Physical PinkDot returns to Hong Lim Park after 2 years
- Kingsley 角落君
- Jul 21, 2022
- 3 min read
By Yang Tianxiang, NowThat
Updated: 19 June 2022 04:17AM (SGT)
Singapore local influencer Preetipls performing her track E8 at Pink Dot on 18 June 2022 as the crowd cheer. (PHOTO: YANG TIANXIANG)
SINGAPORE- Thousands of LGBTQ members, their families and supporters gathered at the Speakers’ Corner in Hong Lim Park on Saturday (Jun 18) to take part in PinkDot 2022.
PinkDot SG is a Singapore annual outdoor event to show solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and to promote acceptance and progress in the society towards different sexual and gender identities.
This year’s PinkDot is the 14th edition since it began in 2009, and marked the first physical rally in three years due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Participants in PinkDot14 were invited to write their vision on placards about what an inclusive Singapore might look like in order to demand progress.
Attendees sat on the lawn with pink balloons and placards written with their vision for the future. (PHOTO: YANG TIANXIANG)
One of PinkDot SG's agenda is to advocate for the government to repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code.
About 377A
Section 377A was passed during British colonial authority in 1930s, which made sex between consenting adult males illegal. After the 2007 Penal Code review, the code deleted the majority of the other restrictions under Section 377. The legislation itself however, remained a part of Singapore’s law.
Recent updates regarding 377A
Minister of Home Affairs K Shanmugam commented in a BBC interview that while the Singapore government acknowledges a growing acceptance towards the LGBTQ+ community within society, there is still a ‘significant proportion’ that advocated for the penal code to remain in place, which the government cannot ignore. As of 2022, section 377A of the penal code remains, but is rarely enforced.
Read more: Support for Section 377A drops as attitudes towards same-sex relationship shift, survey finds.
Joshua Sim, 24, an attendee of PinkDot14 and a member of the LGBTQ community, noted that being homosexual in Singapore is not easy. He cited his own experiences of being mocked up as he was growing up.
“We don't have some of our basic rights respected. And there was not really a good environment for a gay person, a gay youth to be growing up in,” he said.
Janelle, Joshua Sim's sister, emphasised that attitudes toward the LGBTQ community have gotten much better among the younger generation in Singapore, but a lot of bias towards the community among the older generation remains, including in the workplace and in the legislation.
“We still have a lot of work on in terms of moving words a more inclusive society,” said Janelle Sim.
“Acceptance is very important and also to educate (the society) more about the community and their needs. These are very important and fundamental to begin with.”
A new law in 2017 deems everyone present at the event to be a member of the rally. This led to organisers fencing off the event to only permit Singapore citizens and permanent residents to participate in the event.
Dancers performing Drag on PinkDot's stage. (PHOTO: YANG TIANXIANG)
Foreign supporters who could not enter the venue gathered outside the Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park to participate with the attendees from outside the barricades.
“When I see like so many people just like so many people from different walks of life just supporting each other at such an event, it makes me feel warm, like in my heart that we are not alone. Things will definitely get better.” said Joshua.
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