FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Singapore, 29 June 2024 – Answering Lawrence Wong’s call for citizens to share their dreams1, thousands of Singaporeans gathered at Hong Lim Park to express hopes for a future where no one is left behind. Hundreds penned personal messages to our new prime minister with their concerns and dreams2 for the community.
This sixteenth edition of Pink Dot culminated in an evening light-up formation of the word “Equality”, a collective call for national leaders to address ongoing discrimination and marginalisation faced by LGBTQ+ Singaporeans.
“The people have spoken: not being criminals is far from enough. Like all Singaporeans, we want fulfilling lives and a fair shot at building our futures here,” said Pink Dot SG spokesperson Clement Tan. “We deserve to feel safe in our homes and schools. We deserve to be treated equally at our workplaces. To our political leaders: Don’t turn your backs on us. Together we can create a Singapore for all Singaporeans, a nation where no one is left behind.”
New research spotlights challenges faced at every stage of life
Pink Dot also unveiled new research highlighting the LGBTQ+ community’s continuing challenges after Section 377A was repealed. Recent findings by Pink Dot and Milieu Insight reveal that almost half of LGBTQ+ Singaporeans experience discrimination during job searches or at work, and about half of LGBTQ+ students face discrimination in schools. A comprehensive report, which includes detailed findings from this study and an analysis of the personal messages received at the park, will be sent to PM Wong in the coming weeks.
Soapbox speakers rally for a more inclusive Singapore
Three community speakers took to the soapbox, rallying the community to speak out about the changes they want to see for a more inclusive Singapore.
● Anne Goh, a former national athlete and advocate who lobbied for change at the recent United Nations Conference to Eliminate Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), addressed state-enforced media censorship, bullying in schools and the lack of protection against workplace discrimination for LGBTQ+ people: “We deserve to feel safe at work. Employers who discriminate against us should be held accountable.” Addressing the Ministry of Manpower, Goh added: “Why does your anti-discrimination law discriminate against us further, by erasing us? What is the cost of excluding us?”
● Kira Moon, a drag artist, spoke about her experience as a victim of a queerphobic assault: “The incident has scarred me. It has triggered so much past trauma (…) I deserve to feel safe in public or wherever I am, regardless of my gender, sexual identity, the line of work that I do, what I choose to wear. I deserve love. And most importantly I deserve to be in a country that protects me.”
● Clarence Singam, who has co-founded organisations including the new LGBTQ+ community and cultural venue, Proud Spaces, spoke of his personal journey to self-acceptance. “I am here today because someone invited me to join a support group when I was 34. And it was there that I learnt to express my hopes, my longings and my fears as a queer person. It was one of you who reached out to me and brought healing into my life. So you see, because the community was there for me, I can be here today.”
A united community
Rally participants were treated to dance items and musical numbers by Inch Chua, Marian Carmel, Leon Markcus, Lew Loh, Kiki HQ, Sing Men’s Chorus and Singapura Drag Royalty. The final formation was ushered in by local performers Jean Seizure and Pam Oei’s joint rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love”.
The community tents hosted a record 29 groups focused on supporting LGBTQ+ people at different life stages. First-time participants included Queer Friendly Chers, a group of educators creating inclusive classrooms, and PFlag, a support group for parents of LGBTQ+ children in Singapore. Community stalwarts like Oogachaga, Pelangi Pride Centre and The T Project returned.
Pink Dot 16 thanks all partners and sponsors. The Red Dot For Pink Dot initiative saw robust contributions from local businesses this year, with 64 corporate sponsors and 41 individual sponsors, many of whom have remained steadfast supporters throughout the years.
1“I ask each of you to join me in this journey. Share your ideas, share your passions and dreams. Work with me and my team. Together we can build a future that shines brightly for all Singaporeans.” Then DPM Wong in a video address on April 2024, shortly after he was announced to be the next PM.
2“Your dreams will inspire my actions. Your concerns will guide my decisions.” ibid.
Appendix — Select findings from the 2024 Pink Dot-Milieu Survey
The survey was commissioned by Pink Dot and conducted by Milieu Insight from May to June 2024, involving over 930 Singaporeans and PRs. More findings will be released in successive weeks and a fuller report will be submitted to the prime minister. Here are some of the key findings:
Education
● 1 in 2 LGBTQ+ students report experiencing discrimination in Singapore schools (47% of current students, and 60% of those who have graduated in the past 5 years)
● Only 61% of LGBTQ+ students feel safe at school, compared to 89% of cisgender heterosexual students
● Only 43% of LGBTQ+ students feel they have an adult they can go to for support in school, compared to 65% of cisgender heterosexual students
● Transgender respondents were significantly more likely to experience discrimination in school (64%) and were less likely to report feeling safe in school (38%)
Jobs and workplace
● Almost half (46%) of the LGBTQ+ community in Singapore have experienced discrimination while searching for a job or been negatively affected at work as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity
● Among the LGBTQ+ community who reported experiencing discrimination while searching for jobs, 41% experienced multiple forms of discrimination, including intrusive questioning during interviews and losing job opportunities entirely
Building a future in Singapore
● Less than a quarter (23%) of LGBTQ+ Singaporeans feel confident about their future in Singapore, compared to 43% of cisgender heterosexual Singaporeans
● LGBTQ+ folks are only half as likely to be confident of meeting their basic needs (such as healthcare and housing) as other Singaporeans (only 25% of LGBTQ+ Singaporeans are confident that their basic meets will be met at every stage of life, compared to 58% of cisgender heterosexual Singaporeans)
● LGBTQ+ folks are nearly twice as likely to want to move out of Singapore compared to other Singaporeans (30% vs 18%)
● Barriers to housing was the top issue of concern for LGBTQ+ Singaporeans
Other findings
● 8 in 10 (83%) transgender Singaporeans have had a direct experience of discrimination in the last 5 years, including being rejected by family or friends (50%), being subject to slurs or jokes (46%), and being threatened or physically attacked (21%)
● 60% of LGBTQ+ Singaporeans say discrimination has negatively affected their mental health
● 13% of LGBTQ+ Singaporeans agreed that the government cares about addressing discrimination against LGBTQ+ Singaporeans (39% were neutral and 47% disagreed)
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