Pink Dot SG

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The LGBT community converging at Hong Lim Park in Singapore, for the inaugural Pink Dot Sg in 2009.

Pink Dot SG is an annual, non-profit movement, free-for-all event which started in 2009, in support of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in Singapore. Attendees of the Pink Dot SG events gather to form a giant pink dot in a show of support for inclusiveness, diversity and the freedom to love.[1]

History

In September 2008, the rules governing activities that can be conducted at the Singapore's Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park was relaxed. It became possible to hold demonstrations at the park, provided that they are organized by Singapore citizens and the participants are only citizens and permanent residents.[2][3][4] The first Pink Dot SG event took place at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park on May 16, 2009.

The design of the Pink Dot SG mascot was provided graphic designer Soh Ee Shaun.[5]

The Events

Pink Dot SG 2009

Pink Dot SG 2009 was held on Saturday, 16 May 2009, was Singapore's first open-air, LGBT-supportive event. It established the record for the greatest number of participants to turn up for any gathering at Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park since the latter's inception. It was given extensive coverage in the international and local media.[6]

Local celebrities stood as ambassadors of the event, namely actor Timothy Nga, actress Neo Swee Lin & radio DJ Rosalyn Lee.[7]

The highlight of the event was the formation of the titular Pink Dot. Preceding that were 2 smaller formations by several dozen people of the words ‘LOVE’ and '4All'.[8]

Pink Dot SG 2009 ended with participants coming together to form the giant Pink Dot.[9] It was deemed by news reports as a milestone for the LGBT community in Singapore.[10]

Media coverage for Pink Dot SG 2009 was garnered locally on The Straits Times, and TODAY newspaper. However, the turn out numbers reported by the local media were inconsistent with the 2,500 attendance estimated by the organisers: The Straits Times reported a turn out of 1,000, and TODAY reported "at least 500". The event also received significant international coverage from the BBC[11] and the New York Times[12] with reports being syndicated to various publications around the world through wire services Associated Press,[13] and Agence France-Presse.[14]

Pink Dot SG 2010

Pink Dot 2010, under the campaign theme "Focusing on Our Families",[15] was held on Saturday, 15 May at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park. A new record turnout of 4,000 people gathered at the speakers' corner to form a giant pink dot. Unlike the disputed number in 2009, the reported turn out of 4,000 people was consistently reported by the organisers and the various local media outlets.

The event also received video coverage from the local media, namely, Channel News Asia. The Sunday Times also carried an article with a photograph of the event.[16] Similar to Pink Dot SG 2009, the international media including the British Broadcasting Corporation, Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse showed widespread on the event.[17]

Local celebrities who stood as ambassadors of the event were namely actor Adrian Pang, actress Tan Kheng Hua & DJ Bigkid.[18]

Pink Dot SG 2011

Pink Dot SG 2011 was held on Saturday, 18 June at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park. It was the first that that Pink Dot SG 2011 was featured as an event in "Time Out Singapore" with a fill article devoted to it. An article about the event was also published on CNNGo to advertise Pink Dot SG 2011.[19] Google Singapore was the official supporter of the event, the first multi-national company in Singapore to do so.

This was also the first time the event flew under a theme song, "I Want To Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles.[20] The local musical cabaret trio, the Dim Sum Dollies made an appearance as the official ambassadors of the event.[21]

A record of more than 10,000 people thronged Hong Lim Park to form the pink dot, the largest turnout at the Speakers' Corner to date since its opening in 2000. Pink Dot SG 2011 was widely reported in the mainstream media, with coverage by The Straits times, Yahoo! Singapore, Lianhe Zaobao, ChannelNews Asia and other international media agencies.[22] An aerial shot of Pink Dot SG was also featured on xinmsn news for June's "2011 Year in Pictures" under the category of politics.[23]

The event spurred the organisation of international renditions of Pink Dot in locations like Utah, New York, Hong Kong, Anchorage and Koahsiung.

Pink Dot SG 2012

Pink Dot 2012, under the campaign "Someday"[24] was held on Saturday, 30 June at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park. It was the first time Pink Dot was held at night. Also for a first, Barclays was an official supporter of the event with Google Singapore returning as an official supporter.[25][26] The 2012 event flew under the theme song "True Colours"[27] with former-actress Sharon Au, actor Lim Yu-Beng as well as actor-comedian-diva drag queen Kumar being the ambassadors of the event.[28]

With mobile phones, torches and flashlights, a record of over 15,000 Singaporeans turned Hong Lim Park into a sea of shimmering pink lights, the largest turnout at the Speakers' Corner to date.[29] Pink Dot SG 2012 once again was widely reported in the mainstream media, with coverage by Today,[30][31] Yahoo! Singapore,[32] ChannelNews Asia[33] and also widely covered by international media agencies like the The Wall Street Journal,[34] Taiwan's lihpao,[35] Thailand's PBS,[36] and Egypt's bikyamasr.[37]

Before the event, singer Jason Mraz, who was then delivering a performance on 29 June in Singapore,[38] made a shout out in a video support of Pink Dot 2012.

The event inspired the start-up of Pink Dot Okinawa.

Pink Dot SG 2013

Pink Dot 2013 was held on the night of 29 June at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park marking its fifth year with aims to recognize the efforts of Singapore's LGBT community. This year's list of Corporate Contributors for event has grown to include global financial firm J.P. Morgan, local hotel PARKROYAL on Pickering, contact lens specialist CooperVision and audio branding agency The Gunnery, in addition to giant Google and international banking group Barclays.[39]

The event ran under the title "Home", which is also the title of a national day song, which doubled as the event's theme song. The campaign features a video directed by local filmmaker Boo Junfeng, which depicts three individual true life experiences.[40]

Like the previous year, the highlight of event saw the formation of a large Pink Dot with mobile pinks and torchlights. It saw a turnout of 21,000 supporters of the LGBT community, the strongest-yet turnout, with 6,000 more participants compared to last year’s crowd of 15,000. The event was the largest ever civil-society gathering in the country.[41] To accommodate the increase in participants, a second ‘satellite’ focal point was created beyond the traditional gathering spot to help channel traffic away from high concentration areas. Prior to the formation of Pink Dot, participants were treated to a range of activities and offerings – courtesy of more than 20 community groups and partners.[42]

The event was covered even more widely than the previous year by both local and international media like Indonesia based Asia Calling,[43] The Economist,[44] BBC,[45] The Guardian[46] and Reuters.[47] The event was also featured in YouTube 's Proud to Love' video which features of collection of videos supporting the LGBT community, equal rights and marriage equality.[48]

Before the event, band Fun made a shout out in a video support of Pink Dot 2013.[49]

Local actress Michelle Chia, theater company W!LD RICE artistic director Ivan Heng and sportcaster Mark Richmond are the 2013 ambassadors of PinkDot.[50]

International Events

After the success of Pink Dot SG 2011, it has inspired many people around the world to organise the pink dot event. Facebook pages have been created to organise a similar pink dot event in Utah, Montreal, New York and the Philippines. Pink Dot events were held in Utah in 2011 and 2012 and in 2012 Pink Dot Montreal held a Pink Dot event. Smaller gatherings were also organised in locations like Anchorage, New York, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Pink Dot Anchorage

As an Alaska PrideFest event, Pink Dot Anchorage organised a gathering on 18 June 2011 at the Anchorage Town Square where around 100 participants turned up. The participants formed a heart shaped formation. [51]

Pink Dot HK

On 24 June 2011, Hong Kong's Pink Alliance organised a gathering at Psychic Jack Lounge located in Central Hong Kong.[52]

Pink Dot London

On 18 June 2011, Singaporeans in London organised a picnic at Hyde Park, London in conjunction with the Pink Dot event occur in Singapore that day.

Pink Dot MTL

Pink Dot MTL is a movement inspired by the Singapore event which believes that love is best built on a foundation of trust and honesty, not fear and shame. The group hopes to bring LGBT individuals in Montreal closer to their families and friends where change for the better happens through conversations, not cover-ups and covert lives.[53]

On 18th Aug 2012, a Pink Dot event was organised where nearly 300 attendees gathered at Place Émilie-Gamelin, Montreal, Quebec. A competition was organised where LGBT individuals were invited to submit their personal coming out stories. The top three writers were sent an invitiation to the event and their stories were read out in front of other participants.[54]

In 2013, a Pink Dot event was held at Place Émilie-Gamelin on 17th Aug. The event had a one-page feature on local gay magazine Fugues.[55][56]

Pink Dot NY

A Pink Dot picnic was held on 7 June 2011, on 6 October 2012 and on 22 June 2013 in Central Park, New York. Around 30 participants turned up for each event.

Pink Dot OK

Pink Dot Okinawa was inspired by Singapore's Pink Dot. The event is the island's first LGBT event and is held on 14 July 2013 with a turnout of 800 people. It was held in a park in Naha city, Okinawa which was specifically chosen for its large tourist crowd and mixed culture.[57] Unique from Singapore's Pink Dot, Pink Dot Okinawa features pre-night club events,[58] a pre-event beach party and a LGBT book fair[59] and an after-party.

The event was covered by local media like the Okinawa Times and Ryukyu Shimpo.

The mascot of the event is Pinkmaaru, a winking cartoon animal with the event's name, ‘Pink dot OK.’ [60]

Pink Dot TW

A Pink Dot event was organised by the Taiwan Adolescent Association On Sexualities on 18 June 2011 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Participants gathered at the Kaohsiung Cultural Central.

Pink Dot Utah

Pink Dot Utah is a campaign inspired by the Singapore event and flies under the theme "Support, Love, Courage" aiming to engender an appreciation of Utah's diversity – regardless of race, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The campaign encourages individuals of the LGBT community to share their life stories which are then featured on the campaign website. It is organised by the Support Love Courage Council.[61]

On December 20, 2013, District Judge Robert J. Shelby struck down the same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional. [62]

2011

Pink Dot Utah 2011 was held on National Coming Out Day, 11 October 2011, at the Spring Mobile Ball Park in Salt Lake City, Utah. More than 3000 participants showed up for the inaugural pink dot event in Utah and gathered at the baseball field near Spring Mobile Ball Park.[63] Several community organizations and businesses were in attendance at the event, including representatives from First Baptist Church and Utah's Latino community. Denise Winslow came on behalf of Wells Fargo Bank with her family.

Pink Dot Utah organisers invited Emmy award winning composer, Kurt Bestor and Anchor of Fox’s Live at Five andNews at Nine Newscaststo Co-host, Hope Woodside as celebrity ambassadors of the event.[64] The event was also covered by local media like The Salt Lake Tribune.[65]

The organisers of Pink Dot Utah also created their own campaign video, which bore an uncanny resemblance with Pink Dot SG's 2011 video, to promote the cause.

2012

A Pink Dot event was held on 22 September 2012 in Jordan Park, Salt Lake City, Utah, featuring an edited campaign video of the 2011 version. A "pinkdot Baby" contest was held for the first time where parents submit a photo of their child, that capturing their unique personality while highlighting the color pink and, to the extent possible, the theme of "Support, Love and Courage".[66] Pink Dot Utah 2012 also featured an entertainment programme with performances by invited celebrities as well as speeches by speakers. Pink Dot Utah 2012 was supported by Mormons Building Bridges which encourage hetereosexual Latter-day Saints to offer love and support to their LGBT brothers and sisters.[67] The event was mentioned by popular LGBT blogsite JoeMyGod.com.[68]

Another Pink Dot event, Pink Dot St. George, was held in Utah on 3 November 2012 in Vernon Worthen Park, Saint George, Utah,[69] featuring speeches by three speakers.[70] The programme received local media coverage by Dixie Sun News.[71]

Impacts

International Human Rights

The event was deemed significant enough to be included in the U.S. Department of State's human rights reports for 2009, released on 11 March 2010:[72]
On May 16, a rally in support of "the freedom of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in Singapore to love" took place at Speakers Corner. Participants held pink umbrellas aloft and arranged themselves to form a large pink dot when seen from nearby high‐rise buildings. The rally took place without disturbance.

Pink Dot SG was also featured in the 2011 documentary film "Courage Unfolds", by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and the Lesbian Activism Project of the Philippines. The documentary film highlights the issues faced by LGBT people in Asia.[73]

Google's LGBT Campaign

Google launched the "Legalize Love" campaign which seeks to fight against homophobia and lobby against legal oppression of homosexuals all over the globe, choosing to launch a new phase of the campaign in Singapore. The campaign wants to promote the culture for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) workers inside and outside the office. This is in parallel to the company previously sponsoring Pink Dot events since 2011 in Singapore.[74]

Google has also included a 360-degree street view of the Hong Lim Park's 2013 Pink Dot Event in Google Maps which features both a day and night shot.

Section 377A of the Penal Code of Singapore

In 2012, A challenge by Tan Eng Hong was made against the law, Section 377A, that makes sex between men a crime in Singapore.[75] The challenge has garnered hot public debate[76] and in response, Pink Dot SG made the following statement:
WE RECOGNISE that the matter has been taken to the court, and we should let the law take its course. We understand the need to respect the sanctity of the Judiciary, and not undertake acts seen to pressure it, or prejudice a case that stands before it.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE that a society as pluralistic and diverse as ours will have a multitude of viewpoints, which all of us have to respect and cherish, as it is this spectrum of opinions, beliefs and ideas that make Singapore strong, not the differences that seek to divide us from being truly, one united people.

[77]

References

  1. ↑ "About Pink Dot SG". Retrieved 16 November 2012. 
  2. ↑ "S'pore to ease bans on political films, demos". Retrieved 5 July 2012. 
  3. ↑ Saad, Imelda. "Singaporeans can demonstrate at Speakers' Corner from Sep 1". Retrieved 5 July 2012. 
  4. ↑ Saad, Imelda. "Singaporeans have mixed reactions to relaxation of Speakers' Corner rules". Retrieved 5 July 2012. 
  5. ↑ "Pinkdot.sg Mascot". Retrieved 16 November 2012. 
  6. ↑ Leyl, Sharanjit (May 17, 2009). "Singapore gays in first public rally". BBC News. Retrieved May 22, 2010. 
  7. ↑ "Pink Dot’s Ambassadors". Retrieved 30 December 2013. 
  8. ↑ Leyl, Sharanjit (May 17, 2009). "Singapore gays in first public rally". BBC News. 
  9. ↑ Leyl, Sharanjit (May 17, 2009). "Singapore gays in first public rally". BBC News. Retrieved May 22, 2010. 
  10. ↑ http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2009/05/new-photos-from-gay-pride-celebrations-in-singapore-latvia-and-russia.html
  11. ↑ Leyl, Sharanjit (May 17, 2009). "Singapore gays in first public rally". BBC News. 
  12. ↑ http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247281_1826897989978_1166152950_31696432_7964900_n.jpg
  13. ↑ http://www.gmanews.tv/story/161602/Singapores-gay-community-holds-first-ever-rally
  14. ↑ http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20090516-141916.html
  15. ↑ http://pinkdot.sg/love-kinship-and-families-take-centre-stage-at-pink-dot-2010/
  16. ↑ http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/226418_1826678744497_1166152950_31696254_5807885_n.jpg
  17. ↑ http://www.hindustantimes.com/Proud-to-be-pink/Article1-580533.aspx
  18. ↑ http://pinkdot.sg/come-make-pink-dot-2010-come-make-history/
  19. ↑ "Pink Dot 2011: Is Singapore's 'freedom to love' event a barometer of social acceptance?". Retrieved 24 February 2012. 
  20. ↑ http://pinkdotsg.blogspot.sg/2011/06/pink-dot-2011-song-i-want-to-hold-your.html
  21. ↑ http://pinkdot.sg/come-make-pink-dot-18-june-2011/
  22. ↑ http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_681339.html
  23. ↑ "2011 Year in Pictures: Pink Dot". 
  24. ↑ "Pink Dot 2012 Campaign Video Glossary". Pink Dot SG. 
  25. ↑ "First Night Pink Dot brightens up with more corporate support". Pink Dot SG. 
  26. ↑ Manjur, Rezwana. "Barclays shows support for Pink Dot". Marketing Interactive. 
  27. ↑ "Pink Dot 2012 Song: True Colours". Pink Dot SG. 
  28. ↑ "Local Stars Light Up First Night Pink Dot Concert". Pink Dot SG. 
  29. ↑ "More Than 15,000 Singaporeans at Pink Dot 2012!". Pink Dot SG. 
  30. ↑ "Pink Dot draws 15,000". TODAYonline. 
  31. ↑ "Fight for talent goes pink". TODAYonline. 
  32. ↑ "Estimated record number of S'poreans turn out for Pink Dot". Yahoo! News. 
  33. ↑ Wei Chou, Han. "'Drag Queens' and 'showgirls' turn heads on Orchard Road". CNA. 
  34. ↑ Mahtani, Shibani. "Pink Dot in Singapore Highlights Gay-Rights Debate". The Wall Street Journal. 
  35. ↑ 央社, 中. (Chinese) "星民眾挺同志 點亮粉紅星光". Taiwan Lih Pao. 
  36. ↑ (Thai) "สื่อออนไลน์ในสิงคโปร์". PBS. 
  37. ↑ Hassan, Alisha. "Singapore lesbians look for change despite being "criminals"". bikyamasr. 
  38. ↑ Elizabeth, Soh. "Earth-loving Mraz shines at the Gardens". Yahoo! News. 
  39. ↑ "Growing Support for the Freedom to Love". Retrieved 30 June 2013. 
  40. ↑ "Growing Support for the Freedom to Love". Retrieved 30 June 2013. 
  41. ↑ http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21580526-some-countries-consider-gay-marriage-elsewhere-attitudes-harden-fifty-shades-pink Gay rights in South-East Asia: Fifty shades of pink
  42. ↑ "Support for the Freedom to Love Blazes Forth". Retrieved 30 June 2013. 
  43. ↑ "Homoseksual Singapura Mendesak Persamaan Hak"
  44. ↑ "Fifty shades of pink". Retrieved 31 July 2013
  45. ↑ "Global Gay Pride: Parades held in cities all over the world". Retrieved 31 July 2013
  46. ↑ "Gay rights around the world: the best and worst countries for equality". Retrieved 31 July 2013
  47. ↑ "Singapore's 'Pink Dot' rally shows growing pressure for gay rights". Retrieved 31 July 2013
  48. ↑ "Show your pride. Share your love. #ProudToLove"
  49. ↑ JASON MRAZ SUPPORTS THE FREEDOM TO LOVE!
  50. ↑ http://pinkdot.sg/new-heroes-come-out-in-support-of-the-freedom-to-love/
  51. ↑ "Alaska hearts Pink Dot". 
  52. ↑ "Join the Pink Dot splash in Hong Kong!!". Retrieved 13 November 2012. 
  53. ↑ "About". Retrieved 13 November 2012. 
  54. ↑ "Your Stories". Retrieved 13 November 2012. 
  55. ↑ "Pink Dot MTL in Fugues August 2013 Edition". Retrieved 30 December 2013. 
  56. ↑ (French) "De rose vêtu pour célébrer la diversité". fugues. 
  57. ↑ "About PinkDot Okinawa". Retrieved 25 June 2013. 
  58. ↑ "Pre Night Event". Retrieved 25 June 2013. 
  59. ↑ "Pre-Event". Retrieved 25 June 2013. 
  60. ↑ "Japan to host its first Pink Dot LGBT pride festival in July". Retrieved 25 June 2013. 
  61. ↑ "About PinkDot Utah". Retrieved 24 February 2012. 
  62. ↑ "Salt Lake mayor marries gay couple after ban ended". Retrieved 30 December 2013. 
  63. ↑ "About PinkDot Utah". Retrieved 24 February 2012. 
  64. ↑ "Hope Woodside joins pinkdot Utah as a Celebrity Ambassador". Retrieved 24 February 2012. 
  65. ↑ "Utahns come out for pinkdot". Retrieved 5 July 2012. 
  66. ↑ "Utah pinkdot Baby Contest". Retrieved 10 November 2012. 
  67. ↑ "Entertainment Announced for pinkdot Utah 2012". Retrieved 10 November 2012. 
  68. ↑ "Utah's Pink Dot 2012". Retrieved 10 November 2012. 
  69. ↑ "First Annual PinkDot St. George Event to be held on November 3, 2012". Retrieved 10 November 2012. 
  70. ↑ "First Annual PinkDot St. George Event to be held on November 3, 2012". Retrieved 10 November 2012. 
  71. ↑ "PinkDot Utah to make first appearance in St. George". Retrieved 10 November 2012. 
  72. ↑ http://www.globalequality.org/storage/cfge/documents/2009%20hr%20report%20sogi%20references.pdf
  73. ↑ "Courage Unfolds". 
  74. ↑ Aloysius, Low. "Google launches campaign in Singapore to legalize gay love". 
  75. ↑ "Court to decide on hearing date for Section 377A case". 
  76. ↑ "Debate over Section 377A intensifies". 
  77. ↑ "Statement In Response To Section 377A". 

External links

See also

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender topics in Singapore
Main article: LGBT in Singapore
Law
History
Organizations
People
Events
Culture
Media
Transgender
Category:LGBT in Singapore
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