Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday told reporters from the region that the island state, which criminalizes sexual relations between men, is not ready to recognize same-sex marriage.

Singapore’s Today newspaper quoted PM Lee as saying that Singapore is still a ‘conservative society.’

‘There is a trend in developed countries. In America, they have gay marriage. It is state by state. Not all states have agreed. In Europe, some countries have done it… but there was big considerable resistance,’ said Lee.

‘Even in America, there is a very strong pushback from conservative groups against the idea.

‘No, I do not think Singapore is ready… In Singapore, there is a range of views. There are gay groups in Singapore, there are gay people in Singapore and they have a place to stay here and we let them live their own lives. And we do not harass them or discriminate against them.’

The PM was asked for his views on same-sex marriage by a journalist from the Philippines at an interview session with journalists from the region which was held in conjunction with the ongoing SEA Games (South East Asian Games) that is being held in Singapore.

Lee also added, ‘But neither, I think, if you ask most Singaporeans, do we want the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community to set the tone for Singapore society. The society is basically a conservative one. It is changing, but it is changing gradually and there are different views, including views especially from the religious groups who push back… It is completely understandable.’

The Government’s view is that ‘where we are… is not a bad place to be,’ Lee said.

‘There is space for the gay community, but they should not push the agenda too hard because if they (do), there will be a very strong pushback,’ he added.

‘And this is not an issue where there is a possibility that the two sides can discuss and eventually come to a consensus. Now, these are very entrenched views and the more you discuss, the angrier people get.’

In 2013, when asked by a delegate at a conference hosted by Singapore’s Institute of Policy Studies’ why a secular country like Singapore has ‘an old and archaic law that nearly discriminates against a whole [group] of people,’ he said, ‘Because it’s always been there and I think we just leave it.’

Members of the LGBT community in Singapore say they are disappointed by his comments.

Nicholas Lim, administrator of Facebook group Gay SG Confessions, was quoted as saying by The Online Citizen, ‘It is disappointing that PM Lee thinks that despite the existence of Section 377A in our Penal Code, there is no discrimination against the gay community in Singapore.’

‘Gay Singaporeans have no wish to change society’s way of living nor set any tone, merely be accepted as full citizens who live, work and play while paying taxes and fulfil their National Service obligations when called upon. Borrowing hostile terms like "pushing the agenda" to label the community sets the wrong tone for civil discourse and as a normal citizen, is disheartening to hear from the nation’s leader,’ he added.

Pink Dot SG, an annual LGBT rally, said in statement on Saturday afternoon that while the country’s anti-gay law (section 377a) ‘is not enforced, its presence alone encourages discrimination and reinforces prejudice, leading to censorship in the media and the aggravation of negative stereotypes, impacting the health and wellbeing of a significant segment of society.’

The statement also quoted figures from Singapore’s first and only LGBT study conducted by a local counselling agency Oogachaga that staggering 60% of 450 LGBT respondents said they have faced discrimination or abuse in their lifetime.

Organizers of the annual Pink Dot rally, which attracted 26,000 people last year, have put out an open invitation for Lee to attend the upcoming rally on June 13 to ‘meet with the individuals, families, and loving couples who form a vibrant part of Singapore’s social fabric.’