Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 10:34PMIF YOU LIKE OUR BLOG, PLEASE SHARE
Over 10,000 supporters of the Freedom to Love turn Hong Lim Park Pink, for Pink Dot 2011
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.”
More about Pink Dot Sg 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. Why Pink? Because it is a blend of red and white – the colour of Singapore’s flag. It is also the colour of our national identification cards. More importantly, Pink Dot Sg stands for a Singapore in which all Singaporeans, regardless of their sexual orientation, are free to love and be loved.
Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 5:57PMIF YOU LIKE OUR BLOG, PLEASE SHARE
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*
Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 10:34PM
