pinkdot.sg

Pink Dot is in Today!

2011-08-09T12:22:00.001+08:00

Read it here. Happy National Day, Singapore! We love you!

We're in Life!, The Straits Times today!

2011-06-23T10:57:00.004+08:00

Life! Straits Times

A different breed of sponsors

Clarissa Oon, 23 June 2011

Controversial groups here get funding support from companies Google and Man Investments

The Singapore branch of global Internet giant Google has lent its name to the annual Pink Dot gathering at Speaker's Corner.

Citing its commitment to diversity as an employer, Google Singapore approached the event, organised by the three-year-old pro-gay movement, and sponsored its concert at Hong Lim Park last Saturday.

Pink Dot organises a registered gathering at the park once a year and invites all Singaporeans who support the freedom to love regardless of sexual orientation.

The Google-Pink Dot tie-up comes after international fund manager Man Investments said it would underwrite an outspoken theatre festival produced by Wild Rice, which had its funding cut by the National Arts Council for disparaging the Government and doing counter- cultural plays.

Man is a high-profile arts sponsor which lends its name to the Man Booker Prize, a prestigious international literary award. Wild Rice's festival, which runs from Aug 3 to 21, will now be known as the Man Singapore Theatre Festival.

While both Google and Man say they are not out to make a political statement, arts and civil society insiders Life! spoke to see them as a new type of unconventional corporate sponsor which takes its cue from cosmopolitan young consumers and their 'causes' rather than an official government line.

Both companies decline to reveal the value of their sponsorship.

Google's head of policy for South-east Asia Ann Lavin says it supports Pink Dot's message as 'an equal opportunity employer' which 'does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, colour, religion, gender (or) sexual orientation'.

Mr Tim Peach, Man's executive director and head of sales for South-east Asia, says that when it signed on as sponsor for Wild Rice, it was not aware of the cut to its government funding. 'But from our point of view, it was immaterial,' he adds.

The theatre company has a history of producing irreverent political satire and gay-themed plays.

The deal with Man has saved its Singapore Theatre Festival, which was in danger of being canned after the previous title sponsor, OCBC Bank, pulled out and National Arts Council cut its annual grant for the second year in a row. OCBC continues to sponsor the rest of Wild Rice's season.

The theatre company got $110,000 this year from the council, down from $170,000 last year. The council said two years ago it would not fund projects 'which are incompatible with the core values promoted by the Government and society or disparage the Government'.

Mr Peach says Man was drawn to Wild Rice's popular festival, now in its third instalment, because it was 'sustainable' and 'not a flash in the pan'.

'We're not trying to make a political statement. We're an investment organisation which likes to sponsor the arts, and the arts can sometimes be controversial.'

He adds that Man 'doesn't mind being controversial' as it has built its business on 'challenging conventional wisdom of investment management'. He thinks the role of the arts is to 'illuminate', which can mean 'challenging conventional wisdom, and those watching can draw their own conclusions'.

Nominated Member of Parliament for the arts Audrey Wong says such unconventional tie-ups are the exception rather than the rule, as big-time sponsors still fight shy of controversy. But partnerships such as the one between Google and Pink Dot are 'inevitable because we're so open to the world now, particularly with the influx of foreign talent in our midst'.

Lasalle-SIA College of the Arts academic Venka Purushothaman thinks that for some global companies, corporate sponsorship is giving way to 'cause marketing umbrella-ed by corporate social responsibility'.

This is to reach a huge and borderless youth market, which is 'confident, connected, articulate and often clad with a newfound idealism about how they want to shape their environment'. Corporates take their cue from these consumers 'rather than the state today', he adds.

This is good news for independent- minded local arts groups who feel that they are 'held ransom by state funds', says sociologist Terence Chong of the Institute of South-east Asian Studies.

If such alternative sponsorship becomes a trend, the Singapore Government may have to rethink its current strategy of regulating the arts through funding.

'Because the state continues to be the biggest and most important arts funder, it still wields great influence over arts content. If arts groups can tap into global capital, then such a strategy may lose its relevance,' says Dr Chong.

clare@sph.com.sg

--------

'We're not trying to make a political statement. We're an investment organisation which likes to sponsor the arts, and the arts can sometimes be controversial'

Mr Tim Peach, Man's executive director and head of sales for South-east Asia

THANK YOU !

2011-06-19T12:29:00.005+08:00

We love Singapore!

Glad so many of you had a wonderful time yesterday. Here's our video highlighting some of the best moments from Pink Dot 2011. Thank you for making this happen. Thank you for standing up for a more open and loving Singapore. Till a bigger and better Pink Dot next year!

* We've gotten some feedback about the balloon-releasing that happened this year - thank you. We'll take extra care to remind everyone that balloons are not to be released during future Pink Dots.

Over 10,000 supporters of the Freedom to Love turn Hong Lim Park Pink, for Pink Dot 2011

2011-06-18T19:38:00.002+08:00

Singapore, June 18, 2011 – Over 10,000 pink-attired Singaporeans turned Hong Lim Park into a sea of pink, where they gathered – for the third year running - to form a giant pink dot in a show of support for inclusiveness, diversity and the freedom to love. This breaks Pink Dot 2010’s previous record for the largest public gathering ever seen at the Speakers’ Corner since its opening in 2000, and is more than twice the number of people who turned up last year.

This milestone event is organised by a group of local volunteers and aims to raise awareness and foster deeper understanding of the basic human need to love and be loved, regardless of one’s sexual orientation. Pink Dot 2011 aims to re-affirm the movement’s credo, Supporting the Freedom to Love, by encouraging Singaporeans to speak up for their LGBT friends and relatives. This peaceful event was attended by both straight and gay Singaporeans and permanent residents, many who came with their family members.

Pink Dot co-spokesperson Paerin Choa said: “There are few words that can fully describe what we are feeling right now. To have this many people celebrating this event with us is a truly humbling experience, and we are greatly touched by this show of solidarity and support from Singaporeans.

“One of Pink Dot’s primary aims is to engender an appreciation of Singapore’s diversity – regardless of race, language, religion, and sexual orientation, we are all Singaporeans. We have come some ways in encouraging inclusivity and acceptance of all segments of society, and we hope that more continue to join us in helping to fulfil this aim.”

In 2009, the inaugural Pink Dot, held at the same venue, saw 2,500 people in attendance. In 2010, this figure nearly doubled, to 4,000.

This event was the culmination of an intensive month-long outreach – a key highlight of which was Pink Dot’s official Campaign Video, directed by acclaimed local director Boo Junfeng. Tugging the heartstrings of viewers, it generated an astounding 200,000 hits in the four short weeks since it was first uploaded to YouTube.

Pink Dot Sg has also motivated similar movements overseas, with cities such as New York, London, Montreal, even as far away as Anchorage, Alaska, organising their own local editions of Pink Dot.

And finally, international giant Google Singapore has also thrown its considerable weight behind the Freedom to Love as a supporter, reflecting its own policies of equality and inclusivity.

The event began with a picnic with representatives from over a dozen community groups, including Pelangi Pride Centre, OogaChaga, Young Out Here and SinQSA, turning out in large numbers to mingle with the crowd. Subsequently, audiences were treated to the inaugural Pink Dot Concert, hosted by Pink Dot 2011 Ambassadors, the Dim Sum Dollies, comprising Selena Tan, Emma Yong and Pamela Oei. Performers included Sebastian Tan as Broadway Beng, Dave Tan from Electrico, Michaela Therese, Jill Marie Thomas, dance group Voguelicious and performer Rima S. The forming of Pink Dot took place at 6pm.

Pink Dot co-spokesperson, Rebecca Ling, said: “We are greatly heartened by this year’s turn-out, and it reaffirms our belief that we can make Singapore into a more loving home for all of us. Such immense support from over 10,000 people today is a clear and strong testament to the growing acceptance and awareness among Singaporeans of the LGBT community. Pink Dot 2011 was a milestone in many ways, and we look forward to setting even more milestones in years to come.”

See You Tomorrow!

2011-06-17T11:51:00.000+08:00

Pink Dot 2011 Song: I Want To Hold Your Hand

2011-06-15T18:54:00.006+08:00

At the pink dot formation every year, the crowd sings along to a song about love and friendship. This year, the Pink Dot song we've picked is I Want To Hold Your Hand by The Beatles. :) Hope you're ready and PINK-ed up for Saturday! See you!

Lyrics:

I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND

Yeah I´ll tell you something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
I wanna hold your hand (3x)

Oh, please, say to me
You'll let me be your man
and please, say to me
You'll let me hold your hand
Now let me hold your hand
I wanna hold your hand
And when I touch you i feel
happy, inside
It's such a feeling
That my love
I can't hide (3x)

Yeah you, got that something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
I wanna hold your hand (3x)

And when I touch you I feel
happy, inside
It's such a feeling
That my love
I can't hide (3x)

Yeah you, got that something
I think you'll understand
When I say that something
I wanna hold your hand (4x)

You asked, we answer: FAQ Part II

2011-06-14T16:51:00.009+08:00

Thanks for all of your emails, tweets and blog and Facebook comments. We're sorry we haven't been able to reply to every message, but please know that we're reading more than we're typing. FOUR days to go and work's been piling up! Anyway, here are responses to questions and concerns that seem to come up quite often... a sequel to our previous FAQ posting.

Q.	What if there's wet weather - and flooding?
A.	It’s going to be a rain or shine event. Love is weatherproof (or at least we believe this to be true). That said; if weather conditions get mighty bad, we may call for a slight delay, rearrange the event flow or cancel some segments of the programme. All of our volunteers have been working very hard for the past few months to put everything together and so you can be assured we’ll do our best to deliver a great day out at the park – even if it rains. Meantime, keep your ears peeled for update announcements at Hong Lim Park. Alternatively, check Facebook and Twitter (@PinkDotSG) for updates. We know many of you are gonna be fiddling with your mobile devices anyway ;)
Q.	I want to go but I have to work! What time will it end? What time will Pink Dot be formed?
A.	We want the event to run on time. Some of you would’ve made post-event plans next Saturday evening, and so Pink Dot 2011 will start at 5pm sharp and we aim to end by 6:45pm. If you can, we’d recommend coming at 4:00pm or earlier. We know from the past two Pink Dot events that all the “good” picnic / chill-out spots get ‘choped’ pretty quickly. We can’t say for sure what time at which we’ll form a large human Pink Dot because it all depends on lighting conditions this Saturday. Our aerial photographers will be making that call.
Q.	Are pets allowed?
A.	Yes of course, but keep them on leash, muzzle if necessary, and clean up after them. See National Parks' guidelines here.
Q.	What’s going to happen at the event?
A.	As with past years, there will be performances and lots of activities happening around the park – all 100% family-friendly – so bring your parents, siblings, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc along! Here are some videos to give you an idea of what you can expect. Things will be slightly different this year, of course. For one, we’ve planned a concert – supported by Google. We’re also shining the spotlight on community groups that support LGBT people in Singapore. So while you stroll around the park, do visit these groups to learn about the good work that they do.
Q.	Read on a blog/forum/Facebook/tweet that only Singapore citizens and permanent residents are allowed to participate? Is this true?
A.	We understand there’s been some miscommunication and misunderstanding on this issue, based on all that we’ve been reading and hearing online and offline. Though we’ve made several postings on this before, we can always strive to communicate more effectively, and we’d appreciate if you could help us clarify this with your foreign friends. There are some rules to the use of Speakers’ Corner, Hong Lim Park. You may read them here. These rules are meant to regulate the kinds of activities that can take place at the park, and also, on the activities' “participants”. They are governed by Singapore’s National Parks board. According to the park's terms and conditions, only Singaporeans and Permanent Residents may participate in a demonstration. While we do not consider Pink Dot to be a demonstration, the act of coming together to form a dot comes closest to being a "demonstration" as a category in the rules. Hence, non-Singaporeans and non-Permanent Residents cannot be within the dot formation when the time comes to form it. However, as Hong Lim Park is a public space, everyone can come for a picnic and enjoy the concert. The question is – what does “participate” mean? Hong Lim Park is a public space, accessible by all (locals and foreigners) as are most (if not all) of our public parks in Singapore. It is not reasonable for one visitor to a public park to screen another, demanding proof of citizenship status in the process. We’ve thus asked relevant authorities to clarify what they mean by “participation”, and we’ve been told (through verbal communications) to manage portions of our event that require people to act or respond on our instructions. We note that the only portion of our event that requires audience participation, so to speak, is where we request for people to join us in forming a large human Pink Dot. All other activities around the park do not require audiences to act on our instructions, and so, they are open to both locals and foreigners. Therefore, long story short: Foreigners are welcome to come for a picnic, enjoy the concert and soak in the atmosphere at Pink Dot 2011. However: *During the human Pink Dot formation, we’d like to request for our foreign friends to help us honour local laws, and to watch the formation from an observation area in the park.*
Q.	But it doesn't seem like foreigners were just "watching and observing" based on what I’ve seen from the YouTube videos and pictures last year?
A.	We've been doing our best every year to ensure that the event is family-friendly, safe, and law-abiding. This year, we're taking an extra effort to create an observation area for our foreign friends to watch the formation of a human Pink Dot. On a separate note, we'd like to remind everyone not to make local-versus-foreigner assumptions simply based on appearances. Some people have, for instance, cited the presence of “ang mohs” or Caucasians as examples of foreign “participation” at past events. Please bear in mind that citizenship transcends race, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. Pink Dot loves that Singapore is multicultural and diverse. Our supporters should be mindful of such superficial stereotypes – especially since it is through such attitudes that prejudice against LGBT people in our society perpetuate.
Q.	Can the organisers try to ask for allowance from the park so that foreigners are able to “participate” just for a few minutes? The “freedom to love” should be extended to foreigners living in Singapore too!
A.	That sounds like a great idea, but things are far more complex than that. Those of you who keep abreast of Singapore’s historical record of group assembly will perhaps understand the context in which we operate. For those who do not understand why human assembly is a touchy issue in Singapore, here are some readings that you might find insightful. 1. A Pink Dot in a Sea of Rights Abuses 2. Chee Soon Juan, Freedom of Assembly and Pink Dot In addition, please understand that Pink Dot sees its contribution to Singapore as that of building public awareness on LGBT issues, so as to improve the lives of LGBT people in Singapore. Championing the freedom of assembly is not our immediate priority – though we agree it's a pretty important issue for Singapore as a whole.
Q.	Why can’t Pink Dot be held in some other place or park that doesn’t discriminate against foreigners?
A.	Unfortunately, Speakers Corner is the only space in Singapore that allows for the organisation of such events. Read the links provided in the previous question for more information.
Q.	I want to support this but my parents won't allow me to go.
A.	That’s too bad, but don’t give up. We say talk to your parents. They probably worry because they don’t have enough information to feel assured about your presence at the event. Do let them know that the event is 100% family-friendly. Better yet, ask them to come along as “chaperones” so that they can see for themselves what Pink Dot stands for.
Q.	I really want a Pink Dot plushie!!
A.	The plushies that you’ve seen around town or online are handmade by our dedicated volunteers. Unfortunately, we’ve only made a few of these plushies for the purpose of marketing and promoting Pink Dot 2011. We haven’t made enough of them to give away /sell just yet. However, given that we’ve been getting so many requests for the plushies, we’ll look into manufacturing and distributing them in the future. If anyone knows of a reliable and environment-friendly manufacturer, please get in touch!
Q.	I want to organise Pink Dot in my own country. Can the organisers help?
A.	It's quite an honour that people outside of Singapore are looking to contribute to what is, quintessentially, a Singapore grassroots movement. We haven't got the resources to provide much help right now, but do write in with your proposal and we'll get back to you (as soon as we can – after our 18 June 2011 event).
Q.	I love Pink Dot. Where can I buy Pink Dot souvenirs and mementos?
A.	Our souvenirs aren't for sale. They can only be obtained (freely!) at Pink Dot 2011, 18 June 2011. While stocks last – so come early.
Q.	Can I be a performer at Pink Dot 2011?
A.	We've got a rather tight line-up this Saturday and so we regret that we cannot add more performers at this point. Some have asked what it is that we look for. For us, Pink Dot events aim to be entertaining, educational and family-oriented. Several factors are considered when assessing performance requests, including: (1) resources; (2) coherence to the event's style and theme; (3) representation and diversity; (4) popular tastes and/or artistic merit; and (5) expert opinion. There have been more performance requests this year than we had anticipated – many of which were well-written, sincere and heartening. While we would've liked to respond to each request individually, we haven't been able to do so, and we apologise if you haven't heard back from us. Please know that your requests are kept on file and will again be reviewed for future Pink Dot campaigns.
Q.	Is Nicole Seah really going to be at Pink Dot 2011?
A.	Lol. We don’t know! But we love what she wrote about s377A on her Facebook page and we do hope she’ll come and lend her support! Ditto for any other Singapore political figure / leader. But if you really want to know if she’s going to be there, best way to find out is to come see for yourself!

Pledge Your Love For Pink Dot!

2011-06-14T11:31:00.001+08:00

Simply copy and paste these codes into your own blog or website to show your support for Pink Dot and the freedom to love.

Pink Profiles: IndigNation

2011-06-14T10:16:00.000+08:00

INDIGNATION

Who they are:
The Singapore Pride Season, the annual LGBT festival of Singapore
What they do:
To establish an annual platform for LGBT expression in forms of art, music, texts, films, talks and other forms discovered hereafter.

How to get in touch:
• Website : www.indignationsg.wordpress.com
• Email: pluadmin@gmail.com

[Snapshot]
IndigNation, the Singapore Pride Season, turns 7 this year. A social and artistic event, it engages with the mainstream public and raises awareness about LGBT culture in everyday life.

[Q&A]

Pink Dot speaks to the current programming director, Jun Zubillaga-Pow, and finds out more about his aspirations for the festival.

How did the idea for IndigNation come about?

The Pride season was their reaction to the ban of the Nation parties organised by Fridae, which have had a strong following in the early 2000s. In 2005, IndigNation was inaugurated at The Substation before moving to The Arts House and 72-13 Md Sultan Rd in the last couple of years. There were then lots of talks and discussions, bringing people from all walks of life into a common space for a common cause.

After the 377A parliamentary debates in 2007, the festival took a different turn towards erecting a platform for LGBT expression. We had a month-long season in 2009, filled with music, films, poetry recitals, art exhibition, a nature walk and picnic as well as a series of talks on gay history, religion, media, youth, and transgender issues.

Has the event had any resistance from the authorities?

I don't think perceiving the government's reaction as 'resistance' is helpful to the situation here in Singapore. The reception of LGBT-identified people continues to vary from person to person. The role of the authorities is to take care of her people, which should also include LGBT interests. However, there remains a lack of education even within the civil service on the commonality of LGBT people in everyday Singapore.

What can we look forward to in this year's IndigNation?

The theme of this year's Pride Season is 'Proud to be...' and I hope to inspect the very moment LGBT people turn their lives inside out and become who they really are. As the main festival highlight, I have curated three evenings of silent films, all bearing the narrative of transformation. We have deposited these films with the Board of Film Censors and hoping that they will grant Singaporeans, gay and non-gay, the chance to catch these classics. One of them will be scored by our local whiz-kid Chong Li-Chuan specially for IndigNation. Kudos to his earnest contribution despite his busy schedule and family life!

In addition to this year's featured filmmaker Lincoln Chia, several artists will be showing their artworks at an art exhibition curated by rainbowartsproject at the Dahlia Gallery. There will also be the song and prose evening, ContraDiction, which is definitely going to be filled to the brim again this year. Not forgetting the unoffical Pink Picnic on National Day, the hyper-young SgRainbow will host a discussion on how youths can steer their own future for themselves.

What do you hope IndigNation will grow into?

There are two groups of people who IndigNation would like to reach out to, and these are the Chinese-speaking and reading communities of both the young and senior generations as well as the international LGBT conglomerate. We are also looking to introduce foreign acts, in the form of speakers or films, into the festival and hope to establish more diplomatic relations and established a full-fledge Singapore Queer Film Festival in the near future.

We are also intending to bring the festival to the heartlanders and ascending support from the CDCs or other forms of corporate or governmental aid would buttress substantial growth for this grassroot initiative. We have catered to the hearing-impaired and the physically-disabled in the past, and will present the visually-impaired to our audiences this year. Our aim remains to inculcate the values of acceptance and inclusivity within the greater Singaporean communities.

What are you wearing to Pink Dot?

Definitely something comfy and sexy: Slot Devil pink singlet (Fridae.com), Toot pink broadshorts (SportsmanAsia.com) and a pair of Diesel pink trunks!

Pink Profiles: Young Out Here

2011-06-14T09:19:00.003+08:00

Who They Are:

Young Out Here aka YOH is a queer youth community group started back in 2006 by Elsa Tay, Jeremy Kwok and Benjamin Xue. It caters to queer youths between the ages of 16 to 22 and hopes to help queer youths build ties with the larger queer community.

What They Do:

YOH provides a safe and inclusive space which enables the youth to talk about queer youth specific topics and issues. The Support Group programme is composed of 13 sessions, focusing on topics like Coming Out, Family, School, Safer Sex, Relationships & Self.

How To Get In Touch:
Sign up for the YOH Support Group at young-out-here.blogspot.com. If you are interested to be a volunteer, send an email to young.out.here@gmail.com. You can also check out the group on Twitter: twitter.com/young_out_here and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/youngouthere

[Snapshot]

Noticing the lack of queer youth initiative in Singapore, founders Elsa, Jeremy and Ben thought of creating YOH in 2006. Ben shares, “We realized that if there was a place where we could talk about issues that were relevant for to us, we would have gotten the support and encouragement needed when we were growing up here.”

Previously, the group has also partnered with Oogachaga to organize three events - Labels to Love, Outrace, and Ties that Bind (a workshop on coming out to the family).

[Q&A]

We sit down for a chat with Benjamin Xue, one of the moving forces behind Youth Out Here. Ben talks to us about how he believes a simple mantra -For Queer Youths, By Queer Youths - has paved the way for the group to provide a safe and inclusive space for the queer youth community to come out, speak up and have a voice of their own.

Is it easier for the younger generation to come out compared to a decade ago?

Considering I'm the 'oldest' in YOH, I can certainly say yes. They very much have the support and resources to turn to when they come out today - from Pelangi Pride Center to Oogachaga to YOH to Sayoni to online platforms like Trevvy and Fridae. Youths don't have to feel that they are alone should they choose to come out.

What are the issues that today's LGBTQ youth face today?

Lately, we've been hearing quite a fair bit of name calling and bullying that is going unreported in schools during our Support Group sessions. Making schools safe for queer youths is still pretty much unheard of, but there are strides in that some queer teachers in some schools have taken it upon themselves to make sure that these youths are safe and, hopefully the bullying stops and ends.

What are you going to wear to Pink Dot?

Pink of course! We had YOH tee shirts made for the event, and we're very busy planning our booth for the event. Do come down to PinkDot to talk to us! And most of all to enjoy and bask in the sea of Pink!

Lastly, If there's one message SG LGBTQ youths should know, what is it?

I'm going to give three. Never lose sight of who you are inside. Feel free to feel everything you want to. Be happy doing what you are most passionate about!

Pink Profiles: SiNQSA (Singapore Queer-Straight Alliance)

2011-06-13T15:47:00.006+08:00

SINQSA (Singapore Queer-Straight Alliance)

Who They Are: A group that fosters understanding and support between the straight and queer communities that was set up in May 2008 by Sam Ho, Jean Chong and Jennifer Teo.

What They Do: Provide a space and network for like-minded and LGBT-supportive people to share their views.

How To Get In Touch: SinQSA Facebook

[Snapshot]

The Singapore Queer-Straight Alliance (SinQSA) is a forum to express support for equality regardless of sexual and gender orientation. Conversations happen a lot online, through their facebook page, where members freely share their thoughts on queer-straight unity and harmony with like-minded folks.

[Q&A]
We catch up with Sam Ho after his trip back from abroad to share more about SinQSA!

What inspired the creation of SinQSA?

The idea of a gay-straight alliance was shared during an informal meet-up at Food #03 in May 2008, commemorating IDAHO (the International Day Against Homophobia).

Shortly after that, Jean Chong, Jennifer Teo and I got together and started The Singapore Queer-Straight Alliance (SinQSA), which uses the “queer” instead of “gay” because the former encompasses a wider spectrum of gender and sexual identities.

What do you hope to achieve from the creation of SinQSA?

SinQSA hope to serve as a platform for LGBT-affirming persons to share or express their support for equality regardless of difference. It is the aspiration that every individual in Singapore can see that there isn’t a big deal about being friends or respecting another person who is of a different orientation or persuasion than them – that constitutes an alliance for us.

As with traditional gay-straight or queer-straight alliances, I do my best to capture the spirit of SinQSA and stand up against homophobic or transphobic abuse, and also stand up for gay-affirming straight persons. I see SinQSA more of an idea or a pledge, rather than a group at the moment.

In your opinion, do you feel that queer-straight harmony has improved?

In isolation, yes it has improved. I believe there is an increase in number of Singaporeans who are gay-affirming. At the same time, I also think there is an increase of Singaporeans who are anti-gay and continue to be either consciously or frivolously homophobic. We are pretty polarised. It is up to individuals and groups who support queer-straight friendship and harmony to start asking questions to the wider population, such as “what have you done today for harmony and equality?”

How do you hope to encourage Singaporeans to adopt queer-straight harmony?

I used to be very angry with homophobic people, but with SinQSA and the people I have met, I have learned it is more important to create dialogue and let homophobic individuals see the implications of their words and attitude. If we put them down for what they say or believe, I guess we are only as bad as they are, no?

If people are spending so much time and effort just to create poles and camps and to draw boundaries and territories, I think some amount of time and energy can be devoted to bridging the gaps that exist in between. One baby step towards an ideal or an aspiration is better than just thinking about the ideal or making the aspiration.

What will you be wearing to Pink Dot this year?

I haven’t been to the last couple of Pink Dots, so I am deciding between a plain pink t-shirt or a red shirt that reads “I’m think he’s gay” with an arrow pointing to the left.

The Pink Dot 2011 Concert - supported by Google

2011-06-12T14:38:00.001+08:00

Pink Profiles: SGRainbow

2011-06-12T06:01:00.007+08:00

Who they are:

A youth group that develops and organises social activities for young gay and bisexual men.

What they do:

Social events to raise awareness of the existence of young MSM and to promote their growth as individuals. Their tagline of "Self.Growth.Realise" is advocated and adhered to in all of their programs.

When was it set up:

June 2008

How to get in touch:

Website : sgrainbow.blogspot.com

Email: sgrainbow@gmail.com

[Snapshot]

SGRainbow is a non-profit independent activities-based social group for young gay and bisexual males aged 18 to 25. Its mission is to provide a platform - through social settings and activities - for gay and bisexual youths to grow as individuals and to help raise awareness of the existence of gay youths and the relevant issues affecting gay youths. SGRainbow also actively highlights HIV/AIDS awareness with young MSM (men who have sex with men).

We sat down with Thu Yain (left) and Md Hafiz (right), senior executives for SGRainbow, for a chat

What motivated your involvement with SGRainbow?

Hafiz (H): I was one of the contributors to the online blog 'the rainbow lifestyle' which then shifted into SGRainbow. I felt there was a lack of information for Singaporean gay youth that could help them with their growing up processes. Granted, there was a ton of information on the internet catered to the gay and bisexual youth in western nations like America, but it provides little help to the Asian and especially Singaporean gay youth due to our different cultures and upbringing. That's why I feel there is a need for a platform like SGRainbow and I'm happy to be contributing to its purpose.

How does a group like SGRainbow help gay youths?

Thu Yain (T): Our main event, the Ambassador Hunt, is a social event we organize every year to get gay youths to accept themselves and be empowered in the process. During our first year of being organizers, we witnessed first-hand the transformation of typical teenage guys who go clubbing and shopping into mature, self-assured youths with the desire to be advocates of gay youth issues. The end result took us by surprise. We believe gay and bisexual youths are not apathetic to LGBT discrimination and HIV/AIDS issues, they just need awareness and a platform to voice their concerns.

H: Our other initiative, Check-In, is like an orientation around Singapore for gay and bisexual youths who are just coming to terms with their sexuality and are not aware of the various gay-friendly locations and screening centers in the country. Pink Dot is one of the locations that we're going to introduce during Check-In!

What do you envision next for SGRainbow?

T: We hope to organize a bigger and better Ambassador Hunt next year. With the number of our sponsors steadily increasing every year due to our group's growing credibility, we think it can be a possibility.

What are you wearing and/or bringing to Pink Dot?

H: We are bringing our very own pink mascot, printed on our t-shirts.

T: And a hidden weapon. I can't tell you what it is, you'll have to find out yourself on June 18th!

Pink Profiles: Sayoni

2011-06-11T16:00:00.006+08:00

We talk to the everyday heroes who make Singapore a better place person by person, day after day. These LGBT support groups will also have a booth (or a picnic mat) at Pink Dot 2011, so come by and say hi!

Who They Are: Founded by six women in 2006, Sayoni is a volunteer-run social organisation for women in Singapore. Currently, they have about 50 to 70 volunteers.

What They Do: They organise public forums, educational talks, dinners, parties, focus groups, advocacy projects, sporting activities, yearly self-development camps overseas for queer women, dialogue sessions, newbie gatherings, training workshops and more.

How To Get In Touch: Website www.sayoni.com

[Snapshot]
A volunteer-run women's group in Singapore, Sayoni regularly organises events like forums, talks, focus groups, newbie gathering and dinners for queer women in Singapore. They recently released a Coming Out guide, "What If I'm Gay?" and gather data on the queer survey in their biennial Sayoni survey.

[Q&A]

We catch up with Sayoni leader Jean Chong:

Why do you think it's important to have an organisation like Sayoni?

I think there is a dearth of women leaders and representation in society, particularly in the area of LGBT rights. This stemmed from a wider need for empowering communities for women and LGBT people. Thus, Sayoni was formed to fulfil this need.

What Sayoni product are you most proud of?

Our contributions to the UPR (Universal Periodic Report) and CEDAW (Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women) from the United Nations. The Coming Out Guide 'What if I'm gay?', our biennial survey to collect data on queer women in Singapore and our yearly self-development camps. Most importantly we're very proud of our volunteers and the dedication they put in to make things happen.

What do you hope Sayoni will grow into?

Within Sayoni we have this shared philosophy that if the day comes when a group like Sayoni is no longer necessary, it'll also be a day when we can all rejoice and just concentrate on the art of doing nothing. I mean to say that it's not about what we want to grow into, it's more of a journey and destination with each other down the road less travelled. At the end of the day, it's not the group that matters. It's the people that we care about.

For now, in order to reach that goal of being unnecessary, I hope Sayoni will grow in maturity and strength to effect change for the community.

What are you wearing to Pink Dot?

Anything pink i can find!

Pink Dot Decals to giveaway!

2011-06-11T15:49:00.010+08:00

Free Pink Dot decals to giveaway! Put them up on your cars and shop windows and spread the love for Pink Dot 2011!

Pick them up at any of the following locations. Limited stocks available, so hurry!

Very Woonderland
Ion Orchard #B3-12
2 Orchard Turn, S238801

Actually
29A Seah Street, S188385
opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm - 9pm | Sun 12pm - 7pm

Qafe
21 Tanjong Pagar Road, #01-01 S088444
opening hours:
Tue-Wed 5pm - 11pm | Thu-Sat 5pm - 3am
Sun 1pm - 10pm | Closed on Mondays

The Garden Slug
55 Lorong L Telok Kurau, #01-59/61 Bright Centre, S425500
opening hours:
Mon-Tue 6pm - 10pm | Wed-Thu 10am - 10pm | Fri - Sun 9am - 10pm

Food #03 @ Post-Museum
109 Rowell Road, S208033
opening hours:
Tue–Thu 5pm – 10pm | Fri 3pm– 11pm
Sat–Sun 12noon – 11pm | Closed on Mondays

Pink Dot 2011 – now supported by Google Singapore!

2011-06-09T10:25:00.002+08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SINGAPORE, 08 June 2011 – Pink Dot SG today announced Google Singapore is supporting Pink Dot 2011 on 18 June 2011. On this day, Singaporeans will, for the third year running, gather at Hong Lim Park to form a human pink dot in support of the belief that everyone deserves the freedom to love.

Pink Dot 2011 marks the first time that such an international company has publicly supported Pink Dot and its values. Google Singapore has pledged sponsorship to the event, highlights of which will include a concert with comedic trio Dim Sum Dollies, Broadway Beng Sebastian Tan, Jill Marie Thomas and dance group Voguelicious.

“We are heartened and very humbled that international players such as Google Singapore are making a clear stand on embracing diversity through their support of Pink Dot 2011. Many in Singapore's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community feel they are unable to be open about their sexuality for fear of discrimination and prejudice. Google Singapore’s support of Pink Dot 2011 and its inclusive values is an important step in promoting a non-discriminatory environment and improving the lives of the Singapore’s LGBT community”, says Pink Dot spokesperson Rebecca Ling.

Organised by a pool of Singaporean volunteers, Pink Dot campaigns for diversity, inclusiveness, and aims to foster understanding for the basic human need to love and be loved, regardless of one’s sexual orientation.

Google Singapore’s support of Pink Dot 2011 follows prior contributions by Asia's largest gay and lesbian network, Fridae.com, which provided funds as well as donated manpower to support the events’ branding, website and other related components, since Pink Dot's inception in 2009.

Supporting events like Pink Dot 2011 are reflective of the Google Singapore's efforts to create a workplace that embraces diversity and offers equal treatment of all staff, regardless of race, religion and sexual orientation. Google's LGBT staff, known as Gayglers, regularly organise events and talks to promote awareness and discussion of LGBT issues within the company.

“As a company, we are passionate about diversity and inclusivity at the workplace regardless of race, religion and sexual orientation. Supporting Pink Dot 2011 demonstrates our commitment to these inclusive values. We are proud to be the first international company to officially support Pink Dot 2011 and hope that more will publicly support the development of an open, diverse and inclusive work environment”, said Ann Lavin, Google Southeast Asia’s Head of Policy & Government Affairs.

Pink Profiles: Women's Nite

2011-06-08T18:30:00.007+08:00

Who They Are: A monthly gathering of lesbian and bisexual women every month. It was founded in 2003 by Charmaine Tan and Eileena Lee.

What They Do: Discussions and talks about anything related to the lives of gay women.

How To Get In Touch:
http://women-snite.livejournal.com/;

Email: women.snite@gmail.com

[Snapshot]
Women's Nite is a monthly gathering of lesbian and bisexual women in Singapore. Their events offer a safe space to talk about relationships, love, sexuality in a safe, neutral and alcohol-free environment. Previous topics included: "Rent, buy or with the folks?", "Out Or Not" and "Reaching Out".

[Q&A]

We catch up with some of the volunteers behind Women's Nite Gea Swee Jean, Sylvia Tan, Tan Hui Yee, Joey Kang.

Why do you think Women's Nite is important?

SJ: I really believe in Women's Nite because of all the lesbian-related communities in Singapore, we happen face-to-face. We don't have a strong online component, but we believe that we're getting people to take the next step to be more open.

HY: The whole idea behind Women's Nite is to break away from the kind of interactions you have in clubs. For people just coming out, it can be very intimidating walking into a pub to make friends. At Women's Nite we focus a lot on networking and making platonic friendships.

Baring your soul to a bunch of strangers sounds scary. Are people game for it?

SJ: it's a safe space and we have a disclaimer that whatever we talk about is confidential. It's casual, we usually do it potluck-style in someone's living room. We are a very beginner-friendly environment.

HY: We take efforts to make you feel comfortable and ensure that information is kept confidential. We try to make sure (well, as much as we can) that the people who come are not weirdos. We also keep an eye out for people who are a bit unsure or who are here for the first time.

Any plans to grow Women's Nite?

HY: Personally, I think it would be good for people to feel empowered enough to form their own support groups. Every woman who leaves Women's Nite, after they have found their own support groups, I hope they will offer the kind of help that others gave to them before.

What are you wearing to Pink Dot?

PINK!

Pink Profiles: Rainbower

2011-06-07T10:33:00.014+08:00

We talk to the everyday heroes who make Singapore a better place person by person, day after day. These LGBT support groups will also have a booth (or a picnic mat) at Pink Dot 2011, so come by and say hi!

Who they are:
A community for gay men to interact and have fun through social activities while building healthy and lasting friendships.

What they do:
Leisure activities are organised almost every month where members can interact and have fun.

When was it set up:19 August 2006
How to get in touch:

• Website : rainbower.sg
• Email: rainbower.sg@gmail.com

[Snapshot]

Rainbower is a friendly community for gay men to interact and build lasting and healthy friendships with each other. Fun-filled leisure and social activities are usually organised once a month at various locations for members to share the going-ons in their lives and to relax. Their gatherings culminate into their annual Star Awards party, where members celebrate all the gatherings that were organised during the past year. The community has been steadily growing since 2006 as friends pull in their other friends to join in the fun and games.

[Q&A]

We catch up with Andrew Chan (on the extreme left in the picture above), coordinator for Rainbower.

What was your motivational push to set up Rainbower?

The first factor: the people who attended our activities had lots of fun! Looking at the friendships being forged and seeing the smiles on their faces as they felt a sense of belonging to the group was the next and most meaningful factor that spurred me on.

What actually goes on during a Rainbower event?

Our gatherings are leisure events like barbecues and dinners, but we do have outdoor activities like beach sports and nature walks where members can stay healthy and active. We organise these activities so that members can come together and share their life issues with fellow members.

How are your members like?

Our members mostly consist of a group of professionals over 30 years old. We currently have about 30 to 40 members right now but that number is steadily growing. We are a fun-loving group of people, comfortable with our sexuality though many are not completely out to family, work or public.

How do new members get to know of Rainbower?

It is usually through word of mouth and through friends who pull their friends to join in that we reach out to new members.

What are you wearing to Pink Dot?

I am thinking of putting on something pink and with feathers, but it's not confirmed yet! It pretty much depends on my mood and what makes me feel good then. Any suggestions? Less is more and I'm definitely going to remember to protect the environment. :)

Pink Profiles: Queer Book Club

2011-06-06T12:31:00.010+08:00

We talk to the everyday heroes who make Singapore a better place person by person, day after day. These LGBT support groups will also have a booth (or a picnic mat) at Pink Dot 2011, so come by and say hi!

QUEER BOOK CLUB

Who they are:

The Queer Book Club was founded in 2008 by Zhuang Yisa, Isaac Kang and Aaron Ho. The idea was born after they attended an Indignation night hike and talked about books. Two months later, the Queer Book Club page on Facebook was set up.

What they do:

The group meets up every 3rd Thursday of the month to discuss a book. Aaron says, "We’d do a gay novel in the first month; a lesbian text in the second; and queer in the third. By queer, we mean any books to do with sexuality, including novels on transsexuals, transgenders, transvestites, bisexuals, and intersex.”

How to get in touch:

Check them out on Facebook, or follow the blog "http://queerbookclub.wordpress.com/"

And the best way? Show up at the monthly meeting.

[Snapshot]

The Queer Book Club is a monthly book club (every 3rd Thursday of the month) for everyone in Singapore. The group focuses on queer literature, rotating between three categories: gay; lesbian; and transsexual/ transgender/ bisexual/ intersexual/ queer novels. The book club is an all-inclusive, non-discriminatory group. Everyone, regardless of sexuality, age, gender, sex and race, is welcome.

[Q&A]

We talk to Aaron Ho, one of the founders of the Queer Book Club. He shares with us how a group of book lovers seek to create an all-inclusive, non-discriminatory group by turning to the pages. The group proves that the pen is indeed (at times) mightier than the sword.

Why did you form the Queer Boo Club?

In Azar Nafisi’s Reading Lolita in Tehran, she formed a book club with seven of her best female students under a repressive and patriarchal regime. Although the students were apprehensive at first, through reading banned, illegal Western novels, the women came to question their social, cultural and political environment.

Of course, all the books we’ve done can be found in the Singapore National Library, so none of them is illegal. But our goal is similar to Reading Lolita in the sense that we want to think critically of our lives because, as Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” We want to live. And books often act as mirrors for us to reflect our lives and the society we live in.

In your opinion, how does the Singapore public now view the LGBT community?

By and large, Singaporeans are more accepting of gay people these days. I’ve seen men holding hands and lesbians kissing on a MRT train. No one has STOMP-ed them yet.

How do you think events/groups like Pink Dot help LGBTs living in Singapore?

Any visibility about LGBTs is a good thing. On a personal note, a straight friend is organising our group of common friends to go to Pink Dot and she asked me to go! It is quite heartening to know that straight people support the event.

What's your favourite LGBT book?

I finished reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula, written in 1897, in a night and the novel got me in a feverish existence for days. Come on, it’s about five men hunting down a virile man, desiring to stake him! Even hotter than Twilight, which is about two pathetic men using a girl as a smokescreen for their homoerotic fantasies.

What book would you recommend to:

a. a teenage who is still in the closet

Brent Hartinger’s Geography Club. A few gay students set up “Geography Club” as a cover story to discuss issues on their sexuality. The Young Adult novel is realistic and, at times, painful. I think the message of the book is that while it may be traumatic to come to terms with oneself and takes a lot of courage, the other alternative, of always repressing oneself, is worse.

b. a straight guy/girl who just found out his/her best friend is gay

It depends on whether the straight person is accepting of gay people in general. If the straight person already has a prejudice (and I’ve friends like that), nothing you do or say can change that person’s mind. I’ve tried for 10 years and my friend is still homophobic.

If the straight person is uncertain, Alex Sanchez’s Getting It is a good choice because it tells a story from a straight boy’s perspective, of how he comes to understand gay people, and in the process, he becomes honest to himself.

If the straight friend is already accepting and wants to know about the psychology of gay people, then there are too many novels out there. My favorite writers include Sarah Waters, Ali Smith, Paul Monette, and Michael Cunningham and Andrew Holleran. You’ll notice that transgender books are missing in my recommendation because there ought to be more books about the subject.

What are you going to wear to Pink Dot?

As Jason Mraz sings, “geek in pink”!

Pink Profiles: Pelangi Pride Centre

2011-06-02T16:29:00.010+08:00

Who they are: A resource centre and library for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and curious individuals.

What they do: Their library has about 1,000 non-fiction and fiction titles, and they regularly hold book launches, talks and workshops.

When was it set up: 2003 by Charmaine Tan, Eileena Lee and Dinesh Naidu.

How to get in touch:

Website http://www.pelangipridecentre.org/; Facebook; Email pelangipridecentre@yahoo.com

Address: Free Community Church, 56 Lor Geylang #03-00 Century Technology Building, S 388391 (Open Sat 2-6pm)

[Snapshot]

A free library resource stocked with LGBT-related fiction and non-fiction titles, the Pelangi Pride Centre is run by about 20 volunteers. Currently, they're housed at Free Community Church in Geylang. It's open every Saturday from 2 to 6 pm.

PPC managing team: Eileena Lee, Lai Nam Khim and Charmaine Tan

[Q&A]

What are some of the favourite book titles in the PPC library?

We have quite a few “hot” favourites in the library. These include Johann S. Lee’s Peculiar Chris, Pat Califia’s Stone Butch Blues, Betty Berzon’s Permanent Partners, the list goes on! There are “seasons” for when these books become “hot”. For instance, during university vacations, a lot more people come and borrow books on relationships.

Do you think our NLB selection of books caters to the LGBT community?

At present, we don’t think so, and that’s one of the reasons why we continue to operate the library, although it is incredibly painstaking and labourious work (especially for us non-librarians!!!) We think it would be hard to come by a place in Singapore, apart from PPC, where people have access to so many LGBTQ-related titles, all in one place.

Where do you get your books from?

The majority of our books are personal donations from the LGBTQ community! We also have received cash donations which we used to stock popular titles for the library.

Why did you get involved?

Many of us didn’t have access to information and resources when we were coming to terms with our sexual orientation. We know that this journey can be a time of great questioning and loneliness, especially if you become convinced in the process that there’s no one else “out there” who understands what you are going through. A space like PPC allows people to access information, at their own time in a non-threatening space.

What are you wearing to Pink Dot?

We haven’t decided yet but we have a sneaking suspicion it might be something pink.

Pink Profile: Oogachaga

2011-05-29T17:59:00.007+08:00

It's not easy being gay in Singapore, but there is a whole bunch of people working towards making this country a more open-minded and harmonious home for all Singaporeans. This is the first in a series of profiles of local LGBT organisations. We talk to the everyday heroes who make Singapore a better place person by person, day after day. These groups will also have a booth (or a picnic mat) at Pink Dot 2011, so come by and say hi!

OOGACHAGA

Who they are: A counselling and social service group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and curious individuals.

What they do: Counselling services and support group events, which are run by a pool of volunteers and volunteer counsellors. They have 60 volunteers, 12 who are counsellors and 4 full-time staff.

When was it set up: 1999 by Jason Wee, Steve Wong and Kenneth Lau.

How to get in touch:

Website: www.oogachaga.com

Facebook

Email: contact@oogachaga.com

[Snapshot]

Singapore's only LGBT organisation that offers counselling services as well as over the phone and email, Oogachaga is also known for its support groups that hold weekly activities, such as the Mature Men Project. They have launched an annual guide What's Out There, a resource list for lesbian, gay, transgendered, bisexual and curious people in Singapore.

[Q&A]

Pink Dot chats with Oogachaga centre manager Bryan Choong, 34, on why he gave up his cushy career as an airforce specialist to go into social service.

When did you first get involved with Oogachaga?

Since I was 24, I've always been involved in community service as a volunteer. But nothing beats being able to make a change within your own community. I first got involved in Oogachaga in 2005 when I joined their support group sessions, then was roped in as a volunteer, and helped out ever since. In June 2009, joined Oogachaga as a full-time staff.

Why do you think support services are important?

Our team of 12 counsellors held about 230 counselling sessions last year with 80 clients. Our hotline, which is open on Tues to Thurs and Saturdays, held 400 chats. Demand is strong. Our rates are competitive as well, about $40 per session and $60 per couple per session.

I think that Oogachaga offers a space for people who don't like to club but like being social. Our events are about building friendships in a non-clubbing scene and in a non-sexual environment.

A lot of what we talk about are issues close to ourselves, e.g. coming out to family, friends, sexual health and the community.

What's in the future of Oogachaga?

Our aim is to be recognised as a leading social service agency that is catered for the LGBT community, as well as a training institute for people to learn about sexuality. We also want to reach out to more Singaporeans as well as to talk to social service centres and engage them in dealing with LGBT issues.

Is it hard getting the cooperation of social service centres?

Not at all. A lot of this is based on fear. The people we work with from social service centres are not homophobic, it's a misconception. Last year, we spoke to more than 50 social service professionals in Singapore.

What are you wearing to Pink Dot this year?

Pink! I'll also be wearing an Oogachaga signboard so you can recognise us easily.

A Letter To Our Foreign Friends

2011-05-22T11:10:00.003+08:00

Pink Dot has an important message to our friends and supporters from around the world. If you're a foreigner planning to attend Pink Dot, please note that only Singapore citizens and Singapore permanent residents are allowed to participate in the formation of Pink Dot.

Pink Dot stresses that this rule is mandated by the authorities governing Hong Lim Park (Speaker's Corner), where the event will be held, and not by the organisers of Pink Dot.

Pink Dot welcomes everybody, regardless whether you are straight or gay. However, Pink Dot also recognises the importance of playing by the rules and seeks the kind cooperation of our non-Singaporean/PR friends and supporters. You are welcome to join in the festivities! During the formation of the dot, a special area will be set aside for non-Singaporeans/PRs to watch and observe. Pink Dot appreciates all the love coming in from around the world - it is something words cannot describe.

Let's all celebrate the spirit of Pink Dot in spreading the message of Supporting the Freedom to Love across the world!

FAQ: THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PINK DOT

2011-05-18T21:02:00.008+08:00

Q: What is Pink Dot?
A: Pink Dot is the name of the organising group. It references the term, Red Dot, which is often used to describe Singapore. Pink, instead of red, because it is the colour often associated with LGBT (think: pink dollar and pink feather boas) but more importantly, it is the colour of our national identity cards and it is what you get when you mix the colours of our national flag.

Q: Is this event legit or legal?
A: Yes, of course! We have registered for the event and we shall strive to conduct ourselves appropriately, as set out in National Parks’ terms and conditions.

Q: Are foreigners allowed to attend?
A: According to the park's terms and conditions, only Singaporeans and Permanent Residents may participate at events held at Hong Lim Park. However, foreigners are most welcome to watch and observe.

Q: Is this a gay event?
A: As gay as any event can get at Hong Lim Park. The gathering is a show of support for those who believe in openness and love between people, regardless of their sexual orientation. Anyone can attend – straight and gay.

Q: Is this event suitable for children?
A: This event is open to all ages. Children understand love, don’t they?

Q: What is expected of me at the event?
A: Just show up, mingle, have fun and smile for our cameras - an aerial photograph has been planned to commemorate this symbolic event. Bring water, food, family and friends. No littering, please.

Q: Is this event a protest?

A: It is NOT a protest. It is a congregation of people who believe that everyone deserves a right to love, regardless of their sexual orientation. Fear and bigotry can get in the way of love – between friends, family and other loved ones – so this is an event for everyone who believes that LGBT individuals are equally deserving of strong relationships with our family and friends.

Q: Do I really have to come dressed in pink?

A: You don’t have to, but if you’re going to come down to show your support, you might as well go all the way!

Q: But I am straight. Why should I go?
A: Many LGBT Singaporeans around you are not easy to identify. They may be amongst your sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, colleagues and bosses, teachers and schoolmates. Though more LGBT individuals are slowly emerging into the mainstream, prejudice and bigotry in present societal attitudes keep many LGBT individuals from coming out of the closet. Many of them fear that in coming out, they might lose their family, friends and even their jobs. Yet, by not coming out, their lives are shrouded in secrecy.

We believe that relationships should be built on love, not fear and secrecy. Unfortunately, most LGBT individuals in Singapore are denied this basic freedom to be who they are in front of their loved ones. Your presence at the PinkDot event can change that. The gathering at Hong Lim Park may be a small gesture, but it goes a long way.

Q: Singapore is a largely conservative country. How can you organize such an event?
A: We love Singapore. This is our home and we believe that diversity is a cornerstone to our civil society. Like it or not, LGBT individuals exist. We are aware that many people harbour much hatred towards the LGBT community. That is why such events are important. It serves to foster understanding, and through that, there is hope for trust and social cohesion.

Q: Does this event go against my pro-family beliefs?
A: This is a pro-family event. LGBT individuals have got families too! However, familial relationships often get compromised due to a lack of understanding. Through this event, we hope to get people thinking about the issues commonly faced by the LGBT community, both inside and outside of their families – issues that many Singaporeans take for granted. We believe that an event like this can play an important part in promoting understanding and unity amongst family and friends.

Q: What can I do to help?
A: You can start by joining our Facebook group. Drop any of the admin users (including me) a message and we promise we will be in touch!

Q: Can I buy Pink Dot merchandise / the cute plushies?
A: Our plushies are lovingly handmade by our volunteers and we have no plans to sell them yet. To get in the spirit of things, why not come dressed in pink? :)

COUNTDOWN TO PINK DOT 2011: 1 MONTH TO GO!

2011-05-18T20:28:00.009+08:00

Press Release

SINGAPORE, 18 May 2011 – In exactly one month, on 18 June 2011, Singaporeans will, for the third year running, gather at Hong Lim Park to form a human pink dot in support of the belief that everyone deserves the freedom to love.

Organised by a pool of Singaporean volunteers, Pink Dot campaigns for diversity, inclusiveness, and works to foster understanding for the basic human need to love and be loved, regardless of oneʼs sexual orientation.

This year, Pink Dot 2011 is fronted by the DIM SUM DOLLIES (picture below), the comedy trio comprising Emma Yong, Pam Oei and Selena Tan. Festivities begin at 4.30pm with a dynamic line-up including performances by Dave Tan of local indie band Electrico, Broadway Beng Sebastian Tan and dance group Voguelicious.

A campaign video, conceptualised and directed by award-winning filmmaker Boo Junfeng (Sandcastle, Cannes 2010), can be seen here: http://youtu.be/FrIB5Ojbqns.

Already, the video has garnered more than 34,000 views within 36 hours of its May 17 launch.

Boo, 28, said: “The social stigma that LGBT people carry is often overlooked when we talk about homosexuality. The freedom to love and the comfort of being yourself, things many LGBT people hope to have, are often taken for granted by straight people. Beyond the event on June 18, I hope the video will continue to empower and inspire empathy for LGBT people”.

Pink Dot spokesperson Paerin Choa said: “We believe that Pink Dot 2011 will take another step towards a more inclusive and cohesive Singapore. Past events have seen people from different walks of life come together for this event – young, old, straight, gay, families and friends. It is extremely heartwarming to know that Singaporeans believe in building a more tolerant and harmonious society.”

Please SAVE THE DATE:

WHAT: PINK DOT 2011

WHERE: Hong Lim Park

WHEN: Saturday, June 18, 2011

WHAT TO WEAR: Of course, PINK!

TIMINGS: Activities commence 4.30pm, Concert begins at 5pm, Dot is formed at

6pm

*Please note: According to the park's terms and conditions, only Singaporeans and Permanent Residents may participate at the events held at Hong Lim Park. However, foreigners are most welcome to watch and observe.

For media enquiries and interviews, email writetopinkdot@gmail.com.

SAVE THE DATE: 18 JUNE 2011

2011-05-14T14:19:00.000+08:00

COUNTDOWN TO PINK DOT 2011!

SAVE THE DATE: 18 JUNE 2011

Hi everyone!

We’ve been a busy little red dot over the last few weeks, haven’t we! Seeing Singaporeans swept up in the heat of the General Elections and having a say in the country they love - it was so nice for us to see Singapore come together as one.

Now, we hope that everyone will come together again for PINKDOT 2011 to celebrate the freedom to love.

If you believe that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender people deserve to express their love just like any other Singaporean, come joins us to form a giant PINK dot on June 18, and help us make this statement!

That's right – in exactly ONE MONTH, Hong Lim Park will play host to a wonderful array of exciting activities, including performances from our PinkDot Ambassadors, the Dim Sum Dollies; Singapore’s favourite Beng, Sebastian Tan; as well as Dave Tan from local indie band Electrico!

Follow our twitter account @PinkDotSG or 'Like' us on Facebook to keep in the loop.

Bring your picnic baskets for teatime treats, be entertained by our roving performers or check out the booths of some of our LGBT support groups, who have been providing safe spaces for LGBT people in Singapore.

WHAT: PINK DOT 2011
WHERE: Hong Lim Park
WHEN: Saturday, June 18, 2011
WHAT TO WEAR: Of course, PINK!
TIMINGS: Activities commence 4.30pm

See you there!

Love,
PinkDot
xoxo

COME MAKE PINK DOT: 18 JUNE 2011!

2011-04-24T11:52:00.006+08:00

Pink Dot 2011 is here! And the fabulous Dim Sum Dollies are our ambassadors this year!

Everyone should have the freedom to love, regardless of sexual orientation. But fear, ignorance and prejudice often stand in the way. At Pink Dot, we believe the first step to overcoming these barriers is for open-minded segments of society to come together. If you too feel that LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) people deserve to express their love just like any other Singaporean, please join us at Hong Lim Park on 18 June 2011.

Pink Dot at the Beach!

2011-04-22T13:59:00.000+08:00

Can't wait to know the date for Pink Dot 2011? Our fabulous ambassadors will be making a special appearance at the beach this weekend to make the announcement! Come to the White Party on 23 April! http://bit.ly/fTZ4dv

Come see us, and take pictures with our adorable Pink Dot Plushies!

Should there be a Pink Dot 2011?

2010-08-03T14:56:00.007+08:00

Pink Dot started out as a grassroots initiative at a town hall meeting. In November 2008, some 20 people responded to an open call for ideas. Over drinks at a bar, they shared their ideas and views on putting together a Speakers Corner event in support of LGBT Singaporeans.

What transpired were two consecutive years of social campaigns that have reached thousands of Singaporeans, straight and gay.

In 2009, the inaugural Pink Dot event drew a 2,500-strong crowd to Speakers Corner. It was, then, the largest public gathering ever recorded at the park, and the first to champion LGBT interests. Online, the 'Freedom to Love' message reached tens of thousands on Blogger, YouTube and Facebook.

2010's 'Focusing on our Families' theme drew thousands of people to read and watch (and cry over too, we've been told) the campaign's real-life stories. On 15 May 2010, more than 4,000 people showed up at the Speakers Corner in a massive show of support for LGBT Singaporeans and their families.

What effect has Pink Dot had on the larger Singapore society?

How has it affected relationships within families, with friends, at school and at the workplace?

How could Pink Dot better its support of the local LGBT community?

Should there be a Pink Dot 2011?

We invite you to put on your pink-tinted glasses for an afternoon of crystal ball gazing and to share your views.

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RSVP on Facebook

Pink Dot is proud to be a part of IndigNation 2010.

Views from our Balloon Cam

2010-05-18T09:45:00.016+08:00

We had our cameras (with super duper lenses) all set at the vantage point for the aerial photo of Pink Dot 2010. But then a day before the event, we wondered what sorts of images we could capture if we simply attached a camera to one of our mega (36-inch) balloons?

It was no easy feat. The engineer among our midst did some calculations - it would take 3-4 big balloons to lift that 200g Canon compact camera high enough to capture Pink Dot in its entirety (around 20-storeys high).

We weren't ready to go all the way with this experiment (should our army black tape fail us, the camera will seriously injure someone; not to mention, we'd be out of a perfectly good camera) and so, we went with just two balloons - enough to lift BalloonCam^TM to a 5-storey height.

The camera was attached to one balloon with merely four pieces of tape (Our faith in the black tape has been renewed!); that balloon was attached to another mega-balloon; and both balloons were held in place by three long (pink) ribbons.

We did a test run at 4pm, before the start of the event. Preliminary footages looked promising. However, because the camera was attached to a lightweight balloon at the end of the day, we could only capture whatever the winds allowed us...

The camera was set to video mode. We recorded 2GB of data, and the image that you see above is a still from the video (at 640x480) - right before the event's grand finale.

We're quite happy with the result. The images aren't as sharp as the ones captured by our professional photogs, but we think it provides an interesting (low-flying) bird's eye view that complements the eagle view of our cameras way up there (on the 23rd floor).

Let's see if we can refine our methods and improve on BalloonCam^TM next year! Meanwhile, anyone with (constructive) suggestions... drop us an email or fill in the comments section below :)

(The Pink Dot peeps would like to compliment Suiling Ng, Mohd Hisham & Adrian Ch for their wonderful pictures)

Pink Dot 2010: From the heart

2010-05-16T10:12:00.004+08:00

Press Release: Hong Lim Park becomes a sea of Pink, with over 4,000 turning up for Pink Dot 2010

Singapore, May 15, 2010 – Over 4,000 pink-attired people gathered at Hong Lim Park today at 6pm to form a giant pink dot in a show of support for inclusiveness, diversity and the freedom to love. This makes Pink Dot 2010 the largest public gathering ever seen at the Speakers’ Corner since its opening in 2000, and is nearly twice the number of people who turned up at last year’s event.

The milestone event, held for the second time here, is organised by a group of local volunteers and aims to raise awareness and foster deeper understanding of the basic human need to love and be loved, regardless of one’s sexual orientation. This year’s theme is family, and the peaceful event was attended by both straight and gay Singaporeans and permanent residents, some who came with their family members.

Pink Dot spokesperson Jack Yong said: “We are immensely gratified and touched by the show of solidarity and support that Singaporeans have given us. Pink Dot 2010 has reached out and moved even more Singaporeans, straight and gay

“It is extremely uplifting to know that Singaporean families are strong enough to look beyond the labels and social prejudices that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Singaporeans face to continue to love and support one another. Pink Dot 2010 is not a demonstration nor a protest, but a celebration of love and kinship.”

In 2009, the inaugural Pink Dot, held at the same venue, saw 2,500 people in attendance. The peaceful event garnered extensive local and international press coverage, including the BBC and New York Times. Today’s gathering is a further indication of Singaporeans’ increasing awareness and support for the LGBT community – and significantly exceeding 2009’s turnout.

Three local celebrities – veteran actors Adrian Pang, Tan Kheng Hua and DJ Johnson Ong, also known as DJ BigKid – have stepped up as ambassadors for this year’s event. Adrian and Kheng Hua are parents themselves, and share a hope for a world where families can overcome the barriers to love.

Adrian Pang, 44, said: “Pink Dot carries a meaningful message about the belief that we all have a right to love and be loved. These values about love and harmony are ones that I would want to impart to my two boys – to teach them that life is so much happier when we live with love, understanding, generosity of spirit and compassion.

“This is why Pink Dot is significant. Things and views won’t change overnight, and the wider society will take some time to understand LGBT issues. But it is a start to building positive attitudes to a more open, inclusive and loving society.”

Actress Tan Kheng Hua said: “I am honoured to support the peaceful and loving event, which I believe signals a progress of a more open and inclusive Singaporean society.”

DJ BigKid added: “Seeing many Singaporeans at the event, both straight and gay, some who came with their families, was a moving experience. Pink Dot 2010 touched many lives, and is a landmark event in Singapore history.”

Pink Dot 2010 aims to highlight stories of honesty, openness and the strength of families who have unconditionally stuck by their loves ones, in the hope that all Singaporeans will join in celebrating the freedom to love within families, where sexual orientation represents a trait, not a barrier.

Pink Dot co-spokesperson, Stephanie Ong, said: “Although the presence of more LGBT individuals is slowly emerging into the mainstream, present societal attitudes keep many others from coming out of the closet. They fear that their honesty will cost them their family, friends, and even their jobs. We believe that Pink Dot 2010 carries a symbol of support and solidarity which will go a long way.”

Thank you, 4,000 of you!

2010-05-15T19:45:00.001+08:00

Come make Pink Dot 2010; Come make history!

2010-05-13T09:41:00.025+08:00

Get your tops, umbrellas, hats, socks and wigs out! We're a matter of just hours away from Pink Dot 2010!

Last year, 2500 Singaporeans turned up for Pink Dot, making it the largest gathering ever recorded at Hong Lim Park in Singapore's history. Come join us this year to break that record, and to show your support for the Freedom to Love.

But before we gather to celebrate our year of the Family at Hong Lim Park this Saturday, here's a look back at the 2010 campaign so far.
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In February, we announced the date and the theme of the year - Family; and then in March, we introduced our ambassadors for Pink Dot 2010:

"I think Pink Dot helps to cast aside prejudices, and I think if we can get people to open up their hearts to their loved ones, it would be a good start. I don’t expect we can revolutionise everyone’s mindsets, but if we can even make individuals and families aware of this, they can maybe take this and question what they might do if they were to find themselves in a situation where they have a family member or friend who is going through this. Real lives can be touched and changed." - Adrian Pang

"Relationships within the family should never be underestimated. The impact that family members have, whether or not the relationships are acrimonious or harmonious, can impact the subconscious in complex ways. In good or in bad times, you should always be able to go back to where you began - which is the family.” - Tan Kheng Hua

“I think, a lot of times, this issue drives a wedge between sons and daughters, with their parents. There’s that ‘need’ to hide who you are, that ‘need’ to keep up with appearances, and because of this, you cannot reveal your true self to the people that you love – your parents, extended family members, friends, old classmates… It keeps everyone in the family from having a truly close relationship.” - DJ Big Kid
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In April & May, we featured real-life stories of strong, cohesive families:

"Love and acceptance should start at home. As parents, if we do not show love to our children, how can we expect society to do the same? So I hope that parents will love their children for who they are. They are god's gift. When our children receive love and acceptance at home, I believe that they will go on to live their lives with love, and contribute to society in meaningful ways." - Eileena's mom
Read the full story in English & Chinese

“When you walk out on the street you have to face the cold hard facts, the world, and the way people look at you...it’s hard. Home is supposed to be the safe place where you can go to for warmth and love, and at the end of the day it’s good to know that there’s somebody you can go home to, who doesn’t judge you, who loves you for who you are.” - Jamie
Read the full story here

“I try to explain to my mom sometimes, that some people like vanilla ice cream, others like chocolate ice cream. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s a preference. I think everyone has to put in effort to pull the family together... To me, family is a group of people who go through the toughest times with you, and come out at the end, knowing you better, and loving you more, if not the same, regardless of what it is." - Joel
Read the full story here

"Over the years, they've realised that I'm still the same person. I still love them. I still care for them. Even though we communicate in our own ways, we have own ways of thinking, but I'm still essentially the same person. That hasn't changed. So maybe that helped to calm their fears... In fact, over the past few years when my ex was still staying with us... my mom even asked for him to come home for dinner sometimes. She'll say, 'Is he in Singapore? Why doesn't he come back for dinner? I'll cook his favourite dish.'" - Ethan

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And in case you missed it, here's the "Focusing on our Families" series of videos:

Focusing on our Families (Part 1)

Focusing on our Families (Part 2)

Focusing on our Families (Part 3)

Focusing on our Families (Part 4)

Pink Dot 2010: 一家亲 (其之一)

You ask, we answer!

2010-05-11T18:15:00.008+08:00

We're just days away from the event!!! There are lots in store this year and we are hopeful that our friends, straight and gay, will join us in our celebration of the Family. Meanwhile, here are some responses to the questions we've been getting:

Q: How is Pink Dot 2010 different from Pink Dot 2009?

A: Pink Dot 2009 was the first platform where citizens could show, publicly, their support for LGBT family members and friends. Pink Dot 2010 takes our core message – to celebrate the Freedom to Love – a step further with a special focus on love within families.

Q: Will the event be exactly like last year?

A: Not exactly. Thanks to the love and generosity of our supporters, we are aiming to take the Freedom to Love to more Singaporeans, with different performances and a little surprise as well – watch out for it! We're very excited ourselves, to kick start the celebrations this Saturday.

Q: Yeah whatever, but what will we see at Pink Dot 2010?

A: Lots of people, dressed in PINK, hanging together with their friends and families. If you're coming alone, we guarantee you'll make friends with lots of like-minded others. There will be strolling performers at the park, as well as acts at the centre of the field. We promise an afternoon of entertainment and distractions.

You will also get to meet our ambassadors, Adrian Pang, Tan Kheng Hua, DJ Big Kid, along with Eileena Lee, Jamie Yee and Joel Kang, from our Focusing on the Family series!

Q: Is this event legit or legal?
A: Yes, 100%! We have registered the event, speakers and performances with the authorities and we seek your cooperation in keeping the event litter-free!

Q: What are the admissions charges like?
A: Like love - the event is absolutely free-of-charge!

Q: Can I bring my parents, siblings, uncles, aunties, grandmas, grandpas, children, friends, colleagues, etc to the event?
A: Yes, of course. We've planned a family-friendly event. There will be plenty to see and do for people of all ages – straight and gay.

Q: What is expected of me at the event?
A: Just show up, mingle, watch the performances, and have fun! An aerial photograph will be taken to commemorate the event. Bring water, food, family and friends. No littering, please.

Q: I want to attend the event but I can’t!
A: That’s a bummer. However, please encourage your family and friends to come. If you’re on Facebook, drop us a line of encouragement! Same if you’re on Twitter – let’s see if we can make #PinkDot a trending topic on event day!

Q: Do I have to RSVP?
A: Not at all, but feel free to pledge your attendance on our Facebook event page.

Q: Are foreigners allowed to attend?
A: According to the park's terms and conditions, only Singaporeans and Permanent Residents may participate at the events held at Hong Lim Park. However, foreigners are most welcome to watch and observe. It is, after all, a public park.

Q: What does "participate" really mean?

A: Well, our interpretation of the term is that foreigners should not join in during the human Pink Dot formation segment of event.

Q: Do I really have to come dressed in pink?
A: You don’t have to, but if you’re coming down to show your support, you might as well come in Pink!

Q: Is this event a protest?
A: Absolutely NOT. It is a peaceful gathering to celebrate the Freedom to Love, as well as to show recognition for the importance of family, regardless of whether you’re straight or gay.

Q: I am straight. Why should I go?
A: There are many LGBT Singaporeans around you. They may not be easy to identify, but they are your sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, colleagues and bosses, teachers and schoolmates, doctors and lawyers, etc. Though more LGBT individuals are slowly emerging into the mainstream, present societal attitudes keep many of them from coming out of the closet. They fear that their honesty will cost them their family, friends, and even their jobs.

We believe that strong relationships are built on love and understanding, not fear and secrecy. Unfortunately, most LGBT individuals in Singapore do not enjoy the basic freedom of being who they are in front of their loved ones. Your presence on 15 May 2010 can help to change that. It may be a small gesture, perhaps with little direct impact on the actual lives of others, but we believe that this symbol of support and solidarity will go a long way.

Q: Why the 'Family' theme this year?

A: We believe the theme we've chosen this year is highly relevant to Singapore. Family is the most basic unit of our society. Strong families make for a strong, cohesive society. As such, the 2010 campaign hopes to bring LGBT Singaporeans closer to their families. Plus, Pink Dot will take place on the International Day of the Family – which makes this a very apt theme.

Q: How did you come across those real-life stories highlighted on your videos and blog?

A: We asked our friends, who then asked their friends, friends' friends and friends' friends' friends. We realised through this process that while most LGBT Singaporeans desire closer relationships with their families, many fear the price of honesty. We hope that the stories shared in the Pink Dot 2010 campaign will provide optimism. To the eight families who have bravely stepped forward to inspire us, we remain eternally grateful.

Q: I know someone who might be LGBT. What should I do?

A: It helps to be equipped with knowledge. It also helps to speak with people who share similar experiences. We've compiled a resource list from which you can draw upon.

Q: Who are the people behind this campaign and event?
A: Volunteers who believe that Singapore can be a better place if we all just exercise a bit more love and understanding.

Q: Singapore is a largely conservative country. How can you organize such an event?
A: We love Singapore. This is our home and we believe that diversity is a cornerstone to our multicultural civil society. Like it or not, LGBT Singaporeans exist. We know that many people may not be in support of their fellow LGBT citizens. That is why campaigns like Pink Dot are important. They serve to foster public understanding, and through that, work towards building greater social cohesion.

Q: What can I do to help?
A: You can start by joining our Facebook page. Ask your family and friends to join too! When we need volunteers, that's where we'd normally post requests. Alternatively, you can also drop us an email. At the end of the day, every additional person who comes forward to support us is one more voice helping to bring about mutual understanding and respect for Singaporeans, gay and straight.

Stepping forward to support families

2010-05-10T17:26:00.006+08:00

Pink Dot is happening this Saturday! Join our ambassadors and the families featured in our videos to support every Singaporean's freedom to love, regardless of sexual orientation. Please note that our programme will start on time, i.e. 5pm, so it may be a good idea to come a little earlier.

When:
5 to 6.30pm, 15 May 2010 (Sat)
Where:
Hong Lim Park
What to wear:
Anything pink
What to bring:
Family, friends, pets, picnic mats, your own food and refreshment, a fan to cool yourself if it's a hot day, an umbrella (pink please!) if it rains
Who will be there:
Adrian Pang, Tan Kheng Hua, DJ Big Kid, and more
What to expect:
Performances, fun and freebies (first-come-first-served), the mass formation of a heart and dot, of which aerial photos will be taken

Let's make #PinkDot a Twitter trending topic on May 15th as well! Spread the word to your followers, and get them to spread it to theirs :)

Brother to brother: Standing by your family through the tough times

2010-05-05T18:29:00.014+08:00

Two brothers; two years apart. One is a man of the arts; one is studying political science. One is an introvert; the other is an extrovert. One is straight; one is gay. Meet Joel and Joey Kang, 22 and 24, both undergraduates at a local university.

However, the one thing these two brothers have in common is their love and appreciation for family. Despite their different interests, they both love each other fiercely for whom they are. Joey, the elder of the two, describes how he first realised his younger brother is gay: “I wouldn’t say that there were instances when I expected anything. Growing up, I didn’t have any suspicion or inkling he is gay.

“He had this friend who started staying over for extended periods of time. After a while, I started to suspect that there was something different. We didn’t really talk about these things, basically it was like ‘you do your own thing, I do my own thing’. “It got to the point that my parents even started buying breakfast for the friend. They didn’t even buy breakfast for my girlfriend!”

His younger brother chuckles, but admits that he never really told Joey upfront that he was gay. Well, till this interview.

“We were at the point in our lives where we were busy doing our own things. I didn’t really come out to him explicitly, I only implied. But there came a point where he referred to my boyfriend then as my boyfriend rather than just a friend, and that was when I knew he knew.”

Joey, who is in a choir and sometimes works with the Singapore Lyric Opera, says that Joel’s coming out was a surprise, but something he took rather easily in his stride.

“In my group of friends, we are mostly amicable towards gays, since we are used to people from all walks of life. But when I first found out about my brother, you know, you don’t really expect these things to happen within your own family. Our family is super traditional – the whole thing about blood relations is very important, and it’s one thing I think about often.

“But then it became about acceptance, and I got used to his boyfriend being with the family. I think it’s cool that I have a gay brother. Well, I think he’s cool, anyway.”

When Joel finally did come out to his parents in a face-to-face talk, it was still an emotional experience which took quite a bit of courage.

Joel said: “When I came out, my parents were generally quite okay with it, although it was a shock at first. It’s been a few years, and they have dealt with it on their own terms a little more. My mom cried when I first came out, and, asked questions like, ‘Why, you should have told us earlier and we would have sent you somewhere’ – yes, she actually said that.

“My dad said he is quite liberal, and was ok with that sort of thing. But one day, when he saw me with a female friend, he asked if that girl was my girlfriend. I was quite taken aback, and left the room after a while. Later, I listened in to them talking about me, and my dad was saying stuff like, ‘maybe he used to like to eat fish, and now he likes to eat meat’, and Joey was saying ‘no, if you like to eat fish, you like to eat fish…”

Joey chips in: “Yeah, I think part of him still thinks you might settle down with a girlfriend…”

His brother continues. “My mother is better with it now. I have had some moments in my life where I was going through difficult times, being heartbroken and all, and she was there for me. I guess, ultimately, I am her son.”

Joey says: “I try to explain to my mom sometimes, that some people like vanilla ice cream, others like chocolate ice cream. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s a preference. I think everyone has to put in effort to pull the family together.”

For Joel, coming out to his family and having them accept his sexuality was an important and affirming event.

"To me, family is a group of people who go through the toughest times with you, and come out at the end, knowing you better, and loving you more, if not the same, regardless of what it is. There can be blood ties, or friends."

“Family acceptance is important to me because when you think about it, that’s all you have – people who are going to be there for you, no matter what. And at the end of the day, you want to know you’re not alone in the world. But you are surrounded by people who love you: parents, siblings, friends, I think that is so important. In a world where there is so much war and hate, what’s wrong with a little more love?”

From son to daughter: A Singaporean family's transformation

2010-04-27T07:29:00.039+08:00

“When you walk out on the street you have to face the cold hard facts, the world, and the way people look at you...it’s hard. Home is supposed to be the safe place where you can go to for warmth and love, and at the end of the day it’s good to know that there’s somebody you can go home to, who doesn’t judge you, who loves you for who you are.”

- Jamie Yee

Jamie Yee, 36, is a post-op transgender person. With the love and support of her family, Jamie, at the age of 24, underwent an operation to become what she had always felt she was: a girl.

From the age of five, Jamie knew she wasn’t quite like the other boys. Rather than sharing in the rough-and-tumble activities with them, she found herself gravitating towards girls’ toys, like cooking sets and dolls. One of her earliest recollections was when she was asked to colour a cow, and she did so – in purple – and all the time insisting that such an animal existed, despite everyone telling her it wasn’t the norm.

Jamie’s Mother, Mrs Yee Yoke Lan, 58, had also known early on that her child was special. “As she grew up – I think it was mother’s intuition – you get to see that she was very different. Although she was born a boy, she was very gentle. And when her sister was born – Jamie was 6-plus at the time – she also played with her sister’s toys.”

Awareness did not lead to acceptance though. Mrs Yee spent years in denial, in the face of increasing evidence of her daughter’s identified gender. During her medical check-up at secondary four, Jamie’s school doctor had called Mrs Yee in to tell her that Jamie was “special” , and although she was taking her ‘O’ Levels at the time, she should not be stressed.

“The doctor didn’t tell me exactly why at the time, why she was special. But in my own heart, I knew.”

It was not a feeling that Mrs Yee was ready to acknowledge, however.

“I was actually trying to deny (knowing) and hope that it will not be what I thought. As her mother I would always go to her room to tidy up and check (on her). And I would find traces of her cross-dressing – but I did not question her. Maybe I was afraid to face the truth.”

To make matters worse, work stress added further to the confusion arising from having to bring up a child like Jamie. They were taking their toll on Mrs Yee and she started contemplating suicide - a thought that she kept from everyone, including her husband.

Communication between Jamie and her father fared no better. Her father, Yee Chang Kim, 70, had little awareness of events at home; Mrs Yee had not shared her feelings with him.

“At the time, my working hours were very long, so I did not think very much of it. As her father, I found it very difficult to express my concern for her,” he said in Mandarin.

Through her teenage years, Jamie struggled to come to terms with her identity, and how she was going to break the news to her parents. Jamie tried to distance herself from them as much as she could, she would come home late to make sure no one would see her at night, and would sleep in late to make sure no one saw her in the morning when they went to work.

Her parents eventually found out when Jamie was called up for National Service.

When she went in for the routine medical, she confessed to the medical officer that she was transgendered. Her parents were subsequently asked to attend a meeting with the psychologist.

“I think it was a case of either denial or don’t-ask-don’t-tell. Sort of ‘maybe he’s going through a phase, he’ll get over it’ sort of thing. But they went ahead with it and I had to do the whole two years of National Service,” Jamie said.

“What the psychiatrist said was that maybe it’ll make me more of a man after it - but apparently not.”

Crucially, however, Jamie’s mother was opening to the idea that her son was really her daughter. Through her own very difficult period, while wrestling with thoughts of suicide, Mrs Yee went for counselling courses. It was there that she began to open up and learn more about diversity in human sexuality.

Transgendered people are individuals who express their gender in a non traditional manner. In Jamie’s case, she was born physically as a man, but sees and expresses herself completely as a woman. In practical terms, she has always been a female, but requires gender reassignment to fully express it.

Mrs Yee knew this. She knew that gender identity issues aren’t easy to deal with, and that family support can help her daughter. “I don’t think they have a choice”, she said, “sometimes they are born in this way, so they need the help and understanding from their family to help them and to believe in them.”

After NS, Jamie started to transition. “I read from a lot of books that it’s actually better to try and live your life as a full time girl to see how would blend in and cope with that.” During this period, Jamie worked at a restaurant, dressed up as a girl, to save up money to go for a gender reassignment operation in Thailand. But she was faced with a painful choice.

Her mother had cautioned her not to “do anything drastic” until after her father had passed on, given how conservative he was. But deep inside, Jamie was torn.

“It kept going on in my head that it’s not fair of me wishing that my Dad would pass on so that I can do what I want to do. It was a choice between going ahead and doing the surgery without their blessing in Thailand, or coming straight out and getting their blessing – which would be a lot better for me as well,” she said.

So Jamie approached her mother about the gender reassignment surgery, knowing that her mother was not closed to the idea.

Mrs Yee listened, then promised to talk to her husband on Jamie’s behalf. For them, choosing to give Jamie their blessing, or not, represented the choice between supporting their daughter through a major turning point in her life and keeping her, or further estranging their daughter and themselves, while leaving their daughter to an uncertain fate.

It was a very difficult choice for Mr Yee.

“Jamie’s my child. When she said that she wanted to go for the operation, my heart ached quite badly. It was a very difficult time for me. I kept asking myself: how is it possible that a child of mine could turn out like that? I found it so difficult to accept the reality”, he said, “but I thought, If I try to stop her, what will be the consequences? So I thought that the best thing for me to do, as her father, was to let Jamie decide for herself. This is something that she's been wishing for, for a long time, and I want her to be happy. I feel that if I had tried to stop her, she might have a very different outlook on life and I feared that something bad might happen to her. So in the end, I gave her my blessing to go for the operation.”

“The decision was made because we don’t want her to, because we already know that she has decided to go ahead, we don’t want her to go to a foreign land to take the operation where her family were not around. So we decided to let her go ahead and do it in Singapore where we feel that with us around giving her the support it would be much safer, we would feel better, and also in our heart we were thinking at least we have a child”, said Mrs Yee, “because we don’t want to lose a child, that’s the main thing.”

Mr Yee agreed, “I'm her parent, so it's my responsibility to see that she lives and grows as a healthy and happy individual no matter what she may be like. I cannot abandon her.”

In fact, Mr and Mrs Yee not only supported Jamie’s decision, but also arranged for her to have it done in Singapore, at a cost of more than $10,000.

“We used our Medisave and our savings to help her, to help pay for the operation. Because she had to stay in an ‘A’ Class ward, it was very costly, but we think it was worth it. We would be around in case of any complications,” said Mrs Yee.

Additionally, it was also Jamie’s mother who helped her inform the rest of the extended family, seeking their support as well.

“It was very difficult to break the news to the family but I have to do that because I want them to accept”, said Mrs Yee, “it’s Jamie’s choice and we have to respect her decision.”

And to Jamie’s amazement, when she awoke, she saw not only her own parents smiling back at her, but also her entire extended family, their support and understanding made real.

Sharing the moment, Jamie’s mother said, “We felt happy that she had woken up from the operation, that’s the most important part... the priority was that she’s safe and healthy after that.”

Twelve years later, Jamie is a successful post-op transgender female. She is now a registered nurse, and is no longer afraid of showing herself to her family. She attends family gatherings, and readily shares her problems with her parents, who go on to support her in whatever way they can.

Jamie’s mother said, “Jamie has to face the world bravely and understand that there will be many who will look at her with different feelings and different thoughts... She has to know that her family understands and wants to help to continue her life and to live happily.”

And how does Jamie feel? “I am very lucky in the sense that I’ve got great parents who are supportive and it’s like now when I go out with them and they introduce me as their daughter, as their eldest daughter... It’s little things like that which I feel I’m thankful”, she smiles, “Although sometimes, my Mum still forgets and calls me by my boy’s name. But that’s fine.”

When one door closes, a closet door opens: A Singaporean mother’s appeal to parents of LGBT sons and daughters

2010-04-20T10:27:00.015+08:00

The feeling of falling into a deep pit is how Yiap Geok Khuan, 67, would describe her state-of-mind when she first received word that her daughter, Eileena Lee, 38, is gay.

Tears filled her eyes before she even heard the words. She had been in denial for years and her greatest fear was about to be confirmed – that the daughter she once dressed up in her own image – would turn out to be lesbian.

The bearer of the news was not Eileena though. It was her younger brother, who decided to call his mother at her office one afternoon, all the way from Australia, where he was studying.

Eileena had confided in her brother, and he chose to speak with their mother about it. His intention was not to tell on his sister, but rather, to ask Mdm Yiap to give Eileena emotional support, for she had been struggling with her sexual orientation for a very long time.

Mdm Yiap still vividly remembers that fateful day, down to the exact words her son had said to her over the telephone: “Mom, you have to remain very calm. I have something to tell you that’s very important, and I need you to be calm when I say it because this is not something that we can control or change, and we have to accept it as it is.”

This was back in 1995, long before pink dollar, pink tourism, penal code 377A or the AWARE saga found their way into the Singapore consciousness.

“When I heard what my son had to say, what I felt… is so hard to describe. I was sad. I was angry. It felt as if I was going to fall. I felt guilty. I felt frustrated. And I kept asking myself: Why is life so unfair? Why did god deliver this to me? Why did it have to be me? Why did it have to be my daughter?” she recalled.

Highly distraught, Mdm Yiap began her search for answers. She looked around for information and literature about homosexuality, not quite knowing what it was that she was looking for. She admitted that she was flustered and "in two minds" about the situation. On the one hand, she was hoping to find answers on how she could change Eileena – to make her straight. On the other hand, she knew, deep down, that she may never find the answers she was looking for. This meant that she would eventually have to face up to reality.

During this period, Mdm Yiap did not confront her daughter on what her son had revealed to her. She was not ready for that. She chose avoidance instead. So from 1995 to 2001, Eileena became "invisible" to Mdm Yiap and their relationship turned cold. Mdm Yiap would take a "passive-aggressive" tact when interacting with her daughter, picking on insignificant, minute details to signal her unhappiness.

“I was confused and I may have given Eileena the impression that I didn’t love her then," she said. "That's not true at all, of course. My thoughts at the time were that I didn’t want a daughter like that; I didn’t want a gay daughter. So I avoided her because I needed to escape that reality. On the surface, I appeared very cold, but in my heart, I was always concerned about her,” she said.

All the books that Mdm Yiap had read about homosexuality were of little help. For sure, she received greater clarity on the facts and issues, but none of that knowledge adequately addressed her emotional distress at the time. She remembered reminiscing a lot about simpler moments in the past, where she would dress Eileena in pretty dresses.

“I was quite vain, as a woman, and I cared a lot about looks. I wanted Eileena to be pretty, and she was such a pretty girl when she was younger," Mdm Yiap recalled.

"All through her primary school, Eileena was like any other girl. But when she started secondary school, she became quite rebellious. She was hot-tempered and she didn’t want to talk to me even though I tried very hard to communicate with her. She kept avoiding me and I grew increasingly worried for her. She knew that I loved her femininity but she became a tomboy and stopped wearing skirts. The harder I tried to coax her, the angrier she would be with me."

Desperate to connect with her daughter, Mdm Yiap resorted to spying. She would sneak into Eileena's room, hoping to find a journal or a diary.

Looking back, Mdm Yiap said she spent too much time and energy searching for answers. It was futile because she was never satisfied with whatever it was that she found.

In 2001, after six years of reading and researching, Mdm Yiap confronted her daughter. With a deep breath and a heavy heart, she went to Eileena and asked, "Are you abnormal?"

Eileena's response: "No, I'm very normal."

Half an hour later, she went back to her daughter. This time, she asked, "Are you gay?"

Things did not improve immediately between the two. According to Mdm Yiap, she continued to feel a "knot" in her heart, but their relationship gradually took a turn for the better.

Although Eileena now jokingly refers to that episode as one where she was "dragged out of the closet" by her mother, she admitted that if not that confrontation, she would not have chosen to tell her mother.

"Like a lot of gay people, I had thought that telling the parents was a selfish and hurtful act," Eileena said. "My mother didn't accept it quickly. At the time, she also blamed herself."

Although she had exposed herself to information on homosexuality, Mdm Yiap continued to think that Eileena might have become gay because of something she did or said. "I didn't understand what homosexuality was about. I thought Eileena was gay because she thought being gay was cool. I thought it was through the influence of her friends. I thought that maybe she was just being rebellious."

Eileena did not aim for her mother's acceptance. Instead, she wanted to reconnect with her mother as her honest, authentic self: "When we start to lie, we need other lies to cover up, in order to protect that first lie. Then it all builds up. Soon, your whole life becomes a lie and you lose yourself."

While in the past her words would arouse her mom's suspicion, Eileena's honesty was reassuring for Mdm Yiap. "Eileena helped me to understand who she was. She brought her friends back home, usually large groups of friends, and from the sidelines, I observed them. I realised then that not all gay people were what I had imagined. Not everyone fit into that image that I had in my head. Almost all of them were highly educated and had successful careers. Everyone was polite and kind."

Aside from "spying" on Eileena's friends, Mdm Yiap would also listen in on Eileena's phone conversations. She realised that Eileena was spending a lot of time counselling others. She witnessed how Eileena would go out of her way to help others, sometimes even talking people out of suicidal thoughts. "My observations tell me that she's got a loving and kind heart. Many people could see that. My pastor likes her very much too. And even though Eileena's Buddhist, she would offer to help out at my church," she said.

In 2002, Eileena's father passed away. Shortly after his passing, the family business encountered several serious setbacks. This was a business that Mdm Yiap had painstakingly built from scratch, so it mattered greatly to her. But after a series of lawsuits and losses, she decided to give up the business and retire.

The incident still upsets her, but it also represents a turning point for the way she felt towards Eileena. "Eileena encouraged me to go to church. She persuaded me to talk to my pastor. She even brought me to church. If not for all of that, I believe I might be mentally unsound today," Mdm Yiap said.

For Eileena, that difficult period signalled to her the importance of family. "I never really had a strong relationship with my mom. After my father passed away, we had to learn to live with each other – because we had to. I saw that she was going through a lot of sadness [at the time] and I felt it was necessary for me to support her, because, come to think of it, I spend a lot of time helping people who aren't even family, so why shouldn't I give more to my family?"

Reflecting on the entire experience, Mdm Yiap concluded that things only got better when she learnt to open her heart and her mind. To do that, she had to let go and not try to control what God had given to her. Adopting this mindset, she said, allowed her relationship with Eileena to grow by "leaps and bounds".

Today, Mdm Yiap is proud to support initiatives like Pink Dot because she believes her own experiences can go towards reassuring other parents. "To me, the parent-child relationship is priceless," she said. "As parents, we need to show our children love and support, so that they can be happy individuals who will give back to society".

Mdm Yiap personally believes that life is better when everyone treats each other with love and care. She says this is what her religion has taught her. "Gays are people, and so, like anyone else, they need love."

Mdm Yiap recognises, of course, that this sentiment did not come easily to her, and so she offers her story in the hope that other parents might benefit from it.

"From the bottom of my heart, I want to share with the parents of LGBT Singaporeans, some of the key things that I have come to realise. First, nobody chooses to be gay. Homosexuality is not a disease or a disorder. How they feel comes naturally to them, and I believe that this is what God had intended for them, and also, for us," she said.

"Love and acceptance should start at home. As parents, if we do not show love to our children, how can we expect society to do the same? So I hope that parents will love their children for who they are. They are God's gift. When our children receive love and acceptance at home, I believe that they will go on to live their lives with love, and contribute to society in meaningful ways."

Adrian Pang says family support matters when coming out

2010-04-19T10:03:00.007+08:00

It sometimes takes a life-changing experience for someone to gain a fresh perspective on life. For Adrian Pang, one of the most prominent faces in the Singapore film, television and theatre scenes, it took a few personal crises.

Having just turned 44, Adrian has been through several personal crises over the last few years. Each time, existential questions about life and life’s purpose would enter his mind and bother him for days on end. But through overcoming them, Adrian felt a renewed sense of purpose in life: “It’s so easy to be caught up in the daily rush of life and forget what’s important,” he noted. “I want to make this second half of my life count."

To kick things in motion, the veteran actor left MediaCorp TV in March, after a three-year stint. He has since started ‘Pangdemonium! Productions’, a theatre company, with his wife, Tracie Howitt – also a familiar name in the local theatre circuit. His motivation: to rediscover his passion for the stage, where he had first started out.

Adrian signed up as ambassador for Pink Dot 2010 because he shares in the belief that everyone should be free to love. “Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about life and my place in the world in the grand scheme of things, especially about my role as a husband, father, son and friend. The conclusion that I’ve come to is that we are nothing without love; we are nothing without the freedom to love and to be loved,” he said.

He admitted that talk about ‘freedom’ and ‘love’ may sound clichéd or corny to some, but he maintains that not enough has been said about these life-affirming values. “Life’s too short. If you don’t make it count and you don’t make it matter by being able to give love or have the opportunity to love back, then life is meaningless.”

For Adrian, Pink Dot is a meaningful symbol of how we all have a right to love and be loved, regardless of who we are or whom we love. Such are the values that he wants to impart to his two boys – to teach them that life is so much happier when we live with love, understanding, generosity of spirit and compassion.

The ‘Family’ theme for Pink Dot 2010 is also significant. “As a father, I try to lead by example. I try to be real, to be benevolent, to demonstrate what’s right and wrong, good and bad, and all of that. I don’t always get it right, but the one thing that my wife and I have always been very adamant about is to teach the boys to be loving individuals.”

Adrian chose to champion Pink Dot, in particular, because it represents the freedom of LGBT Singaporeans to live meaningful lives. He recalled the story of a friend from school who had struggled with his sexual orientation for a very long time.

“He was very talented, but always very reserved. He kept to himself a lot of the time. There was something about him that always struck me as ever so slightly mysterious, but nobody questioned him,” he said. It turned out that this friend had deliberately kept himself at a distance. Many years would pass before he finally “confessed” his “deep secret” to a mutual friend.

“His parents didn’t know, his friends, even gay friends, didn’t know. He struggled with this for years. This was something that he wasn’t comfortable with, even within himself, for a very long time. It was only when he met someone, in his late twenties, that he found himself unable to hold it in anymore and he finally admitted to himself that he’s gay.”

This is a story that saddens Adrian because he believes that no one should have to go through such struggles alone – of being in denial and not having anyone to talk to.

Adrian believes that open minds and open communication channels are key to strong families. His idea of a close-knit family is one where family members feel safe and comfortable enough to share openly and honestly. This, of course, is an idealistic notion to strive towards. In reality, things are not always so simple as “you can’t choose your family”.

Many LGBT Singaporeans rely on their friends for support, not their families, he observed. While some level of support is better than no support at all, LGBT Singaporeans stand to lose out on strong family relationships.

“I know this won’t come easy for a lot of people. To be able to come out is a huge deal,” he said. “Admittedly, sexual orientation is a huge part of who we are as individuals. It doesn’t define a person, but it is a big part of what that person is about. So if you have family or friends who cannot accept that part of you, it kind of denigrates the relationship.”

Adrian’s view is that such patterns are not likely to disappear anytime soon as the wider society will take some time to understand LGBT issues. That is why Pink Dot is significant. For him, it represents a start to building positive attitudes for a more open and inclusive society.

So while the Pink Dot 2010 ambassador does not expect Pink Dot to “revolutionise people’s views”, the goal behind his involvement is simple: to help make individuals and families more aware, so that they can touch people’s lives in meaningful ways.”

On that note, what might Adrian say to his sons if either of them were to come out to him? His answer: “Thank you for telling me. You’re my son and I love you.”

DJ Big Kid reflects upon the impact of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ within families

2010-04-13T16:55:00.004+08:00

Coming out of the closet is seldom easy. Just ask DJ Big Kid (otherwise known as Johnson Ong), a prominent name at dance parties across Asia.

Big Kid is Singaporean, gay, and closeted to his family. In fact, this story might be his way of leaving the proverbial doors open for future conversations with his loved ones. “I grew up in an environment where I was told being gay is wrong; that I needed to cast out the demons,” he said.

He suspects some members of his family might be aware of his sexual orientation. But so far, none of them have confronted him. He’s pretty certain that this same dynamic applies to many gay Singaporeans – a code of ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ within families, so as to avoid difficult conversations.

“Parents have a certain expectation of their children,” he noted. “Because of these expectations, you feel that there’s a need to keep up the charade. If you don’t, then you’d fall short and disappoint everyone.”

As a country, we think of ‘family’ as being core to our values, yet the idea of having an LGBT family member would be unfathomable for most Singaporean families. Hence, we dodge, pretend and avoid, so as to maintain harmony, Big Kid said.

“I think, a lot of times, this issue drives a wedge between sons and daughters, with their parents. There’s that ‘need’ to hide who you are, that ‘need’ to keep up with appearances, and because of this, you cannot reveal your true self to the people that you love – your parents, extended family members, friends, old classmates… It keeps everyone in the family from having a truly close relationship.”

He recounts the story of a friend, J, who fell ill and had to be hospitalised. J is gay and was, at the time, not out to his family. J’s partner had alerted J’s family about the situation, and he would, subsequently, continue to provide regular updates to J’s mother about the condition of J’s health.

The way in which J's family had managed the situation stuck with Big Kid because it exemplified what he perceived to be a particularly "Asian" approach of tiptoeing around the elephant in the room. Everyone in the family knew what was going on between J and his partner but no one would talk about it, he said.

“It didn’t matter to the mother what relationship J had with his partner. What mattered to her was that this guy cares deeply about her son, which was something that she could recognise quite clearly. Next thing you know, when she’s making chicken soup for J, she prepares an extra portion for J’s partner.”

For Big Kid, the story reflects the way in which most Singapore families might manage and accept the presence of an LGBT member: “quiet acknowledgement”. However, he believes that family relationships will be stronger when family members communicate more openly – “So that they can be the ones you turn to,” he said.

For that reason, Big Kid said ‘yes’ to being a Pink Dot 2010 ambassador. “Last year’s Pink Dot was a fantastic effort… and it’s a simple thing that we can do once a year to say that LGBT people are a part of the Singapore family.”

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Coming up next: Adrian Pang and more!

For stronger people, families and societies, give 'good love', says Tan Kheng Hua

2010-04-09T11:43:00.006+08:00

What is a "good love"? According to Singaporean actress Tan Kheng Hua, "good love", over and above ordinary love, is what we get when we are “with people who can bring out the best in us". And indeed, the Ambassador for Pink Dot 2010 believes that “good love” can help forge stronger people, resilient families and societies.

The prominent actress, who is also a mother, thinks this year’s Pink Dot theme – Family - is an apt one, as she firmly believes that family support is a vital part of life. “Relationships within the family should never be underestimated,” she said, adding that it is ultimately our relationships at home that will affirm who we are as people, and as a community.

She stressed, "The impact that family members have, whether or not the relationships are acrimonious or harmonious, can impact the subconscious in complex ways. In good or in bad times, you should always be able to go back to where you began, which is the family.”

Kheng Hua strives to be as supportive a person to her family and friends as possible. For people who have no access to such support, she feels that the community can play an important role to integrate differences in society. Community, to her, no matter how small, can shape perspectives, ideas and self-worth.

“Having people around you, especially people who bring out good things in you, will reinforce what’s good about you. When you are with them, you like the person that you are.”

Likewise, she hopes that Pink Dot 2010 will give a "good feeling" to all participants involved. The idea of coming together to 'Make Pink Dot' may sound simple, but, in her own words: “Don’t underestimate that”.

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Coming up next: thoughts from Adrian Pang and DJ Big Kid :)

COME MAKE OUR HAPPY PINK DOT HAPPIER!

2010-04-06T13:41:00.007+08:00

PinkDot is a platform that celebrates the Freedom to Love, regardless of whether you are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender or Straight. We are made up of a group of straight and gay volunteers who care deeply about the place LGBT Singaporeans call home.

In 2009, 2,500 people came to support the Freedom to Love. This year, we hope to make PinkDot bigger!

PinkDot is back this year, at Hong Lim Park, on 15 May 2010 – the International Day of Families.

We are looking for performers and performing troupes above 18 years of age for the second Pink Dot, and would like to invite artistes who are keen on supporting Pink Dot to audition for:

Main performance slots (4-6 acts). (We’d be particularly ecstatic if you’re a cheerleading team or marching band)
Strolling performers such as jugglers, stilt-walkers, illusionists, etc.

Please let us know if you are willing to participate/perform pro bono. This doesn’t guarantee a performance slot, but it is very valuable in making Pink Dot a reality. Otherwise, all selected artistes will be paid a performance stipend.

AUDITION DETAILS
Date: 17 April 2010, Saturday
Time: 1 – 4 pm
Venue: Fly Entertainment, 213 Henderson Road, Henderson Industrial Park, #01-02/11

To register for auditions, please email us with your name, IC no. and contact details (i.e. mobile number). Please also provide a brief summary of your performance. Submissions will be accepted until 15 April.

Email us, too, with further queries – we’ll get back to you asap.

Pictures from PinkDot's Tea Party!

2010-04-01T17:53:00.006+08:00

We premièred our very first 2010 video, we introduced our ambassadors for 2010, and we had a ball with our friends who came down (dressed fashionably, in pink) to show their support. Check out our pretty pictures from last Sunday [Thanks, Dennis & Enrik! PinkDot loves Fotocology]

We have a date!

2010-03-29T01:19:00.011+08:00

Come 15 May 2010, Singaporeans are invited to celebrate the Freedom to Love with Pink Dot once again.

This year, Pink Dot honours kinship and family – in support and in recognition of our parents, siblings, relatives and friends of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Singaporeans.

Growing up gay is never easy. But it is through the unconditional love, support and understanding of family members and friends that they are able to pull through; with the care, kindness and concern that sustains over periods of anxiety and hardship.

We believe that everyone inherently wants to feel accepted - like they belong. This is why family values matter greatly to Pink Dot.

Beyond the emotional and psychological well-being that strong familial ties can provide, family values also go towards affirming who we are as a community and as a nation: cohesive and compassionate.

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Come make Pink Dot with us on 15 May 2010 (Saturday) at Hong Lim Park.

More than 2,500 people came last year and had a wonderful time. Help us enlarge the Dot this year to show the world that Singapore is a great place for everyone, straight or gay.

Bring your families, friends and colleagues!

A Fabulous Line-up to Raise Fun at Fundraiser!

2010-03-19T14:29:00.019+08:00

Local actors, dancers and DJs will perform at PinkDot's 28 March 2010 tea party to help raise funds for the May 15 event. So come have tea with us, be entertained by our line-up of stars, and support the Freedom to Love.

Presenting:

Emma Yong

Unquestionably one of the great actresses and vocalists in the local theatre scene, Emma was recently seen in Glen Goei's film, The Blue Mansion. She is also well-known for being among Singapore's favourite stage trio, the Dim Sum Dollies.

Hossan Leong

A popular stage and screen actor, as well as comedian, Hossan has appeared in numerous plays and television shows. He performs regularly with the Dim Sum Dollies and was also part of the Chestnuts series of plays. To date, he has performed in more than 50 plays and many television programmes.

Voguelicious

The fanciest and sexiest dance crew in Singapore, Voguelicious has been described as THE male Pussycat Dolls. Watch them perform and they promise to "send shivers" down your spine!

DJ KFC

A regular at Loof and OverEasy, DJ KFC's 'no music, no life' philosophy has taken him through the multitudes of musical genres with true verve and appreciation. Known for throwing different genres into his mixes but always keeping the vibe and energy on the floor, his heart and soul shine through his feel good sets.

DJs Twoface

Probably the only cutesy girl disc jockey duo in Singapore, Grace Sunami & Linda How, aka DJs Twoface, never fail to come up with the freshest and juiciest tracks to keep those dancing shoes moving.

Buy your tickets now:

Tickets @ S$50, inclusive of drink and finger food, sponsored by House.
For queries, kindly email or get in touch via our Facebook pages.

Hope to see you there!

When: 3.30 to 6.30pm, 28 March 2010, Sunday
Where: House / Barracks Café, 8D Dempsey Road [map]
Wear: The colour of our IC

Love,
The PinkDot team

We’re gearing up for Pinkdot #2

2010-03-09T14:16:00.022+08:00

and you can help by coming to our fundraising tea party

On 16 May 2009, a pink dot was formed on the little red dot of Singapore, when 2,500 fellow citizens turned up at Hong Lim Park to make a stand against prejudice and apathy. This year, it is our hope that this inspiring beacon of inclusiveness continue to shine – brighter and stronger than before.

You’re invited to our fundraiser

By purchasing tickets to the party, you’ll go some way towards helping us defray costs of staging Pinkdot this year. With entertainment provided by Hossan Leong, Emma Yong and Voguelicious, in a snazzy setting with luscious nibbles and refreshments courtesy of House, this fundraiser looks set to be a rollicking, fun-filled prelude to our main event in May.

So put on your party best (pink please) and bring all your bff’s (all shapes and shades are welcome). Let Pinkdot's message of love ring even louder and clearer this year!

When: 3.30 to 6.30pm, 28 March 2010, Sunday
Where: House / Barracks Café, 8D Dempsey Road [map]
Wear: The colour of our IC

Tickets @ S$50, inclusive of drink and finger food, sponsored by House.

For queries, kindly email pinkdotsg@yahoo.com or get in touch via our Facebook pages.

Love, Kinship and Families take centre stage at Pink Dot 2010

2010-02-12T16:52:00.006+08:00

Come 15 May 2010, Singaporeans are invited to celebrate the Freedom to Love with Pink Dot once again.

This year, Pink Dot honours kinship and family – in support and in recognition of our parents, siblings, relatives and friends of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Singaporeans.

Growing up gay is never easy. But it is through the unconditional love, support and understanding of family members and friends that they are able to pull through; with the care, kindness and concern that sustains over periods of anxiety and hardship.

We believe that everyone inherently wants to feel accepted - like they belong.

This is why family values matter greatly to Pink Dot.

Beyond the emotional and psychological well-being that strong familial ties can provide, family values also go towards affirming who we are as a community and as a nation: cohesive and compassionate.

Yet, every family is different. No two grandparents, parents, children, siblings, uncles, aunties, etc, can be exactly the same.

We relate to everyone differently precisely because we recognise and appreciate, quite naturally, that every person is unique.

So what happens when "sexual orientation" is a trait that makes a loved one unique? Will you continue to love your gay parent, child, grandchild, sibling, cousin, nephew or niece unconditionally?

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Come make Pink Dot with us on 15 May 2010 (Saturday) at Hong Lim Park! More than 2,500 people came last year and had a wonderful time. Help us enlarge the Dot this year to show the world that Singapore is a great place for everyone, straight or gay. Bring your families, friends and colleagues! To keep up to date with the latest information, befriend Pink Dot at http://www.facebook.com/pinkdot or join our Facebook Page.

The Pink Dot Organising Committee

Pink Dot supports Indignation!

2009-07-29T11:53:00.003+08:00

Singapore's very own annual pride season happens for the fifth time! Art exhibitions, talks, film screenings, book launches, parties and forums all August! Click on the banner below for details.

The Online Citizen's coverage on Pink Dot

2009-05-21T14:22:00.001+08:00

Aerial shots of PINK DOT

2009-05-18T10:32:00.008+08:00

Here's an exclusive preview to some of the aerial shots taken during PINK DOT last Saturday. Do try to spot yourself, family or friends! We will be constantly updating this blog with more photos and videos so do stay tuned. For more aerial shots, click here.

All images shot by Jackson Aw © pinkdot.sg

Pink Dot on The Straits Times!

2009-05-17T14:01:00.000+08:00

Pink Dot on BBC!

2009-05-17T13:44:00.003+08:00

Pink Dot on TODAY!

2009-05-17T13:38:00.001+08:00

thank you for supporting the freedom to love

2009-05-17T12:54:00.001+08:00

Singapore Is PINK DOT!

2009-05-16T23:55:00.017+08:00

Pink Dot Is LOVE!!!

2009-05-16T17:09:00.005+08:00

Make a donation!

2009-05-13T16:26:00.001+08:00

Pink Dot has been put together by a small group of individuals who have donated their time, expertise and dedication for a cause that they believe in.

If you would like to donate money to Pink Dot to help facilitate the event, please click on the DONATE button on our blog's sidebar.

The money will be used to cover the cost of areas such as marketing and promotion, logistics and event programmes. Whatever funds left over from this year will be brought over to 2010.

Get your coffee fix during Pinkdot!

2009-05-13T16:18:00.003+08:00

On 16 May, from 3 - 7 pm, Sooma Coffeehouse will be donating $1 to the Pinkdot campaign for every drink sold. So grab a cuppa before heading down to Hong Lim Park this Saturday at 4.30 pm!

Sooma Coffeehouse
3 Pickering Street, Nankin Row @ China Square Central, #01-04
(The cafe is located along the pedestrian lane behind Great Eastern Centre / Hans restaurant, and is a 4 min walk from Hong Lim Park.)
Map: http://www.soomacoffeehouse.com/contact.html

Make Your Own Pink Dot

2009-05-10T21:10:00.010+08:00

Template & instructions

Want to have your very own Pink Dot? Click on the image above to download (just right-click and choose "save as" after the image has loaded) the template and instructions to get you started. Once you're done, photograph yourself with Pink Dot and email it to us at pinkdotsg@yahoo.com or upload it to Facebook and tag Pink Dot :)

Be creative and have fun! The possibilities are endless!

Big thanks to Tingly Sensation for coming up with this fantastic idea!

Pink Dot's Meet-The-People Session

2009-05-10T04:04:00.010+08:00

PINK DOT PEEPS

View the full album HERE!

"A Dot is merely a Dot, but when all Dots come together, we show Singapore that we exist. If not now, when?"
Willie Chan, 32, Business Development Manager

"Love is all around."

Zizi Azah, 28, Theatre Director

"And so the feeling goes."

Izmir Ickbal, 28, Security Analyst

"Love conquers all."
John Lee, 30, Marketing Manager

"There are no boundaries for love."
Daryl Pan, 23, Undergraduate

Russell Morton, 27, Film Student

"Gay also means happy."

"Love doesn't choose."

Hossan Leong, 40, Actor/Director

"Freedom to create our own history."

Aishah Ashburn, Zhang Wenjie, Yuni Hadi

The Singapore International Film Festival Committee

"Who or how you love is your business, not mine."

Shida Mahadi, 28, Educator

"Love does not discriminate. Only people do."

Ivan Heng, '35', Artistic Director, W!LD RICE

"It is your right to choose who you love."

Gary Ng, 21, Student

"As an ultimate fag hag, I'm all for love."

Norma Desouza, 20, Film Student

"We are gentle rainbow warriors."

Tara Tan, 24, Journalist

"Pink is the only obsession."

Stefanie Ho, 25, Banker

"Not everything is in red and white."
Royston Tan, 32, Filmmaker

"Just like me, my gay friends are perfectly normal STRAIGHT people. They too have dreams, love and hope for a better tomorrow like all of us."

Katherine Koo, 42, Office Manager

"Love is not restricted."

Peixuan, 16, Student

Fitri, 18, Student

Jia Cheng, 16, Student

Click here to see more Pink Peeps and their statements!

DJ Big Kid, Selena Tan and Brendon Fernandaz tell Pink Dot why they support The Freedom To Love

2009-05-08T16:27:00.005+08:00

DJ Big Kid, Johnson Ong:

"Gay Singaporeans have contributed to the development and success of Singapore as much as straight Singaporeans and must have the same rights and freedoms accorded to them. This includes the freedom to love and demonstrate that love to someone of the same gender. To a gay person, this is something that is not determined by choice, but is an emotion that is as natural as breathing and eating or drinking. Therefore, I sincerely ask all Singaporeans, regardless of their sexual orientation or religious affiliations, to take a stand and reject any unjust law or policy that discriminates against otherwise perfectly law-abiding citizens. Every single Singaporean deserves a chance in his/her pursuit of happiness, and not to have such a basic human freedom taken away."

Selena Tan:

"How wonderful it is that Singaporeans have come out in support of LOVE! I believe that there is nothing greater than love and I am proud to support Pink Dot in it's pursuit of love for ALL. A love that chooses not to discriminate but to embrace each other as fellow human beings with equal rights to live as people of love. To share our little island and indeed, our world, as brothers and sisters. I hope that this is something we can all be a part of and that we can all live each day in celebration of LOVE."

Brendon Fernandez:

"Do you have someone to love, who loves you back?

If you do, isn’t it wonderful, and don’t you wish everyone could have what you have?

If you don’t, do you want it, for yourself and those you care about?

Some things are the same no matter who or what we are. Everybody needs love.

I want to be at Pinkdot because I believe love is a right. A human right."

Pink Dot's NEW Video!

2009-05-07T13:37:00.004+08:00

In this video, straight Singaporeans from different walks of life come together to talk about the LGBT people in their lives.

Among the known faces are celebrity blogger Xiaxue, actress Pamela Oei, actors Lim Kay Siu and Lim Yu Beng, Dave Tan and Amanda Ling from local band Electrico, as well as Pink Dot's ambassadors Neo Swee Lin, Rosalyn Lee and Timothy Nga.

Music Track: Dreams of a Butterfly by Darren Ng