define irony

at the quiz yesterday...we had a topic called 'favourite hobby' and it was about sex. so one of the questions asked us to state the penalty for having oral sex in singapore. prior to that i had no idea that having oral sex in singapore was illegal. so being the information whore i am...i googled it. under section 377 of the Singaporean Penal Code:

From legal precedent in both India and Singapore, "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" between individuals (of all sexes - the law being non-gender specific with its use of the word "whoever") has been interpreted to include anal sex and, often after much courtroom deliberation, oral sex as well; namely any form of sexual intercourse which does not have the potential for procreation.

However, recent Singaporean cases have established that heterosexual fellatio is exempted if indulged in as foreplay which eventually leads to coitus. The Singaporean margin note further explains that mere penetration of the penis into the anus or mouth even without orgasm would constitute the offence. The law applies regardless of the act being consensual between both parties and done in private.

so basically i can't have oral sex unless i'm planning to have babies? ok...maybe i'm exaggerating but isn't this just weird. a country that legalizes prostitution illegalizes oral sex. and the whole "any form of sexual intercourse which does not have the potential for procreation" is a bit sketchy to me. having sex with a condom and birth control severely reduces the potential for procreation. ok...so maybe i'm getting ahead of myself...but seriously?

and the best part is....the maximum sentence on this is LIFE IN PRISON.

and just for your reading pleasure:

Prostitution is legal. Operating a brothel and soliciting in public are technically illegal, but officially tolerated in certain areas called designated red-light areas (DRAs). Working women have to carry a "yellow card" that proves that they are registered and have recently undergone their bi-weekly health check. Working conditions in the brothels are good: some even provide voluntary benefits to keep the prostitutes working there. Prostitutes don't work out of economic necessity (except the foreigners) since there's no poverty and nearly full employment in Singapore. Singapore's Court of Appeal ruled in 2/97 that consensual oral sex is a criminal offense unless it is part of foreplay leading to proper intercourse.

The age of consent: 16.

Finding prostitutes: There are 6 red-light districts with a total of about 400 brothels, each employing 10-20 registered prostitutes. I list the names with their price ranges: Geylang (S$50-S$120), Flanders Square (S$30), Keong Siak Street (S$15-S$30), Desker Road (S$10-S$12), Tanjong Pagar area (S$10-S$12). In addition, there are brothels outside of the DRAs (illegal), massage parlors offering full service (illegal), escort services (legal) and private call girls (legal).