- Title: Singapore bans foreigners from attending gay rally, participants unfazed
- Date: 31st May 2017
- Summary: SINGAPORE (FILE - JUNE 28, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PARK ENTRANCE WITH PINK DOT GATE MADE OF BALLOONS VARIOUS OF CROWDS WEARING PINK SHIRTS GATHERED IN PARK
- Embargoed: 14th June 2017 12:15
- Keywords: LGBT Pink Dot foreigners changes to the law
- Location: SINGAPORE
- City: SINGAPORE
- Country: Singapore
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0026J64N5X
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:After moving to Singapore two months ago, couple Adeline Yeo and Maja Wis were looking forward to participating in the city state's annual gay pride event.
But organizers of the July 1 Pink Dot rally have warned foreigners and those who are not permanent residents of the city-state to steer clear of this year's event, following rule changes aimed at keeping foreigners out of domestic politics.
Adeline from Singapore and Maja from Poland have been together for almost two years and have participated in similar events London and Berlin.
Maja says she is disappointed and feels it is unfair for people who have been living in Singapore for many years to suddenly be banned from the event.
Foreigners have never been legally allowed to participate rallies in Singapore but many have got around the rule by "observing" such events.
Organizers said on Wednesday (May 30) they've raised $253,000SGD ($183,000USD) from more than 100 local companies for the rally where participants are encouraged to gather at the "Speaker's Corner" downtown, wearing pink and turning on pink flashlights.
However they also announced they would have to put up barricades to make sure foreigners don't come in.
"I'm not going to put her in risk of the law by saying come down to Pink Dot, I will say don't come to Pink Dot but at the same time we should as Singaporeans fill those barriers as much as possible until they cannot let another person in," Adeline said.
Under Singapore law, sex between men is punishable by up to two years in jail, though prosecutions are rare. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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