LGBT in Singapore (and the opposing forces)

What with the "wear white" campaign against Pink Dot 2014, and the hullabaloo over LGBT-friendly books in the National Library, the objecting parties against "normalising homosexuality" have grown in number and volume.  The debate has been heating up, in various forums, in mass and alternative media.  I have been both saddened and disheartened by this.

But.

It just occurred to me.  The voices against the LGBT community have grown louder. In response to the ever-increasing volume of the LGBT community and their supporters.  Which can only be a good thing, really.  With more debate comes more awareness.  With more awareness, hopefully comes more support.  Eventually, there might even be change.  For the better, for equality, for love.

I'm not holding my breath just yet, not here in Singapore with its antiquated ideals and laws.  Not with the Prime Minister saying "Why is [Section 377A] on the books? Because it's always been there and I think we just leave it."  (Which, ugh, angers me so much, but that's an argument for another day...) The same Prime Minister who thinks that "we have also been right to adapt, to accommodate homosexuals in our society, but not to allow or encourage activists to champion gay rights as they do in the West."  He also claims that "it's really best for us to just leave [gay rights issues] be, and just agree to disagree.  I think that's the way Singapore will be for a long time."

With The Powers That Be making such public declarations, what hope do we have?

We have plenty of hope.  We have more reason to hope than ever.  What with the colonial-era Section 377A being challenged in court, what with the Pink Dot movement growing in leaps and bounds, with noted Singapore celebrities speaking out (e.g. Ivan Heng, about his marriage to his partner of 18 years), we now have voices.  And our voices are being heard.  Not just in our tiny city-state, but around the world.

What a time to be alive!

Waves are being made.  The boat is being rocked.  The tide is turning.  The winds are changing.  The metaphors are being overused.

And the times, they are a-changin'.

Supporting the Freedom to Love

In 2011, I attended my first Pink Dot event. Last year, I attended the first Pink Dot light-up.

This year, I stood up with the biggest Pink Dot crowd since its inauguration, and I'm so very proud to be a part of this. I've been an unofficial volunteer, just showing up and helping Misstsy and others to give out fans, give out torches, give out pink cellophane paper and tape, pick up trash after the event...

5 years of Pink Dot, and I'm proud of the little progress we've made. Baby steps, people. Baby steps. We'll get there...eventually.

I was quoted in an online news article too, but I can't link to it here...because it uses my real name. ;)

no longer just a 'dot'

Everyone Deserves to Love and Be Loved

Today I stood up for the freedom to love, with 10,000 Singaporeans, and was surrounded by all kinds of awesome.

more of a pink blob than a dot

Pink Dot SG is a non-profit movement started by a group of individuals who care deeply about the place that LGBT Singaporeans call home. It is a group for everyone, straight and gay, who support the belief that everyone deserves the freedom to love. With openness and acceptance, we hope to bring LGBT Singaporeans closer to their family and friends. (from Pink Dot's facebook page)


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. (from Pink Dot's blog)

I don't expect attitudes to change overnight, for taboos and discrimination to be dissolved any time soon. But baby steps are being taken. The fact that support for Pink Dot SG has been increasing so much, that so much awareness is being created proves that. Today marked a page in Singapore's history, and I'm so glad to have been a part of it.