Recent events have caused much grief to many of us. Issues surrounding being LGBT are once again cast in the limelight and being discussed in the media. Hateful words have been used, disinformation has been spread as fact, and our leaders’ positions do not appear to be evolving. While many of us are understandably hurt, even angered, by some insensitive comments that have been made, and there is fear that justice and equality may not prevail, it is important that we stay rational and keep calm.
There will be little to be gained from responding to vitriol with more vitriol. In the words of Gandhi, “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.” Let us not devolve into the very image of the angry and intolerant, whose hearts and minds we ought to win over through love and kindness. Misinformation is best countered rationally, with facts.
At times like this, it is especially difficult for those of us who are not yet ‘out’ and feel like we are living with stigma on our own. The issue may be debated among our peers – at the workplace, in school or in National Service – or even with family members at home. It may be placing undue pressure on those of us who fear being ‘outed’ if we simply took a stand.
Remember, you are not alone. There is a strong community of people – straight and LGBT – who understand what you are going through. It is important that we lend support to one another at this difficult time. While the resources are few, they are available, thanks to the efforts of our own community. You can find links to some of them below.
Let us also keep reminding ourselves that the two constitutional challenges on Section 377a of the Penal Code are ultimately judicial processes. They are set to be heard in the Courts in a few weeks. We should allow Justice to run its course and respect the sanctity of the Judiciary. We urge the community to stay calm and await the court’s decision. May justice prevail.
Meanwhile let us continue to reach out in our own personal capacities to those around us, to demonstrate and affirm that who we love should not make us less equal as sons and daughters of Singapore. And when opportunities arise for us to come together, let us be sure to stand up and be counted.
(Written by Rev Miak Siew on Facebook, Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 5:33am. NB. The webmaster is unable to post or reply to any comments.)
Dear Pastor Khong,
I wrestled at length how to reply to your statement. I believe you spoke out from your own firm beliefs, and I respect your right to those beliefs and your right to speak up, even though I do not agree with you.
I want to point out several things you have brought up that need to be clarified. You are misrepresenting the truth.
You stated that “examples from around the world …have shown that the repeal of similar laws have led to negative social changes, especially the breakdown of the family as a basic building block and foundation of society.” Can you give me an example? And what do you mean by the breakdown of the family? Higher divorce rates? You see, you are repeating the rhetoric of the Christian Right in America. England, where we inherited Section 377A from, repealed their version of the law in 1967. I do not see the United Kingdom falling apart. The United States of America eliminated their laws in 2003. Australia, Fiji, Hong Kong, New Zealand and India inherited the same British law like us in Singapore have abolished theirs. These societies are not crumbling.
The idea that “the family unit comprises of a man as Father, a woman as Mother, and Children” is not biblical. As Dale Martin, the Woolsey Professor of Religious Studies at Yale University, writes, “Most Christians assume that the current centrality of marriage and family represents a long tradition in Christianity, it is actually about 150 years old. One could even make the argument that the current focus on the heterosexual nuclear family dates back only to the 1950s.”
Strong families are not defined by their composition. I know of many families that do not fit into your mould of “one man as the father, one woman as the mother, and their children.” I know families of single parents, families of grandchildren raised by their grandparents, families of couples without children – some by choice, some by circumstance. But what makes strong families is the love that binds them.
In the Gospels, when Jesus was told that his mother and his brothers wanted to see him, Jesus refused to identify with his traditional family and instead shared a new vision how what family means in the kin-dom of God. He said, “Whosoever does the will of God, that one is my brother and sister and mother.”
The repeal of 377A poses no threat to families bound together by love. It is the continued stigmatization of LGBT people that you are perpetuating that is a threat to families – because you have placed obstacles in how parents understand their children who are different, and create huge rifts in these families.
Your statement not only hurts and stigmatizes LGBT persons, but also people who do not fit in to your cookie cutter idea of a “traditional family”. You have made people who do not fit in – whether they are single parents, divorcees, or children who are orphaned, whose parents are not around by circumstance – ashamed of who they are.
I am saddened every time I counsel straight people who come to my church because they fear that their own pastors would reject them like how they reject LGBT persons. That instead of being a place of healing, love and forgiveness, their home church has become a hostile place of condemnation and judgement.
As an activist who fights for human rights and free speech – I believe that you have the right to say what you want to say, even if it challenges the status quo and make people feel uneasy. Free speech is not just my right to say what I want to say, but everybody’s right to say what they want to say. That also means that I must be willing to allow other people who disagree with me to have their right to say what they want. One of the ten commandments is not to bear false testimony against your neighbours – and in that spirit, I ask you to please desist in your claims that I am attacking your religious freedom, or your right to say what you want to say. I am doing neither. Free speech also has to be responsible and based on facts and the latest research.
When you speak against homosexuality, I only ask you to think of the psychological and emotional damage you inflict on LGBT persons and their families. As Rev. Steve Chalke, Senior Minister of Oasis Church, London, writes, “Why am I so passionate about this issue? Because people’s lives are at stake. Numerous studies show that suicide rates among gay people, especially young people, are comparatively high. Church leaders sometimes use this data to argue that homosexuality is unhealthy when tragically it’s anti-gay stigma, propped up by Church attitudes, which, all too often, drives these statistics.” So many LGBT persons are broken by what you say and driven away from their families and their communities. So many have attempted to take their own lives, and some, sadly, succeeded in doing so.
I would like to invite you to a dialogue, so that we can listen to one another, in love, in respect, and learn to understand each other better, so we can work together to build a better Singapore.
I attended my very first IndigNation fringe event yesterday. I mean, I’ve attended the ‘Pink Picnic’ for two years already (disappointingly, the crowd has been getting smaller and smaller with each passing year) but this year, since I won’t be able to attend the picnic (doing the patriotic thing of celebrating National Day overseas) I decided to attend one of the other events and this seemed promising.
On a minor note, the location was lovely and the crowd was pleasantly receptive and participative. But what I wanted to talk about here was the discussion topic and the stories I heard.
The topic of the night was about coming out, for those who have, who want to, who cannot and the hows and whys.
The three guest speakers, my friend Bian and two lovely ladies, Caryn & Jin-Ee, shared intimately and candidly their coming out stories (both premeditated and accidental) and the consequences of it. The stories were as varied as the ‘fallout’. I thoroughly enjoyed listening and reflecting on them. It wasn’t only them, the audience contribution was also food for MY thought. One in particular, a well put-together young malay lady shared about how her mum found her stash of ‘Weapons of Mass Distractions/Distruction (I was too busy laughing at the description that I missed out the actual words)’ (WMDs) i.e: her sex toys, and her secret lesbian stash (which incidently happened to me too about 5 years ago. No! I don’t have a secret lesbian stash but you get my meaning) and the awkwardness that followed.
But what she shared later, about the ‘Dont Ask, Don’t Tell’ situation at home, whereby her parents knew she was homosexual but they don’t speak about it, resonated with me a lot more. I am going through the same thing, I think my father knows (he’s had enough hints and encounters) but I think it’s either he is in denial or he doesn’t want to deal or talk about it. But I do get the feeling (I could be wrong) that he just wants to hear it from my own mouth. That’s my dad, he hates hearing gossip about his family from others and would very much prefer to hear it from you yourself. That’s how we got past the issue of my smoking when I was 20.
Another thing that stood out for me was one particular young man, straight, who brought up the issue of ‘the receiving end’. How do my straight friends react in a positive manner or how DO they react to begin with when the words ‘I’m gay.’ comes out of my mouth? My reactions have been varied – ‘I knew it all along.’, ‘No? Really?’, ‘Aaahhhh! OMG! I Love you for that!’, ‘And?’ and yes, I’ve had the smirks of disgust too. Needless to say, I lost friends who smirked but I gained better ones who hugged me and loved me regardless of who I chose to love. But I have been thinking, what on earth have I foisted on my straight friends and family with those words? *grins* I truly AM sorry if what I did made you uncomfortable in ANY way. I shall be more ‘discreet’ and ‘discerning’ in my coming out from now on.
But then again, these days, I can’t be bothered to ‘come out’. I mean, seriously, how does my sexual preference affect your relationship with me again? I am who I am. In jest, I always say, the only people who ask about my sexual orientation are those who want to take me to bed! :P
One last memorable comment, came from Caryn and seconded by an audience member. ‘Coming out’ applies when you live apart from your parents and family. With most Singaporeans, that is not the case. We live at home and we want to feel ‘at home’ at home. We don’t ‘come out’, we ‘come home’. I’m a homely person and I want to be comfortable at home. I want, very much, to come home.
It was a good night. I heard stories that mirrored mine. I heard stories that inspired me. I heard stories that made me reflect of my decision to come out to my dad, who I love the most and how it would affect him.
The moderator of the dialogue session, Valerie, said this, “The reaction that follows when we come out to our family stems from their love and their worry for OUR future in a very difficult landscape; that we might end up alone with no one to take care of us.’ My dad did say that once, how he was worried that at my age, I had no wife and no kids to look after me in my old age.
Attending this talk, was another major step in my life as a gay, muslim man. I have received words of encouragement from the community about how I have grown more mature and confident with each and every small step I take in time. To be honest, I feel that at this point, I cannot regress. I can only move forward to bigger and better things. It is with this hope that move forward and maybe, just maybe, meet someone who can hold my hand as we walk down this path together.
I’m 37 this year, incidentally, I’m out to some friends and to my sister. More recently, I came out to my two favourite aunts. The reaction has been positive thus far. Why don’t I come out to more people? I guess I think it’s my choice who I come out to. It is my hope someday, one day, to have my beloved dad at PinkDot with me. But I have to remember, what burden am I asking him to carry by telling him that I am gay?
Over the last seven years, IndigNation’s firmly established itself as an annual showcase of the gay community’s multi-facetedness. From talks to film screenings to illicit mass runs and flash mob picnics, Singapore’s homegrown Pride season has celebrated the visible and not-so-visible aspects of our country’s sexual minorities. For its eighth season, we’re throwing the spotlight on our heritage – of things, situations and places that are special to Singapore’s gay community, which we’ve inherited from the gay and transgendered women and men who came before us.
Come learn about the history that beats beneath the skin of things which we hold dear – like our Sunday night parties and cruising spots of the past. Explore with us the art and the sleaze, the haunts and the hangouts which are our very own. So keep these dates free: 3, 4, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 25 August! More information will be made available soon.
OVORIES {Our Very Own Residents, Immigrants, Expatriates in Singapore}: The OVORIES project is an online collection of anecdotes, stories and personal reflections of LGBT people in Singapore. If you have migrated or relocated to Singapore from another country, we are very interested to hear from you. We are hoping to know how is living, working or studying in Singapore similar or different for you as a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person. Tell us if it has been better or worse off, if you are more privileged or being discriminated in one way or another compared to the country or city that you have come from. Share your experiences with people like us as a part of the transient and migrant voices of Singapore. You can either post your stories in the reply box on the OVORIES webpage or write directly to ovories@gmail.com. Do state your country of origin and anonymous entries are also welcome! (17 July 2012)
IndigNation would like express gratitude to The Arts House, Prof Brian Bergen-Aurand, Mr Chong Li-Chuan, the Media Development Authority, Earshot Cafe, Fridae.asia, Goethe Institute, Viet Lang Restaurant and Theatreworks for their warm support throughout the 7th season.5-13 August 2011 The Arts House, Dahlia Gallery and 72-13 Md Sultan Rd
Fri-Sun/5-7
Sun /7
Tue /8
Wed /9
Afternoon
Sayoni Sports Weekend
Pink Picnic
7-9pm
Retreattack Art Exhibition Opening
Gala Concert / Reception
Films
9-11pm
Films
Wed /10
Fri /12
Sat /13
Afternoon
Women’s Forum / Youth forum
7-9pm
Films
Films
ContraDiction @ 72-13
9-11pm
Films
Films
5-7 August: Sayoni’s Sports Weekend
Sayoni is hosting a Sports Weekend for all sports enthusiasts and anyone who just wants to play games! Activities range from bowling, basketball, badminton to volleyball and ultimate frisbee. Form your own teams or just sign up and get ready to engage in some healthy fun! More info at www.sayoni.com.
RetreAttack! is the second installment of rainbowartsproject’s annual “RA” visual art exhibition for the IndigNation festival. This year, 13 local and regional artists will be presenting works under the theme of camouflage. Participating artists will be exploring the phenomena of coming out yet at the same time keeping low profile, or even hiding, which is apparent within the LGBT community. Indeed we are proud, but is there a need to publicly showcase our sexuality or simply living the life as any other people out there? Works presented will answer and question this issue, provoking new thoughts and discussion about the word “pride” itself. Participating artists are Alam Taslim, Darren Sim, Ezzam Rahman, Farah Ong, Guo Yi Xiu, Hangga Diputra, Kelvin Atmadibrata, Lee Gwo Yinn, Norm Yip, Sarah Choo, Thatree Suksilapachai and Vincent Chow. (http://www.rainbowartsproject.wordpress.com/)
8/10/12 August: IndigNation Film Festival @ The Arts House Screening Room
Old Gaze, New Muse: featuring local filmmaker Lincoln Chia and composer Chong Li-Chuan, click here for more information.
9 August: The unofficial Pink Picnic @ Botanica Gardens
Pack your picnic basket and come dress in pink to commemorate another year of being proud!
13 August: Love Addict by OC Women @ 72-13, 1pm
Join us for a passionate afternoon to discover and discuss
Your relationship with relationships and what love means to you
The crazy things that women do for love
Stages of development in a lesbian relationship
How to sustain meaningful relationships
Signs of an unhealthy relationship and what you can do
More information and registration details are available here.
13 August: Proud to be ME! by SgRainbow @ 72-13, 4pm
There are many forms of youth activism: some demand for political changes while others do it for the social good – by the community for the community. The Youth Forum: Proud to Be ME! is a one-off informal talk session by a panel of youths from very different backgrounds but share the same vision – to be part of the growing community. Through this forum, we hope that gay and bisexual youths can talk about their experiences as “activists”, as well as share what they wish for the future of the younger generation. All other age-groups are welcome to join us.(http://www.sgrainbow.blogspot.com/)
13 August: ContraDiction @ 72-13, 7.30pm
Our annual queer literary reading is back! Prepare for a sumptuous salon with Singapore’s most talented new GLBT writers, curated by Ng Yi-Sheng, Jasmine Seah and Amanda Lee.
Featured artists include singer/songwriters Iris Judotter and Roy Lim, poets Teng Qian Xi and Mika Yamaji, playwrights Joel Tan and Drayton Hiers, author/artist Tania de Rozario, slammers Stephanie Chan, Atiqah Lukman and Deborah Emmanuel, and Golden Point Award winner Jeremy Samuel Tiang. Hosted by drag queen Becca de Bus, refreshments included. Facebook us here.
(N.B.: We haven’t gotten our rating yet, but the event’s almost always rated R18 by MDA. Deal with it.)_________________________________________________________________________________________________
IndigNation, the Singapore Pride Season turns 7 this year and continues to be the main avenue in Singapore for public expression by LGBT-identified people in both artistic and social fora. Through sharing and outreach, it engages with the mainstream public and raises awareness about LGBT culture in everyday life.
Pink Dot poses some serious questions to the current programming director, Jun Zubillaga-Pow, and finds out more about his aspirations for the festival.
[Q&A]
How did the idea for IndigNation come about?
Having been with the festival for only three years, I learnt that it was initiated by the civil group PLU. 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.
Our modus operandi is to introduce ourselves to the nation as people of multifarious lifestyles and vocations. For the previous two IndigNations, we have worked closely with the corresponding agencies and situate ourselves amidst the changing Singaporean populace so much so that sexual orientation becomes subcutaneous to the things that the government and we ourselves do to serve the nation, of which the LGBT community is a part of.
How do you think IndigNation helps the LGBT community in Singapore?
IndigNation allows for a certain space and time to embrace this diversity that we have in our neoliberal Singaporean society. Who doesn’t like a mass gathering of the like-minded?! Human beings are the more communal of animals and this character trait needs to be acknowledged, as is the purpose of assemblies, conventions, expositions and festivals. In fact, IndigNation as the Singapore Pride Season continues to draw the numerous LGBT communities closer, as reflected in our previous themes of ‘Building Bridges’ and ‘Living Together’.
Has any notable/prominent works spun out of previous Indignations?
First and foremost, friendships and romances have blossomed, that is if you consider these to be the work of human nature. Otherwise, the many creations and ideas have been encast into firm knowledge and we are eagerly awaiting the publication of two new volumes of academic essays. More specifically, the recently-staged play W.C. by Irfan Kasban was first read at ContraDiction, the Singapore Men’s Chorus, who were also involved, had their fan-base expanded, and the works of our talented filmmakers were given additional exposure during the IndigNation Film Festival and are doing well internationally.
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. For fraternal integration, we are 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!
LATEST: IndigNation would like to acknowledge the sponsorship of Fridae, 72-13 and Sagami, and the use of Oogachaga’s sound system and Free Community Church’s projector. We are now on FACEBOOK and look forward to seeing you all at Singapore Pride 2011!!!
<Living Together>同在屋檐下
(Singapore Pride continues to rely on volunteers to manage our events. Please contact us at pluadmin at gmail dot com if you would like to join the team.)
1 AugIndigNation Opening Act: Rooftop Access @ My Art Space, 21 Tanjong Pagar Rd, #04-01, 7-9pm (Due to space constraint, this is an ‘invitation only’ event.)
Rooftop Access is a showcase of contemporary artworks done by 8 of Singapore’s brightest LGBT artists, who will represent themes closely related to the LGBT community. Via photography, installation, paintings and mixed media works, Kelvin Atmadibrata, Marla Bendini, Jeremy Chu, Aiman Hakim, Tricia Leong, Andrew Robert Ng, Peenut, Ezzam Rahman, Tara Tan and Samuel Woo will share with us their artistic vision for the community. Joining them are 4 renown Malaysian artists Jerome Kugan, Boh Jun Kit, Pang Kee Teik and Shieko, who will be sharing with us their artistic perspectives from across the causeway. So, come under one roof to support the creations of our young talents! The exhibition runs till 10 August and is opened daily from 10am to 10pm.
1-15 Aug SGRainbow: I Wish A Wish
After the crowning of a new Ambassador last July, SGRainbow presents to you I Wish A Wish, a youth-initiated campaign in collaboration with Unique Vandalism. This campaign empowers youths by letting them voice out their views and thoughts as being part of the GLBT community. Who knows, your wish might come true. So, find out more about the campaign HERE.
5-15 Aug ”February 25, 1986. Philippines” @ Utterly Art, 229A South Bridge Road
New York-based Filipino painter Dominic Mañgila presents a group of paintings that depict events that had led to Ferdinand Marcos leaving the Malacanang Palace and conceding to Corazon Aquino as the President of the Philippines on February 25, 1986.
Mañgila’s artistic process involves the construction of Philippine history paintings through an amalgamation of research and collection of historical records; juxtaposition, alteration and appropriation of photographic images that represent an historic event; and internalization of a witness’ assumed and imagined interiority of mind and invasion of the witness’ privacy of experience.
7 Aug Come make friends! @ The Mind Cafe, 68 Boat Quay, 7-10pm
For the first time IndigNation is bringing more fun and interaction into our festival. If you like playing board games and want to meet like-minded GLBTS (S=straight) people, come along to this event at The Mind Cafe. Get to know one another and develop long lasting friendships within the community. There is a limited capacity of 25 persons and cost $25 per pax for a sumptuous dinner and interactive games. Email pluadmin@gmail.com to reserve your place now! Don’t miss this opportunity to widen your circle of friends!
8 Aug Two Queens Pre-holiday Party @ Play / Featuring DJ Amy van de Beuven
9 Aug Pink Picnic @ Botanica Gardens
Partake in our annual and non-official ritual of gathering all things pink and litter them onto the strawberry fields as you wait for the F16s to swoosh across the sky. Bring a pink brolly to show your pride!
10-12 Aug IndigNation Pride Film Festival @ Sinema Old School, 11B Mt Sophia (All screenings are rated R21)
Yossi and Jagger יוסי וג’אגר
Dir: Eytan Fox | Israel | Romance | 2002 | 67 minutes | Hebrew (with English subtitles)
10 Aug: 7.00pm (Post-film discussion with Ms Idit Abu, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Israel)
12 Aug: 9.00pm (To be screened with ”Devotee” (43min) by Remi Lange)
The film “Yossi and Jagger” is proudly sponsored by the Embassy of Israel in Singapore.
Drifting Flowers 漂浪青春
Dir: Zero Chou | Taiwan | Drama | 2008 | 97 minutes | Mandarin/Hokkien (with English subtitles)
11 Aug: 7.00pm
12 Aug: 7.00pm
12 Aug Fridae Forum: Conversations about HIV acceptance in Singapore’s LGBT community, 7-9pm@72-13
Living Together is a community movement founded on the simple premise, “we’re already living together”. Regardless of whether you are HIV negative, positive, or unknown HIV status, we already live amongst one another, a part of our shared community. HIV touches all of us, whether personally, or as friends, family and lovers, so why should we talk about “breaking down barriers” when there are none? With Living Together, we believe in the power of positivity. We are building a social movement to promote Living Together as a reality as we move forward.
13 Aug Sisters In Solidarity, 7-9pm@72-13
Futility of stealth,
confidence in the real world…
what if my parents knew…
Is this cocktail of HRT going to kill me?
I am beautiful
but I am not ‘passable’.
Strength
in all the adversity:
empower yourself…
A sharing session for transgendered, transsexual, crossdresser, intersexed, sistas … community. This is not a talk. Feel free to just drop in and listen but we would love for you to come forth and share your experiences and knowledge. Sisters sitting in a circle, Sisters in Solidarity. Please direct enquiries to endtransgenderdiscrimination@gmail.com.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the book launch by Alfian Sa’at is postponed. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Pink Dot started out as a grassroots initiative at a town hall meeting, where a group of people gathered to discuss the possibility of organising a Hong Lim Park event in support of LGBT Singaporeans. What transpired were 2 consecutive years of social campaigns that have reached thousands of Singaporeans, straight and gay.
This year at IndigNation, we want to know how successful have the campaigns been. What else can be done to make the event more meaningful and what do we hope to see in Pink Dot 2011? We invite you to put on your pink-tinted glasses for an afternoon of crystal ball gazing at the Pink Dot Town Hall.
14 Aug Believe by OC Women and Sayoni , 6-9pm @ 72-13, $10 (recommended donation)
OC Women, in conjunction with Sayoni, presents a three-part series for queer women/women who love women:
BE(e): Believe | Beloved | Beyond
The bumblebee was never designed for flight. But miraculously, against all odds it does fly! Queer women today face many unique challenges in their lives – despite all odds, how do we overcome them and live happy, independent and free? Come and fly with us, and hear from other women. Exchange experiences on how to cope with challenges in our lives, our relationships, and plan for the future.
Believe – Being and Believing in our selves, is the first in the BE(e) trilogy; Beloved takes place on 9 October and Beyond is on 4 December. BE(e) Special: sign up for all three sessions as a package, for a special rate of $25!
15 Aug VolunQueers Out & About Guided Tour: Sentosa Reef & Cliff Walk, 8am@ Seah Im Food Centre (next to Harbour Front MRT)
What are gastropods and sargassum? Where can you see wild carnivorous pitcher plants in Singapore? What else is there at Sentosa apart from cable cars a casino? Following on from last year’s “I’m a VolunQueer!” forum and the fully-booked nature walk at Sungai Buloh Wetland Reserve, Bian Tan, an experienced volunteer nature guide, will conduct a guided walk of the last remaining natural coastline on Sentosa, that includes a coral reef, coastal forest and colourful sandstone cliffs. Prepare to see amazing biodiversity given this location is at the doorstep of the third busiest port in the world!
The group will leave the food centre promptly at 8.30am, & is unable to wait for late-comers. The reasonably low tide is at 8.45am and the beach is quite narrow, so our window of opportunity is rather limited. Or else we risk getting caught by the incoming tide. So please come earlier and have breakfast at the food centre, which serves excellent local food. The whole tour will take approximately 2 – 3 hrs, depending on how much ground the tide allows us to cover. The tour is conducted free of charge, but the bus to Sentosa will cost $2 one-way per person. You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes or sandals with closed toes for exploring the tide pools (and in case we have to, or want to, negotiate stretches of rocks). Yes, you will want to get your shoes wet to see the interesting creatures! Remember to bring snacks & drinking water, as well as sunscreen, hat and a camera.
The group size is limited to 18 people, so please register your interest by sending an email to biantan@yahoo.com before 8 August. For more information about Singapore’s wild shores, including Sentosa, visit: http://www.wildsingapore.com/places/sentosa.htm
15 Aug Rascal Symposium: Religions and Sexualities, 4-6pm@72-13 (private event; registration required)
2009 Rascal Special Award recipient, Jun Zubillaga-Pow, will discuss the work of Andrew K.T. Yip (United Kingdom) and S.T. Ponni (India).
In this closed-door discussion, he will present some selective reflections from empirical research in the United Kingdom and India, on two areas: (i) the lives of Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists LGBTS and their attitudes towards sexuality, and (ii) the intersection of Transgenderism in Hinduism with respect to a personal identity via institutional norms and values in India.
A sociological approach is used to understand how LGBTS obtain and exchange information on issues concerning their everyday lives in this digital revolution world. On the whole, this talk speculates the survival topology of LGBT people in a neo-con climate.
15 Aug ContraDiction SIX, 7-9pm@72-13 (R18 homosexual themes)
Our annual queer literary reading is back! Curated and hosted by Ng Yi-Sheng, this year’s edition will feature writers such as poet Joel Tan, fiction writer O Thiam Chin, songwriter Amanda Tee and (hetero) guest stars Bani Haykal and Michaela Therese.
