Singapore's LGBT community sees growing tolerance at 'Pink Dot' pride rally

Record ID: 1731061

  • Title: Singapore's LGBT community sees growing tolerance at 'Pink Dot' pride rally
  • Date: 24th June 2023
  • Summary: SINGAPORE (JUNE 24, 2023) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE HOLDING BALLOONS SPELLING OUT "PINK DOT" LGBT RALLY VARIOUS OF PARTICIPANTS AT RALLY VARIOUS OF PARTICIPANT, BHAS KARAN, INTERACTING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
  • Embargoed: 8th July 2023 16:24
  • Keywords: 377A Pink Dot Singapore equality gay pride law
  • Location: SINGAPORE
  • City: SINGAPORE
  • Country: Singapore
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Living/Lifestyle,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA001213723062023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Thousands attended Pink Dot in Singapore on Saturday (June 24), the first such LGBT rights rally in the conservative city state after the repeal of a ban on gay sex last November.
    Some participants at the rally said there had been a general softening in attitudes towards the queer community following the repeal.
    “(For) the older generation because they have been so used to following what the government wants them to do… it makes it a lot more easier for me to explain... 'love is love.'" said Bhas Karan, 38, a participant at the rally.
    Until recently, homosexuality was illegal in Singapore under a colonial-era law known as Section 377A.
    A man found to have committed an act of “gross indecency” with another man could under the law be jailed for up to two years, though the government had said in 2007 it would not be enforced.
    For years, Singaporean authorities banned gay festivals and censored gay films, saying homosexuality should not be advocated as a lifestyle. Then in November, after years of campaigning by activists, parliament decriminalised sex between men.
    However, some said the repeal had not made a big difference for the LGBT community.
    “If I'm being very honest, the repeal of 377A. It doesn't really change much because there were other legislation that were put in place to still prevent queer people from being able to live the same way that straight people do... So, it's mostly a public perception thing,” said drag performer Acyd Rayne, as she prepared to perform at Pink Dot.
    Rayne said she still faces discrimination when she goes out in drag and prefers taking a taxi to avoid stares on public transports like the metro and buses.
    Still, Pink Dot organisers lauded the progress in LGBT rights and said this year’s theme was about family.
    “We recognize that post repeal, people need a moment to breathe and, more importantly, we feel that change can only happen after the conversations,” said Clement Tan, spokesperson for Pink Dot.
    Growing tolerance means more people are coming out.
    Prominent women's rights activist Corinna Lim this month told a policy conference of 950 people that she was lesbian.
    Lesbian activists Cally Chia and Ching Chia recently announced on Instagram they were having a baby. Ching said society seemed ready to accept their family.
    But the picture is not all rosy.
    Activists say the entrenched definitions of marriage as between a man and a woman and of family as mother, father and children mean LGBT families suffer under public policies in areas such as housing.
    (Production: Travis Teo)
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