SINGAPORE GOES PINK!

BY IZAD SALEH ALI

The count down is on! With only hours to go before Pink Dot 2011 takes to Singapore’s Speaker's Corner, organisers are fervently making final touches to what is the most highly-anticipated event in the country’s LGBT event calendar.

 

This Saturday, June 18, 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, regardless of sexual orientation.

 

With the country fresh out of a hotly contested General Election, amid the feeling of a new-found confidence among Singaporeans to discuss controversial issues more openly, organisers are expecting a larger turn-out.

 

2,500 people turned out for the inaugural event in 2009. Last year, this number nearly doubled, to 4,000.

 

During the election, people who previously didn't dare to go for rallies and speak up are now more liberal and vocal with their views. People who were scared to be seen previously have hopefully – because of what’s happened at the Elections – been awakened, and are now braver to support us.

 

But we are nonetheless pulling out all the stops to get the message across. Utilising digital and social networking platforms, they seeded videos on YouTube, engaged audiences on Facebook and Twitter, and engaged with other LGBT and LGBT-friendly community organisations in Singapore.

 

Certainly, the lead-up has been positive. Pink Dot’s official Campaign Video, directed by acclaimed local director Boo Junfeng, had tugged the heartstrings of viewers, generating an astounding 200,000 hits in the four short weeks since it was first uploaded to YouTube. People overseas have also caught on to the campaign, and are themselves organising their own local editions of Pink Dot – New York, London, Montreal, even as far as Anchorage, Alaska.

 

As if that wasn’t exciting enough, 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.

 

Indeed, the dot seems set to grow even bigger this year, a testament to not just the growing acceptance and awareness among Singaporeans, but also to the hard work and commitment to this small group of volunteer organisers. It is still early days yet, but it is clear that the seeds of change are already beginning to germinate, and we can expect a more loving, more inclusive, Singapore, in the near future.

 

If you happen to be in Singapore...

WHAT: PINK DOT 2011

WHERE: Hong Lim Park, Singapore

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*

 

For more information:

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