Fridae

 Fridae, also commonly called Fridae.com, is Asia's largest English-language LGBT portal and has grown by leaps and bounds since its founding in December 2000 by scientist-cum-entrepreneur Dr. Stuart Koe. It has achieved much of its mission statement of "empowering gay Asia" and was, under the leadership of Stuart Koe, the most socially responsible commercial gay organisation in Singapore.

Fridae's first office was a rented unit at Henderson Industrial Park where overheads were lower than at a proper office in the city area. It later moved to a residential terrace house along Jalan Kuning at Chip Bee Gardens in Holland Village, leased from a Canadian expatriate. Two years later, it moved its headquarters back to a different unit at Henderson Industrial Park and later to Kallang Industrial Park where it rented one unit for many years at #03-09, 26 Kallang Place, Singapore 339157 (tel. no. 62977840). It relocated to another unit in the same park for a few years before it closed its physical headquarters for good in the mid-2010s.

=Launch party=

Fridae's launch party was held in early 2001 at The Altivo Bar & Glass Bar, located at Mount Faber Cable Car Station, 109 Mount Faber Road, Singapore 099203 (tel. no. 63779688).

=Jungle Media=

While at its headquarters at Henderson Industrial Park and at #03-09, 26 Kallang Place, Fridae set up a subsidiary company called Jungle Media to handle its advertising, marketing, promotion and public relations activities.

It recruited full-time staff with the following light-hearted advertisement:

"Fridae - Asia's Gay and Lesbian Network

We can’t make babies (we try), so we’ve got no choice but to recruit. Joining Fridae means playing an active role in building Asia’s largest online gay and lesbian community – one that transcends geographical and cultural borders, a “United States of Asia” if you will. We’re looking for people with commitment and passion; dreamers and idealists who can execute (plans, not people), meet deadlines, and think out of the box to join our ever-growing team of mavericks.We believe in hard work, a fun atmosphere, and the sort of creativity that only comes about when talented people from diverse backgrounds approach problems from varying perspectives. If you’ve got what it takes, and you’re looking for a work environment that allows you to be who you are, show your colors, and truly shine, then get in touch with us! Should you have any interest, please apply on line by stating the position you are applying for, and kindly include your email, other contact details, and resumé/cv."

=See also=


 * Singapore LGBT organisations

=References=


 * Fridae's website:.

=Acknowledgements=

This article was written by Roy Tan.