Press release
15 May 2019 – After 10 successful editions of Pink Dot, it is unfortunate that many in our society, including our political leaders, remain ignorant to the discrimination and prejudice faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in Singapore. This year, Pink Dot SG shines the spotlight on stories of discrimination experienced by LGBTQ Singaporeans, and calls on the wider community to stand with us for a fairer and more inclusive Singapore.
The theme was also chosen as part of the movement’s commitment to advocate more strongly on the various issues highlighted during last year’s ‘10 Declarations for Equality’. From its 11th edition, Pink Dot SG endeavours to raise the awareness on pertinent issues that impact the daily lives of LGBTQ people in Singapore.
To kick-off our call-to-action, this year’s campaign video is directed by documentary filmmaker, Christopher Khor, and features three Singaporeans from different walks of life who have faced discrimination for being who they are. Teacher-turned-cartoonist Otto Fong, human rights activist Sherry Sherqueshaa and psychology graduate Alexander Teh share their stories of discrimination with friends who have become firm allies. We hope that this video will inspire more people to share their stories.
“Discrimination comes in many forms. Being denied rights, receiving unequal treatment, and being left behind yet again with the latest legal reforms – these are what LGBTQ people in Singapore are dealing with,” said Pink Dot SG Spokesperson, Paerin Choa. “Discrimination happens every day, in our homes, in our schools and at our workplaces. Many in our society remain ignorant to the hurt they are causing their LGBTQ friends and family members. It is this ignorance that we seek to address, and we hope our political leaders will not continue to ignore the discrimination that their LGBTQ citizens face every day.”
Pink Dot SG calls on all Singaporeans – LGBTQ and straight allies – to take a stand against discrimination by participating in our social media campaign and activities at Pink Dot that call for an end to discrimination against the LGBTQ community. Companies in Singapore – large and small – are also invited to sign the Inclusive Business Pledge, so that employees, jobseekers and customers know that they are welcome regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Leading the way for the campaign are our Pink Dot 11 Ambassadors. They are prominent actress and theatre director Beatrice Chia-Richmond and the sibling duo of prominent local YouTuber (Preetipls) Preeti Nair and her brother, rapper Subhas Nair. All four ambassadors have pledged their support for a kinder and more inclusive Singapore.
We launched the Red Dot 4 Pink Dot (RD4PD) fundraising campaign on 2 April 2019 and to date we have over 60 businesses who have come together to pledge their support for the movement. It is led by Kathy Teo, Founder and Managing Director of Xpointo Media, John Chen, Co-founder of Aloha Poké, Goh Shu Fen, Co-founder and Principal of R3 and Tracy Phillips, Director of PPurpose. The RD4PD campaign remains open till 15 June 2019 and invites all majority-Singaporean-owned businesses to lend their support and pledge their commitment for a more inclusive work environment as a RD4PD Sponsor.
This year’s event will continue to feature crowd favourites like the Pink Dot Concert which showcases wonderful local performing artistes and musicians, as well as the Community Tent which will have twenty-three LGBTQ interest and support groups, each representing and contributing to the colourful kaleidoscope that is the LGBTQ community in Singapore.
Organisers hope to see all Singaporeans and PRs at Hong Lim Park on Saturday, 29 June 2019!
