TWO gay partners who failed in a recent bid to get the High Court to declare an anti-gay sex law unconstitutional, are planning to appeal the judgment.

Mr Gary Lim and Mr Kenneth Chee said in a statement on Thursday that they plan to file their notice of appeal within the next three weeks.

Their bid to declare Section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalises acts of gross indecency between men, as unconstitutional was dismissed by Justice Quentin Loh.

"We believe that gay men should not have to go to jail for being who they are," said the couple, who added that the existence of Section 377A has a dampening effect on society.

The couple has started a fundraising campaign to cover their court fees, and hope to raise US$50,000 in the next two months.

Another similar case, mounted by massage therapist Tan Eng Hong, is currently awaiting judgment by Justice Loh.