IndigNation 2017

IndigNation 2017 dealt with the topics of law and pleasure under its theme for the year, "Unfraid to Assemble". The main organisers of the month-long LGBT pride event held in August were Ng Yi-Sheng, Becca D'Bus, Stephanie Dogfoot, Zarina Muhammad and Muslim Sahib. As in previous years, graphics for most of the events were designed by Gary Lim and Kenneth Chee of Antfarm Design.



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Unfraid to Assemble

14.— (1) (a) every citizen of Singapore has the right to freedom of speech and expression;

(b) all citizens of Singapore have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms; and

(c) all citizens of Singapore have the right to form associations.

— Constitution of the Republic of Singapore

The rights of LGBTIQ+ people in Singapore have been under attack for decades. We’ve had to struggle against laws like Section 377A, which criminalises sex between men; homophobic and transphobic policies in media censorship and sex education; as well as unapologetic discrimination from society.

In 2017, one of the biggest issues of the day was our right to public assembly. For the first time, Pink Dot was forced by the police to operate behind a security barrier, excluding all foreigners. The definition of a “local sponsor” was altered, making it impossible for Singaporean branches of global corporations to support the cause.

IndigNation: Singapore’s Pride Season only became possible in 2005 because the law was changed, allowing indoor political talks by Singaporeans and PRs. This year, we are more aware than ever that we cannot take this liberty for granted.

Therefore, for our 13th year, we have chosen “Unafraid to Assemble” as our theme. We will begin things on our first weekend, with an Opening Party, followed by an in-depth discussion of issues of law, pleasure and resistance in Natural Education 2: A Queer Conference.

During our second weekend, we will celebrate the diversity of our queer voices through the literary reading, Sayang/Chellame: A Multilingual Queer Love Poetry Event. This gathering will seek to dispel the myth that LGBTIQ love and rights are only matters that concern our English-speaking population.

The centrepiece of our third weekend is The IndigNation Film Festival, which returns for the third time with offerings from the USA, Taiwan and Thailand, as well as an evening of queer Singaporean shorts, Short Circuit 6.

Our partners will also be holding parallel events: The Bear Project and the Queer Book Club will hold a discussion of the book Faeries, Bears, & Leathermen, while The Inter-University LGBT Network will provide incoming queer university students with an orientation in Qrientation. We finish with an evening dedicated to the transgender community: TransIt 2: An Evening of Trans Art and Culture.

Our fourth and final weekend combines both activism and pleasure. The newly formed Inter Alia Legal Diversity Forum will hold Conversations on Activism, a sharing session by key Singaporean pro-LGBT activists. The Glory Hoes will screen Pride, a film marking the alliance between British queer activists and miners in the 1980s.

Finally, we’ll conclude with ContraDiction XIII: HOMO BOMOH, a night of queer horror writing, as well as our fundraiser, The Giving Table: Dinner Cooked by Drag Queens.

We hope you’ll join us on our month-long exploration of queerness. Come with us as we share and develop ideas, affirming the spirit of community and diversity, all within a queer Singaporean context.

Stand with us, fearlessly. Remain unafraid to assemble.



=Calendar=



=Event line-up=

IndigNation Opening Party: First Friday for the 13th!
The event, hosted by IndigNation SG, was held on Friday, 13 August 2017 from 7pm to 9:30pm at DYMK, 41 Neil Road, Singapore 088824.

Event Facebook page:.

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Celebrate the start of IndigNation 2017 with us, as Singapore’s annual Pride Season returns for its 13th year! We kick off, as so many gay things do, with drinks and nibbles. Meet old friends, make new friends,chat up organizers and participants of what will be a month chock full of activity by us, for us, about us. Assemble! Assemble!

Snacks will be provided, drinks may be purchased from the bar. More information about other IndigNation events at our website, here: https://indignationsg.wordpress.com/2017/07/27/indignation-2017-unafraid-to-assemble/



Natural Education 2: A Queer Conference


The series of events, hosted by IndigNation SG, was held from 1pm, 5 August 2017 to 6:30pm, 6 August 2017 at DYMK, 41 Neil Road, Singapore 088824.

Event Facebook page:.

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As LGBITQ+ people, we don’t get to learn much about our community in school. Instead, we have to head to the bars of Tanjong Pagar — and that’s exactly what we’ll be doing this weekend.

Natural Education is a queer conference that gathers a range of speakers and interest groups for dialogue, aiming to expose the community to a diverse range of perspectives and ideas.

Our talks will mainly take place in the gay bars of Neil Road: DYMK, Out Bar and Epiphyte. Most talks are public; a few are private and require registration. Foreigners are welcome. Events are free, but donations are encouraged.

This event is held as part of IndigNation, Singapore's Pride Season. For more info, check out http://indignationsg.wordpress.com/ 

Get It Together: Creating Ways to Assemble


A panel on public assembly by (tentatively) Kokila Annamalai, Vanessa Ho and Quck Zhong Yi (Pink Dot SG).

The event, hosted by IndigNation SG, was held on Saturday, 5 August 2017 from 1pm to 2:30pm at DYMK, 41 Neil Road, Singapore 088824.

Event Facebook page:.

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The Constitution of Singapore guarantees the right to public assembly, yet people have always faced huge obstacles to organising public events. This was evident in the recent case of Pink Dot 2017, when the definition of foreign sponsors was changed, and organisers were forced to set up a barrier around Hong Lim Park.

What opportunities and creative ways are there for people to form public gatherings today, about matters they care about? Why do people do it? What are the pleasures and dangers? A panel will explore these questions, drawing from events such as SlutWalk, Pink Dot and various public theatre performances.

Featuring Vanessa Ho, Han Xuemei (DramaBox) and Quck Zhong Yi (Pink Dot).

This event marks the opening of Natural Education 2: A Queer Conference.

https://indignationsg.wordpress.com/2017/07/26/natural-education-2-a-queer-conference/ 

Ten Years After the Campaign to Repeal 377A


The event was held on Saturday, 5 August 2017 from 3pm to 4:30pm at DYMK, 41 Neil Road, Singapore 088824.

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In 2007, the Singapore government decided to reform its Penal Code, but resolved to retain Section 377A, our colonial anti-gay sex law.

In response, a team of activists launched the country's first LGBT social media campaign to try and get the law repealed. This led to heated debate in parliament and an unprecedented airing of opinions about LGBTIQ rights.

Now, ten years after that campaign, George Hwang, Joshua Tan and Tan Joo Hymn — all key activists from that campaign — will gather to discuss the history, strategies and impact of that event.

Event Facebook page:. 

Gay Marriage, Gay Divorce


An intimate talk on the difficult laws and emotions behind formal same-sex unions and breakups.

Featuring Indulekshmi Rajeswari, the creator of "Same But Different: A Singapore LGBT Legal Guide For Couples & Families" and Jaclyn Chan, a Singaporean woman going through a same-sex divorce proceedings. Moderated by Kok Weng Keong, co-organiser of the Inter Alia Legal Diversity Forum.

The event was held on Saturday, 5 August 2017 from 3pm to 4:30pm at Out Bar, 43 Neil Road, Singapore 088825.

Event Facebook page:. 

Let’s Make a Show!


A workshop on the basics of putting up entertainment events by Becca D'Bus (RIOT).

The event was held on Saturday, 5 August 2017 from 3pm to 4:30pm at Epiphyte Sg, 47 Neil Road, Singapore 088827.

Event Facebook page:. 

Facts and Myths about PrEP
A talk on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP; anti-HIV medication) by Dr Justin Sim from Atlas Pacific Medical. It was held on Saturday, 5 August 2017 from 5pm to 6:30pm at DYMK.

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The invention of pre-exposure prophylaxis (anti-HIV meds) is an incredible gift for gay and bisexual men. It could stop thousands of people from getting infected with the chronic disease of HIV. Yet there's still a lot of ignorance and negative association surrounding these drugs.

Luckily, Dr Justin Sim, a men's health doctor from Atlas Pacific Medical, is here to clear up the myths.

Free Admission 

Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex Work But Were Afraid to Ask


A presentation by former sex worker Sherry SherQueshaa from Project X, followed by ice breakers and a Q&A session. Audience involvement was greatly appreciated.

The event was held on Saturday, 5 August 2017 from 5pm to 6:30pm at Out Bar, 43 Neil Road, Singapore 088825.

Event Facebook page:. 

Queer Animality: Penguins, Bears, Starfishes


The event, hosted by Jun Pierre Pow, was held on Saturday, 5 August 2017 from 5pm to 6:30pm at Epiphyte Sg, 47 Neil Road, Singapore 088827.

Event Facebook page:.

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What are the parallels between human behaviour and animal behaviour? Why do we humans always use animals as comparison to construct human laws and pleasures? And in turn, some of us dictate how animals should behave both in reality and in film/fiction. As part of IndigNation 2017, join Chris Tan, Jun Pow, and Kwok Yingchen to discover the fascinating details about the sexual phenomenon of humans acting like animals and animals behaving like humans. The panel will be moderated by Pey Aw.

Jun Pow: 'State Motherhood: Singaporean Women and the NLB Saga'

Chris Tan: 'Gaydar: Using Skilled Vision to Spot Gay "Bears"'

Kwok Yingchen: 'What Can Queer Animality do for the Trans Body?' 

Shades of Purple: Bisexual & Pansexual Experiences in Singapore


The event, hosted by IndigNation SG, was held on Sunday, 6 August 2017 from 1pm to 2:30pm at OUT Bar, 43 Neil Road, Singapore 088825.

Event Facebook page:.

A discussion featuring Indulekshmi Rajeswari, Stephanie Chan Dogfoot, Atiq Lukman & Mark Nicodemus Tan

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Being bisexual or pansexual can be confusing. You're part of an invisible community, caught between the gay world and the straight world. You end up being labelled, not based on who you are, but on the gender of whoever you're dating.

So how do bi and pan Singaporeans navigate their lives? What are their horror stories and their proudest moments? How do their experiences differ when they're male or female or nonbinary, transgender or cisgender, married or polyamorous?

Featuring Indulekshmi Rajeswari, Mark Nicodemus Tan and Atiq Lukman. Moderated by Stephanie Dogfoot. 

Discrimination and Harassment in University Campuses
The event was held on Sunday, 5 August 2017 from 3pm to 4:30pm at DYMK.

A survey presentation by the Inter-Uni LGBT Network.

Stories of LGBTQ+ students being regularly discriminated against by their peers worldwide in educational institutions are aplenty online. It is no secret then that queer individuals face unique and complex challenges navigating society’s expectations on issues concerning one’s sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).

It is with the drive to give a voice to queer individuals who have personally encountered SOGI-based prejudice and discrimination on campus that spurred members of the Research and Advocacy arm of the Inter-University LGBT Network to conduct their research to explore how prejudice and discrimination is experienced by queer students in Singapore’s universities.

Bisu
3-4:30pm, Epiphyte

A Talk on the LGBT Malay Community. This event is private. Please register at indignation2017@gmail.com

Who Cares for Queers? / Grow Old with Me
A panel on illness, disability and end-of-life matters in the LGBT community.

The event, hosted by IndigNation SG and co-hosted by Faizah S, Joena Shivan and paralympian Theresa Goh was held on Sunday, 6 August 2017 from 3:45pm to 6:30pm at Out Bar.

Event Facebook page:

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We’re all growing old. What sort of issues do we face in ageing, being caregivers, and being cared for?

Come join us to discuss concerns about disability, ageing, caregiving and end-of-life matters from a queer perspective, first with a panel of speakers (3.45-4.45), including Faizah S, Joena Shivani & Paralympian Theresa Goh.

This will be followed by a workshop (5 - 6.30pm) facilitated by Edwina Shaddick, where we’ll imagine and discuss possible solutions. Besides highlighting issues, we also hope to document some concrete recommendations for inclusive care arrangements.

Image by Steve Moors: http://prospect.org/article/when-im-old-and-gay

Free Admission 

Hit Me Baby One More Time
5-6:30pm, DYMK

A workshop on impact play. This event is private. Please register at indignation2017@gmail.com

What’s Next After 377A?
The event, hosted by IndigNation SG, was held on Sunday, 6 August 2017 from 5pm to 6:30pm at Epiphyte Sg, 47 Neil Road, Singapore 088827.

Event Facebook page:.

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Section 377A is the biggest challenge we have to LGBTIQ equality in Singapore. But once that gets repealed, how do we move forward?

As a finale to the conference, we're holding a Long Table discussion on long-term activism, convened by Eugene Tan a.k.a. Becca D'Bus of Riot. Come prepared to share your opinion, but also be willing to let others share theirs.

This event is being held as part of Natural Education 2: A Queer Conference (5 and 6 August), an event in IndigNation: Singapore's Pride Season. See

http://indignationsg.wordpress.com/ for more info.

Image from Boo Junfeng's Pink Dot 2012 video, "Someday":. 

Sayang/Chellame: A Multilingual Queer Love Poetry Event


The event was held on Friday, 11 August 2017 from 7:30pm to 9pm at Artistry, 17 Jalan Pinang, Singapore 199149.

Event Facebook page:.

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ADVISORY 16 AND ABOVE

Gather with us for an evening of new love poetry written by Singaporeans and Malaysians in Malay, Tamil, Mandarin, Kristang and Thai (with English translations provided). Together, we'll celebrate the passions of the heart and the linguistic, sexual and gender diversity of our lands.

This event will be hosted by Kokila Annamalai and Ng Yi-Sheng, and will feature writers including Irfan Kasban, Faris Joraimi, Max Pasakorn and Catalina Rembuyan.

Free Admission 

Front Cover: Indignation Queer Films Festival Opening


The event was held on Friday, 18 August 2017 from 8pm to 11pm at The Projector, 6001 Beach Road, #05-00 Golden Mile Tower, Singapore 1.

Event Facebook page:.

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Indignation Queer FIlms is BACK for another year and we are excited to open with a brand new, highly acclaimed film from Hong Kong/US! Get your tickets now!

Directed by Ray Yeung (USA, 2015) [R21] 127 mins

SYNOPSIS

A skillfully written and acted gay love story about two young men of Chinese ancestry, Ray Yeung’s “Front Cover” has a title that evokes the differences in its main characters. Ryan (Jake Choi), a New York fashion stylist, aims his energies toward the front covers of magazines. Ning (James Chen), a movie star from China, also projects himself into the public eye, but uses his image as something else—a cover for his real self.

This is Hong Kong-based director Ray Yeung's second feature film, after Cut Sleeve Boys (2006), exploring the gay Chinese-British community of London.

AWARDS:

- Best Narrative Film - Boston Asian American Film Festival 2016 - Best Full Feature- Serile Filmului Gay International Film Festival, Romania 2016

TRAILER:



TICKETS:

ONLINE: $18

- get them here: http://peatix.com/event/288758

AT THE DOOR: $20 (cash only)

-Limited number of volunteer opportunities available in exchange for tickets. Message us for more details!

Also, please remember to bring photo ID!

For more info, check out: http://www.frontcoverthemovie.com/ <br style="clear: left"/>

SHe + The Revival: Women and the Word - Indignation Queer Films


The event, hosted by IndigNation Queer Films, IndigNation SG and Sayoni, was held on Saturday, 19 August 2017 from 5pm to 7pm at The Projector, 6001 Beach Road #05-00 Golden Mile Tower, Singapore 19.

Event Facebook page:.

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Indignation Queer FIlms is excited to present a double feature, with two incredible documentaries about groundbreaking LBT women from across the world, opening with SHe, a short but beautiful documentary about Taiwan's first lesbian couple to get married, followed by our feature film, The Revival: Women and the Word, a documentary about a group of Black lesbian poets and musicians touring the US, performing and making history as queer women of color.

筑位 (SHe)
Directed by Kuo Hsin-ying (Taiwan, 2016) (R21) 35mins

Chiku, a transwoman, and Wei, a lesbian, got “legally” married in Taiwan in December 2012. This documentary shows the subtle moments of their daily marriage life, through which the imagined voyeuristic spectacle is turned into everyday actions. It highlights how gender fluidity that cannot be fixed onto a heterosexual framework.

TRAILER:

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The Revival: Women and the Word
Directed by Sekiya Dorsett (USA, 2016) (R21) 82 mins

In 2011, 50 friends gathered in a small living room in Washington, D.C. for a poetry event called THE REVIVAL. The host, Jade Foster, dreamed of building a safe space where queer women and allies could celebrate being black, women, and carriers of the word. In 2012, the event evolved into a nine-day tour that swept eight cities, touched thousands of lives, and connected five exceptional women.

Women and the Word chronicles the creation of an international salon-styled tour led and supported by women. It tells the story of how Jade Foster recruited a group of five dynamic poets and musicians to become stewards of a movement that builds community among queer women of color, upholds literary arts excellence, and occupies living rooms across the country.

TRAILER,:

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FOR MORE INFO, CHECK OUT: http://www.therevivalmovie.com/

TICKETS:

ONLINE: $18

- get them here: http://peatix.com/event/288756

AT THE DOOR: $20 (cash only)

-Limited number of volunteer opportunities available in exchange for tickets. Message us for more details!

Also, please remember to bring photo ID! <br style="clear: left"/>

Short Circuit 6 - Presented by Boo Jun Feng
The event, hosted by IndigNation Queer Films and IndigNation SG, and co-hosted by (pending), was held on Saturday, 19 August 2017 from 8pm to 10pm at The Projector, 6001 Beach Road, #05-00, Golden Mile Tower, Singapore 199589. Tickets were available at peatix.com.

Event Facebook page:.

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After a hiatus of five years, Singapore’s showcase of LGBT short films returns for its sixth installment, which continues to limn an extraordinary spectrum of LGBT experiences and perspectives. By turns heartwarming, funny, provocative and wistful, the selection is testimony once again to the vitality and range of our filmmakers.

Program 60min runtime followed by a 30min QnA.

TICKETS:

ONLINE: $18

- get them here: http://peatix.com/event/288759

AT THE DOOR: $20 (cash only)

Also, please remember to bring your photo ID!

The Pursuit of a Happy Human Life
by Gladys Ng

(PG) - 10mins

Steph Chan is leaving Singapore for good. Yokes struggles to say goodbye. The two girls spend their last moments together before they begin their separate journeys on the pursuit of a happy human life. A commission of the 27th Singapore International Film Festival

TRAILER: <br style="clear: left"/>

The Great Escape
by Tan Wei Keong

(PG13) - 6mins

Two men and their olive tree. This film is inspired by Alfian Sa’at’s poem ‘The Great Escape’.

3:37:13
by Royston Tan

(PG) - 4mins

how long does it take to forget a person? A question we always ask ourselves... Presenting the second film " 033713" in the memory bank project after the first film "vicky". Starring Shane Pow Production company: Chuan pictures 2014

Tulacy
by Marisa Goh

(NC16) - 8min35s

Tulacy is an observational documentary capturing the life of Tulacy, a seventy eight year old male to female (MtF) transgendered woman. It was in 2014 that Tulacy walked into an old shophouse which was then turned into a shelter for the transgendered homeless.

Producer: Inez Ho

Co-Producer: Marisa Goh

Director: Marisa Goh

Cintematographer: Justin Faith Ng

Editor: Jasmine Lee

Sasha is Fifteen
by Ghazi Alqudcy

(Not Rated Yet) - 11 mins

Ghazi Alqudcy is active in the Singapore’s local film scene, participating in numerous events such as the Take 5! Guerilla Filmmaking Challenge, Fly By Night Video Challenge and the MDA-Panasonic Digital Film Fiesta. In 2007, he held his first solo screening of three films – Lakshmi, Serah Diri and Block 46 at The Substation’s Guinness Theater.

Formation Parody
by Hirzi Zulkiflie and Maimunah Bagharib

(Not Rated Yet) - 5 mins

[SYNOPSIS COMING SOON]

A Beautiful Night in Johor Bahru
by Ghazi Alqudcy

(Not Rated Yet) - 5 mins

[SYNOPSIS COMING SOON]

Wu Song Slays The Seductress
by Kirsten Tan

(Not Rated Yet) - 11min40s

[SYNOPSIS COMING SOON]

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Fathers - Indignation Queer Films


The event was held on Sunday, August 20 from 2:30pm to 4:10pm at The Projector, 6001 Beach Road #05-00 Golden Mile Tower, Singapore 199589.

Ticket Information: peatix.com

Event Facebook page:.

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Directed by Platphol Mingpornpichit (Thailand, 2016) [Not Rated Yet] 96 min. Thai with English Subtitles.

Fathers tells the story of gay couple Phoon (Uttsada Panichkul) (whom some may remember as MTV JV Utt! ) and Yuke (Nat Sakdatorn), who have adopted an orphan son named Butr. As their son enters primary school, they begin to face multiple social and legal problems in their journey of building a family.

This movie was a groundbreaking work in Thailand, presenting itself as a gay family film, with neither sex scenes nor violence. Remarkably, it passed censors in China, and was embraced by the Chinese gay community as a highly positive representation of a same-sex couple.

TRAILER:

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REVIEW

http://www.cinemaescapist.com/2017/06/fathers-thai-lgbt-movie-tolerance-challenges/

TICKETS:

ONLINE: $18

- get them here: http://peatix.com/event/288759

AT THE DOOR: $20 (cash only)

-Limited number of volunteer opportunities available in exchange for tickets. Message us for more details!

Also, please remember to bring photo ID! <br style="clear: left"/>

TransIt 2: An Evening of Trans Art and Culture
The event, hosted by IndigNation SG, was held on Sunday, 20 August 2017 from 6pm to 7:30pm at Artistry, 17 Jalan Pinang, Singapore 199149.

Event Facebook page:.

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Our evening of literature and arts by transgender Singaporeans returns for a second installment, curated by Atiq Lukman!

Featuring the work of Marla Bendini, Cassandra Thng, Lune Loh, Alexander Soh, Tanie Long, Katherine C, Andy and Carissa Cheow.

This event is part of IndigNation, Singapore's Pride Season. Check out our full calendar here:

https://indignationsg.wordpress.com/2017/07/27/indignation-2017-unafraid-to-assemble/

Free Admission; Poetry <br style="clear: left"/>

=See also=
 * IndigNation: Singapore's first gay pride month
 * IndigNation 2006
 * IndigNation 2007
 * IndigNation 2008
 * IndigNation 2009
 * IndigNation 2010
 * IndigNation 2011
 * IndigNation 2012
 * IndigNation 2013
 * IndigNation 2014
 * IndigNation 2015
 * IndigNation 2016

=References=
 * IndigNation SG's Facebook page:.
 * IndigNation SG's Wordpress site:.
 * A playlist of videos of past IndigNation events on YouTube:.
 * IndigNation Sg's YouTube channel:.
 * PLU's IndigNation website. (now defunct)
 * The older IndigNation Facebook page:. Its name was changed to plu.sg in July 2016 by Jun Pow so as not to clash with the official IndigNation SG Facebook page.

=Acknowledgements=

This article was written by Roy Tan.