The petition was set up to stop the singer performing with Queen in Singapore.

The announcement that Queen singer Adam Lambert will be headlining the Countdown 2016 New Year’s Eve concert in Singapore sparked outrage in the country last week.

A petition demanding for the singer to be dropped from the event has been now been signed by 20,000 Singaporeans. They claim to fear that the openly gay singer will perform “lewd acts” on stage in front of children.

The petition also expressed concern over Lambert’s role as an LGBT activist, saying he engages in the “active promotion of a highly sexualized lifestyle and LGBT rights, both of which are contrary to mainstream Singaporean values.”

However, the singer has remained defiant in the face of the criticism, taking to Twitter to address the backlash.

“Fighting homophobia one step at a time,” the singer wrote.

His reaction to the backlash has won the singer many supporters, who have praised both his bravery and dignified response.

The Queen singer also released a statement when he first heard of the petition, promising that his performance at the event will be low key.

“My performance at Celebrate 2016 will not only be a spectacular one,” he said.

“It will celebrate the entire human family in all its diversity.

“I am a uniter, not a divider…I hope you will join me to celebrate the future and 2016,” he added.

Countdown 2016 is being organised by the state owned broadcaster MediaCorp and the event will be televised across the country.

Homosexuality is currently illegal in the country due to a colonial-era law that was challenged by activists last year.

Back in May, the Singaporean government banned a song and music video by a popular K-Pop star because they portrayed same-sex marriage and homosexual themes.

However, despite the current laws in the country nearly 28,000 people attended this year’s Pink Dot, an annual LGBT rights rally.