore but V, who is now in his late 40s and spoke on condition of anonymity, told This Week in Asia they were happy enjoying food, travel and what he described as “quiet activism” in the city state.
To commemorate the second year of their relationship, he gifted E matching wedding bands but soon after, E lost his ring while he was at the gym. They later celebrated their fifth, 10th and 15th anniversaries with different rings.
E was diagnosed with chest cancer in 2017 and died in 2020. The colonial law criminalising gay sex between men in Singapore would be struck off the books only in 2023.
V has decided to submit his second anniversary ring to LGBTQ non-profit Pink Dot, which will mark its annual pride event on June 28 with a time capsule containing objects from the community that will be opened in 2050.
“I hope whoever reads this in 25 years’ time will know that love is love and has and will last for years to come,” V said.
