18/06/2022

Pink Dot 2022

Pink Dot 14, 2022

Update 29 Nov 2022: Singapore repeals Section 377A
The Singapore Parliament voted to repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalises gay sex among men. (FILE PHOTOS: Yahoo News Singapore)

The Singapore Parliament voted on Tuesday (29 November) to repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code, a colonial-era law which criminalises gay sex between men.

It also voted to endorse amendments to the Constitution to protect the current definition of marriage from legal challenge. The repeal of 377A saw 93 Members of Parliament voting in favour of the move. Workers' Party MPs Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC) and Dennis Tan (Hougang), as well as Nominated MP Hoon Hian Teck, voted against the repeal.

The constitutional amendment saw 85 MPs vote in favour. Progress Singapore Party's Non-Constituency MPs Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa voted against the amendment, while WP's Sylvia Lim and He Ting Ru abstained. Nominated MPs are not allowed to vote on constitutional amendments.


PINK DOT 14: THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE

Singapore’s landmark LGBTQ+ rally will return to Hong Lim Park on 18 June 2022 after two years of online-only events. “We’re excited to return home to Hong Lim Park. The feelings of kinship and community is something we’ve all missed dearly during the last two years, especially after how difficult the pandemic has been for us, and our disappointing loss of the 377A constitutional challenge,” said Pink Dot SG spokesperson Clement Tan.

The 14th edition of Pink Dot SG will harken back to its roots with a daytime dot, inviting participants to write messages of hope and change on physical placards. In response to the government’s promise that it will review its policies to reflect shifts in social attitudes, Pink Dot will call on participants to collectively envision what a more inclusive future could look like. “Change can only come through collective action. We hope that people will show up, stand together with the community, and speak up for the change they want to see in Singapore”, said Mr Tan.

In accordance with local regulations, the event will welcome Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. All entrants are required to provide proof of vaccination at entry points. To be considered fully vaccinated, they must have received their primary vaccination series, along with a booster jab within 270 days of the last dose. As participants will be outdoors, they are not required to wear face masks and will be allowed to enjoy picnics with family and friends. They will also be treated to the Pink Dot Concert, which includes performances by groups like Singapore Drag Royalty. The Community Tent, a mainstay at every Pink Dot event since 2012, will convene LGBTQ+ groups this year. These organisations provide year-round support and have been critical to the well-being of the community over the course of the pandemic. Participants are encouraged to visit the groups to engage with community leaders, gain access to resources, and learn more about LGBTQ+ issues in Singapore.


Pink Fest 2022
MP for Sengkang GRC, Jamus Lim from the Workers' Party also attended the event in his personal capacity, the first opposition MP to do so

On Saturday, 18 June 2022, a crowd of thousands gathered to welcome Pink Dot back to Speakers' Corner and to show their enthusiasm for the in-person event after a hiatus of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic during which only virtual online rallies were held[4],[5]. The organisers were “encouraged” by the number of people who came to the event and were glad that it could be run physically that year despite the "rushed" planning since the Covid-19 rules were relaxed. They wanted to “drive home” the theme of the changes they wanted to see in the community and called on participants to speak out on the issues that affected the community, especially if they were struggling with discrimination and prejudice.

As early as around 3pm, Hong Lim Park was already considerably packed with long queues forming as many waited to enter the area and participate in the festivities. Capacity limits for all events were removed on 26 April 2022 as Singapore eased Covid-19 restrictions in a move to live with the coronavirus. But as with all events over 500 persons, participants had to show proof of vaccination and scan a SafeEntry code after queuing to enter the park. Like past rallies, they also had to show a photo identification to confirm that they were Singaporeans or permanent residents, and their bags were searched as part of security measures. One of the attendees, aged 33, said that the queue was definitely very long, but it was fairly well-organised. He added: "I was very surprised that nobody attempted to cut the line. Everyone was in high spirits despite the very hot weather.”

At 5pm, snaking queues continued to be spotted as more people gathered for the concert scheduled to begin at 5pm. Some individuals were even spotted standing at the pedestrian bridges. The area around the main stage was almost entirely occupied, with most either seated on picnic mats or reclining on foldable chairs. The year's rally called on participants to envision what an inclusive Singapore would look like for them, to speak out about the issues that impacted the LGBT community and to call for change by writing on placards. Similar to past events, most attendees were dressed in various shades of pink with some donning elaborate pink-themed costumes. Others waved rainbow flags and held up pink balloon. One dog was also spotted resting on a rainbow flag.


Here’s how (and why!) we should celebrate Pink Dot 2022 with our kids

For the first time in two years, Pink Fest and Pink Dot are back with physical events for Pride Month in June! Pink Dot SG has served as a safe space for the Singapore LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) community since 2009, with its annual bash in Hong Lim Park. It’s always a joyous day filled with performances, fun activities, and lots of pink that puts a Singapore spin on Pride celebrations that take place around the world during June. While Pink Dot is traditionally limited to only Singaporeans and permanent residents due to government regulations around the use of Hong Lim Park, there are many other ways for everyone to participate in Pink Dot and celebrate pride month this year.

Pride Month is about “being able to be fully who you are, no matter who you are,” says Eliza Byard of the non-profit advocacy network GLSEN told Mashable. “When you let your child experience you talking about that, it may give them permission to be who they are.” Family participation is so crucial, as Pink Dot’s organisers point out, because for so many LGBTQ individuals in Singapore “familial relationships often get compromised due to a lack of understanding.” A big part of Pink Dot is getting people to think about the issues commonly faced by the LGBTQ community, both inside and outside of their families, with a goal of promoting understanding and unity amongst family and friends.

Even if no one in your family identifies as LGBTQ, explaining Pink Dot and its significance can help to reduce and eliminate anti-LGBT prejudice, and demonstrates to your kids the importance of being an ally (crucial here, as in the fight against racism). Just as it is important to talk to children about race from a very early age, so you can talk to your kids about LGBTQ+ identity. It needn’t be framed as a conversation about sexuality, but rather on being able to love whomever we choose, and to feel happy and confident in our own identity. Think about what concepts your kids are familiar with – such as love, family members, friends, fairness – and also consider what you would like your child to value. Identity? Respect? Diversity? Standing up against discrimination, racism, homophobia, and transphobia? For a wealth of resources presented in a local context (and four languages), be sure to check out Congregaytion.


Pink Dot

We'll likely be seeing an illuminated sea of pink at Hong Lim Park again this year. Singapore's landmark pride celebration, Pink Dot, is making a return to Speakers' Corner following its reopening after a two-year closure.

The event space at Hong Lim Park has been closed since circuit breaker restrictions were imposed in April 2020. During that period, Pink Dot has had to swap its Hong Lim Park spot for special livestreams via its online platforms. This saw the local LGBTQ community and straight allies celebrating all-inclusive love from home – with digital messages of support, a digital pink dot, and houses across the island lighting up in pink hues.

Pink Dot organisers have confirmed that they will return on June 18 and 19 this year. The main rally will happen on the 18th – the day for you to break out your best pink gear, picnic mats and enjoy a day of celebration and solidarity. You can also expect to enjoy the Pink Dot Concert, which will include performances from the likes of Singapore Drag Royalty. At the Community Tent, you can also meet with various LGBTQ+ groups to meet community leaders, access resources, and learn more about issues affecting LGBTQ+ individuals in Singapore.

Not forgetting the main message: that the LGBTQ+ community is and deserves a place in Singapore society – the Pink Dot organisers also invites all attendees to write messages of hope and change on physical placards, culminating in the crowning 'pink dot' light up towards the end of the rally. And on June 19, Pink Dot will return to Hong Lim Park in an all-new programme that will allow LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to demand change from political actors. 


Pink Dot SG 2022
Member of Parliament (MP) Henry Kwek, from the People's Action Party (PAP) and MP Jamus Lim of the largest opposition Workers' Party (WP)

The 14th Pink Dot in 2022 was initially planned to be held over two days on 18 and 19 June,[95] but the organisers ultimately decided to host it as a single day on just 18 June, marking its return as a physical event since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Being a large scale event held during a pandemic, additional safety measures such as providing proof of vaccination and scanning the contact tracing SafeEntry code were in place.

Unlike previous physical events, the pink dot formation involved white umbrellas and pink placards, and participants could write messages on these placards. A webpage was also set up for people to upload pink light-up pictures in support. Notable attendees include Member of Parliament (MP) Henry Kwek, which according to organisers was the first time an MP from the governing People's Action Party (PAP) attended the Pink Dot event. MP Jamus Lim of the largest opposition Workers' Party (WP) was also present at the event.

Held from 3pm to 7pm, Pink Dot SG 2022 featured a concert with local acts, including singer Preeti Nair, dance group Limited Edition, and drag performance group Singapore Drag Royalty

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Pink Dot SG
Aerial photograph of the inaugural Pink Dot event held on Saturday, 16 May 2009 at Hong Lim Park.

Pink Dot SG, (more commonly referred to simply as Pink Dot) was held on Saturday, 16 May 2009.

It was Singapore's historic, first open air LGBT-supportive event. It established a record for the greatest number of participants to turn up for any congregation at Speakers' Corner, Hong Lim Park since the latter's inception.

The landmark gathering was accorded extensive coverage in the international and local media. In the years to come, similar eponymous events based on the original concept, values and messaging of Pink Dot would be held in cities all around the world.


Pink Dot SG
The LGBT community converging at Hong Lim Park in Singapore for Pink Dot SG in 2014

Pink Dot SG, known exonymously as Pink Dot, is an event that has occurred annually since 2009 in support of the LGBT community in Singapore. Attendees of Pink Dot events gather to form a "pink dot" to show support for inclusiveness, diversity and the freedom to love in the country. Pink Dot events typically include concert performances and booths sponsored by organizations that support the LGBT community and cause in addition to the event's name-brand formation.

The success of Pink Dot in Singapore has inspired similar events in several other countries, leading to the event to become known as Pink Dot SG — SG being an initialism for Singapore. It has been held each year in Singapore from 2009 to 2019 at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park on a Saturday in the months of May, June or July. The 2020 and 2021 editions were held as online livestreams, in view of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 edition was held in-person once again in June.

In September 2008, the rules governing activities conducted at Singapore's Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park were relaxed, allowing demonstrations organised by Singaporeans to be held at the park, providing that all participants are either citizens or permanent residents. This allowed the first Pink Dot SG event to take place at the Speakers' Corner on 16 May 2009. A total of nine Pink Dot events have been held in Singapore, occurring annually on Saturdays in May, June or July. Many organisations around the world modeled LGBT events after the Pink Dot concept, often borrowing the "Pink Dot" prefix. For distinction, the Singapore events became known as Pink Dot SG. The design of the Pink Dot SG mascot "Pinkie", a personification of the pink dot, was provided by graphic designer Soh Ee Shaun.

Pink Dot SG
Straits Times article dated 25 September 2008

Pink Dot SG is a non-profit movement started by a group of disparate individuals. Dr Roy Tan, a medical practitioner with a passionate interest in archiving the history of Singapore's LGBT community, wanted to take advantage of the liberalisation, with effect from 1 September 2008, of rules governing activities that could be conducted at Speakers’ Corner, Hong Lim Park. He initially registered with the National Parks Board to stage a traditional pride parade on Saturday, 15 November 2008. The LGBT community's immediate response to the idea of a pride parade held in Singapore was less than encouraging. Tan’s promotion of the event on SiGNeL, a local LGBT mailing list, largely drew a blank. Slightly frustrated, he resolved to conduct a one-man pride parade with himself as the only person marching if it boiled down to that as he was determined to set a precedent that would facilitate the organisation of such events in the future. There was a real fear amongst closeted individuals that participating in a parade would be indirectly outing themselves to the world, especially with the intense media coverage that such a groundbreaking development in the conservative republic was expected to attract. Moreover, a pride parade was traditionally a form of protest and Singaporeans had become conditioned to being averse to protest marches after decades of authoritarian rule. As such, other community activists were concerned that the event might not gain the larger mainstream public acceptance that was its aim. Pink Dot SG evolved in the ensuing months out of brainstorming discussions by key stakeholders, rustled up by Tan with the help of his friend Dominic Chua.

The novel concept of forming a giant pink dot itself, never before employed in any LGBT-supportive event in the world, was the brainchild of Pink Dot organising committee member and Fridae's Chinese section editor Choo Lip Sin. However, it must be mentioned that the first activist-inspired public gathering of people dressed in pink was organised by Miak Siew and took place 1 year earlier, in 2007, during the Pink Picnic held at the Botanic Gardens during the third year of IndigNation, Singapore's LGBT pride month. Also, Bian Tan was the first person to suggest on SiGNeL that a gathering of people togged out in pink would have more broad-based appeal than a gay pride parade. The rationale was that a mixed crowd of both straight and LGBT participants dressed the same way to support a cause would circumvent the problem of outing oneself as it would mean that just because one was seen at the event, this would not necessarily signify that one was gay. The design of the Pink Dot mascot, affectionately named "Pinkie", was later provided pro bono by straight graphic designer Soh Ee Shaun. Soh's help was solicited by Dominic Chua, a personal friend of his. The crafting of the PR-friendly slogan "Support the Freedom to Love", which was a concerted attempt to move away from using the word "rights" and which later gained widespread currency both locally and internationally, was the work of Ash Lim. Dr Stuart Koe, CEO of Fridae.com, generously agreed to making his immensely popular and socially responsible LGBT portal Pink Dot's first corporate sponsor. Koe provided website information technology, creative, marketing and logistics support, the use of the Fridae office for meetings, and at least $2,000 to get the inaugural event off the ground.

Prior to September 2008, Pink Dot would have been an illegal event, with the police regarding it as a form of demonstration in violation of the rules governing the use of the Speakers' Corner. For 8 years since its inception in 2000, users of Speakers' Corner were required to register themselves at the police post and were prohibited from employing any audio amplification equipment or conducting themselves in a manner which may be deemed a public protest or demonstration. The status quo changed on 1 September 2008 when the Government decided to relax the rules to allow for protests, demonstrations and self-powered sound systems, all made permissible by just a simple online registration with the National Parks Board (NParks). However, this newfound right was secured through years of effort by activists to open up political space and to persuade Singaporeans to accept the idea of peaceful protests. It took arrests, fines and prison sentences suffered by activists, in particular Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) leader Dr Chee Soon Juan. Chee made a decision in 1999 to risk imprisonment by embarking on a long-drawn campaign of civil disobedience to bring the government to bear for its refusal to honour its citizens' rights to free speech and assembly.


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