Get your tops, umbrellas, hats, socks and wigs out! We’re a matter of just hours away from Pink Dot 2010!

Last year, 2500 Singaporeans turned up for Pink Dot, making it the largest gathering ever recorded at Hong Lim Park in Singapore’s history. Come join us this year to break that record, and to show your support for the Freedom to Love.

But before we gather to celebrate our year of the Family at Hong Lim Park this Saturday, here’s a look back at the 2010 campaign so far.
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In February, we announced the date and the theme of the year – Family; and then in March, we introduced our ambassadors for Pink Dot 2010:

“I think Pink Dot helps to cast aside prejudices, and I think if we can get people to open up their hearts to their loved ones, it would be a good start. I don’t expect we can revolutionise everyone’s mindsets, but if we can even make individuals and families aware of this, they can maybe take this and question what they might do if they were to find themselves in a situation where they have a family member or friend who is going through this. Real lives can be touched and changed.” – Adrian Pang

“Relationships within the family should never be underestimated. The impact that family members have, whether or not the relationships are acrimonious or harmonious, can impact the subconscious in complex ways. In good or in bad times, you should always be able to go back to where you began – which is the family.” – Tan Kheng Hua

“I think, a lot of times, this issue drives a wedge between sons and daughters, with their parents. There’s that ‘need’ to hide who you are, that ‘need’ to keep up with appearances, and because of this, you cannot reveal your true self to the people that you love – your parents, extended family members, friends, old classmates… It keeps everyone in the family from having a truly close relationship.” – DJ Big Kid
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In April & May, we featured real-life stories of strong, cohesive families:

“Love and acceptance should start at home. As parents, if we do not show love to our children, how can we expect society to do the same? So I hope that parents will love their children for who they are. They are god’s gift. When our children receive love and acceptance at home, I believe that they will go on to live their lives with love, and contribute to society in meaningful ways.” – Eileena’s mom
Read the full story in English & Chinese

“When you walk out on the street you have to face the cold hard facts, the world, and the way people look at you…it’s hard. Home is supposed to be the safe place where you can go to for warmth and love, and at the end of the day it’s good to know that there’s somebody you can go home to, who doesn’t judge you, who loves you for who you are.” – Jamie
Read the full story here

“I try to explain to my mom sometimes, that some people like vanilla ice cream, others like chocolate ice cream. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s a preference. I think everyone has to put in effort to pull the family together… To me, family is a group of people who go through the toughest times with you, and come out at the end, knowing you better, and loving you more, if not the same, regardless of what it is.” – Joel
Read the full story here

“Over the years, they’ve realised that I’m still the same person. I still love them. I still care for them. Even though we communicate in our own ways, we have own ways of thinking, but I’m still essentially the same person. That hasn’t changed. So maybe that helped to calm their fears… In fact, over the past few years when my ex was still staying with us… my mom even asked for him to come home for dinner sometimes. She’ll say, ‘Is he in Singapore? Why doesn’t he come back for dinner? I’ll cook his favourite dish.'” – Ethan

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And in case you missed it, here’s the “Focusing on our Families” series of videos:

Focusing on our Families (Part 1)

Focusing on our Families (Part 2)

Focusing on our Families (Part 3)

Focusing on our Families (Part 4)

Pink Dot 2010: 一家亲 (其之一)