Pink Dot, exemplified by our tagline “Supporting the Freedom to Love”, has never detracted from its message of inclusion and diversity, of embracing and welcoming everyone regardless of their race, language, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. Pink Dot’s message is in line with the shared values of all Singaporeans that place the family as the basic unit of society.
As we understand it, the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS) Council’s position is that Pink Dot’s advertisements at Cathay Cineleisure Orchard does not breach the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice, which carried the principle that an advertisement should not downplay the importance of family as a unit and foundation of society. As such, we cannot see how a tagline calling for inclusion and love can therefore be seen as undermining the concept of family or disrespecting the individual. Over the past 8 years we have worked hard to ensure every individual including LGBT individuals is respected and loved for who they are, without having to hide from their families, workplace and society. Likewise, LGBT Singaporeans have families too, and they continually seek to foster understanding and closer bonds with their loved ones.
We cannot help but wonder if the Council’s request arose out of complaints by a small group of people against Pink Dot who vociferously support the discrimination of Singapore’s LGBT community. We are confident Singaporeans are able to discern our message of inclusion, diversity and love from one that seeks to divide us because of differences.
Our aim is to have conversations and dialogue to promote understanding; through this, we hope to achieve consensus and not conflict.
As such, we are open to speaking to ASAS and invite them to a frank discussion on this.
