Pink Dot 2010

Encouraged by the success of the inaugural Pink Dot event in 2009, the organisers decided to hold a second LGBT pride gathering in 2010. The theme for that year was "Focusing on our families". Pink Dot 2010 aimed to highlight stories of honesty, openness and the strength of families which had unconditionally stuck by their loves ones. It hoped that all Singaporeans would join in celebrating the freedom to love within families, where sexual orientation represented a trait, not a barrier.

Pre-event advertisement

On 3 March 2010, Pink Dot published the following message on its Facebook page:

"Love, Kinship and Families take centre stage at Pink Dot 2010

Dear friends,

Come Saturday, 15 May 2010, Singaporeans are invited to celebrate the Freedom to Love with Pink Dot once again.

This year, Pink Dot honours kinship and family in support and in recognition of our parents, siblings, relatives and friends of Lesbian, Gay, Biseual and Transgender (LGBT) Singaporeans.

Growing up gay is never easy. But it is through the unconditional love, support and understanding of family members and friends that they are able to pull through; with the care, kindness and concern that sustains over periods of anxiety and hardship.

We believe that everyone inherently wants to feel accepted - like they belong.

This is why family values matter greatly to Pink Dot.

Beyond the emotional and psychological well-being that strong familial ties can provide, family values also go towards affirming who we are as a community and as a nation: cohesive and compassionate.

Yet, every family is different. No two grandparents, parents, children, siblings, uncles, aunties, etc, can be exactly the same.

We relate to everyone differently precisely because we recognise and appreciate, quite naturally, that every person is unique.

So what happens when "sexual orientation" is a trait that makes a loved one unique? Will you continue to love your gay parent, child, grandchild, sibling, cousin, nephew or niece unconditionally?

Come make Pink Dot with us on 15 May 2010 (Saturday) at Hong Lim Park! More than 2,500 people came last year and had a wonderful time. Help us enlarge the Dot this year to show the world that Singapore is a great place for everyone, straight or gay. Bring your families, friends and colleagues! To keep up to date with the latest information, befriend Pink Dot at:

http://www.facebook.com/pinkdot

or join our Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pink-Dot-SG/136911488303?ref ts#!/pages/Pink-Dot-SG/136911488303

The Pink Dot Organising Committee"

Fundraising tea party

On 20 March 2010, Pink Dot published the following message on its website:

"Come to Pink Dot 2010's fundraising tea party

Dear friends,

We're gearing up for Pinkdot #2 and you can help by coming to our fundraising tea party:

http://pinkdotsg.blogspot.com/2010/03/pinkdots-tea-party-fundraiser.html

On 16 May 2009, a pink dot was formed on the little red dot of Singapore, when 2,500 fellow citizens turned up at Hong Lim Park to make a stand against prejudice and apathy. This year, it is our hope that this inspiring beacon of inclusiveness continue to shine brighter and stronger than before.

You're invited to our fundraiser!

By purchasing tickets to the party, you'll go some way towards helping us defray costs of staging Pinkdot this year. With entertainment provided by Hossan Leong, Emma Yong and Voguelicious, in a snazzy setting with luscious nibbles and refreshments courtesy of House, this fundraiser looks set to be a rollicking, fun-filled prelude to our main event in May.

So put on your party best (pink please) and bring all your bff's (all shapes and shades are welcome). Let Pinkdot's message of love ring even louder and clearer this year!

When: 3.30 to 6.30pm, 28 March 2010, Sunday

Where: House / Barracks Caf , 8D Dempsey Road

Wear: The colour of our IC

Tickets @ S$50, inclusive of drink and finger food, sponsored by House.

A Fabulous Line-up to Raise Fun at Fundraiser!

Local actors, dancers and DJs will perform at PinkDot's 28 March 2010 tea party to help raise funds for the May 15 event. So come have tea with us, beentertained by our line-up of stars, and support the Freedom to Love:

http://pinkdotsg.blogspot.com/

Presenting:

Emma Yong

Unquestionably one of the great actresses and vocalists in the local theatre scene, Emma was recently seen in Glen Goei's film, The Blue Mansion. She is also well-known for being among Singapore's favourite stage trio, the Dim Sum Dollies.

Hossan Leong

A popular stage and screen actor, as well as comedian, Hossan has appeared in numerous plays and television shows. He performs regularly with the Dim Sum Dollies and was also part of the Chestnuts series of plays. To date, he has performed in more than 50 plays and many television programmes.

Voguelicious

The fanciest and sexiest dance crew in Singapore, Voguelicious has been described as THE male Pussycat Dolls. Watch them perform and they promise to "send shivers" down your spine!

DJ KFC

A regular at Loof and OverEasy, DJ KFC's 'no music, no life' philosophy has taken him through the multitudes of musical genres with true verve and appreciation. Known for throwing different genres into his mixes but always keeping the vibe and energy on the floor, his heart and soul shine through his feel good sets.

DJs Twoface Probably the only cutesy girl disc jockey duo in Singapore, Grace Sunami & Linda How, aka DJs Twoface, never fail to come up with the freshest and jui ciest tracks to keep those dancing shoes moving.

You may also like to confirm your attendance on our Facebook event page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid 373493780431&ref mf

Thank you.

The Pink Dot organising committee"

Ambassadors

New celebrity ambassadors, Adrian Pang, Tan Kheng Hua and DJ Big Kid were invited to make the announcement in one of the campaign videos [1],[2] and to host the gathering on the final day. The following video premiered during the fundraising tea party[3]:

Campaign videos

In line with the family theme, a series of four videos featuring true-life accounts of LGBT Singaporeans in strong cohesive families was produced, celebrating the bonds between LGBT people and their families[4],[5],[6],[7],[8].

Music Track: Dreams of a Butterfly by Darren Ng. Edited by He Shuming.

The last episode was a montage of all the LGBT individuals and their family members whom viewers had seen in the previous three videos, plus a few new ones, and ended with a recap of the celebrity ambassadors' call to help make Pink Dot that Saturday, 15 May 2010 at 5 pm.

Call for volunteers

On 29 April 2010, a call for volunteers was sent out to all LGBT groups:

"Be a volunteer at Pink Dot 2010!

Once again, the Pink Dot will make its spectacular appearance on the lawns of the historic Hong Lim Park and if you wish to contribute by means of volunteering, this is the time to roll up your sleeves and say YES!

PINK DOT 2010

Date: 15 May 2009 (Saturday)

Venue: Hong Lim Park/Speakers Corner

Tentative timing of operation for volunteers: 1 pm to 7.30 pm on day of event (do indicate if you can only report at a later time)

This is the second time the Pink Dot event is held. It is a not-for-profit, free-admission, community-bonding multi-cultural activity for all ages, genders, races, religions and sexual orientation to recognise and celebrate the unconditional love for LGBT family members and promote social cohesion among Singaporeans of every kind of sexual orientation. Pink Dot 2010 will happen on the International Day of the Family 2010.

WHAT VOLUNTEERS CAN DO

Formation markers: Guide participants to create the human formation of Pink Dot and other shapes.

Ushers: Hand out leaflets and free gifts, and show participants around.

Stage crew: Assist performers and Pink Dot ambassadors during their appearances.

Photography: Shooting and processing. On the ground or from the air.

Videography: Shooting and post-production.

First Aid: On the standby for anyone in need.

Miscellaneous: And of course, everyone will contribute towards setting up, decorating, dismantling and area cleaning at the park.

Transport: We are looking for a lorry or van that is available with driver for the entire day on 15 May.

HOW TO JOIN

Please send us an email at pinkdotsg@yahoo.com (heading: Pink Dot Volunteer) with the following information:

Name:

Mobile No.:

Email:

Nationality: Singaporean / PR / Foreigner*

Preferred Role: Formation/Usher/Stage Crew/Photography/Videography/First Aid/Transport/Anything*

Other Comments:

[* delete whichever inapplicable]"

Reminder on eve of event

On 14 May 2010, the following message was sent out:

"Reminder: Come make Pink Dot tomorrow (Saturday)!

Dearest friends,

If you're free tomorrow afternoon, why not drop by at Hong Lim Park at 5 pm to support a good cause - the freedom of LGBT Singaporeans to love, with a focus this year on the families of LGBT individuals.

Please wear something pink. If you don't have anything of that colour in your wardrobe, come anyway. We'll be handing out pink umbrellas absolutely free-of-charge. However, supplies are limited, so if you were the recipient of a free pink umbrella last year or if you have one of your own, kindly bring it along with you.

We have a series of exciting multicultural and multiracial performances lined up for you, hosted by our celebrity ambassadors Adrian Pang, Tan Kheng Hua and DJ Big Kid. The programme will start at 5 pm sharp, so it may be a good idea to turn up slightly earlier than that.

The event will climax with the formation of a pink heart, followed by the signature Pink Dot and the song we are singing this year is, "Stand by me".

For more information on this year's Pink Dot event, please visit our website:

http://www.pinkdotsg.blogspot.com/

or pledge your attendance on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid 112331712126338

Thank you.

The Pink Dot organising committee"

Event proper

Pink Dot 2010 was held at Speakers' Corner, Hong Lim Park on Saturday, 15 May at 5 pm[9]. Another record turnout of 4,000 people attired in pink was achieved[10] in a show of support for inclusiveness, diversity and the freedom to love. This made Pink Dot 2010 the largest public gathering ever seen at Speakers' Corner since its opening in 2000, and attractled nearly twice the number that turned up the previous year. Celebrity ambassadors Adrian Pang, Tan Kheng Hua and DJ Big Kid (Johnson Ong) hosted the event which featured multicultural and multiracial performances. It culminated in the formation of a pink heart shape followed by the signature Pink Dot, while participants sang the Ben E. King hit, "Stand by me".

Pink Dot spokesperson Jack Yong said: "We are immensely gratified and touch ed by the show of solidarity and support that Singaporeans have given us. Pink Dot 2010 has reached out and moved even more Singaporeans, straight and gay. It is extremely uplifting to know that Singaporean families are strong enough to look beyond the labels and social prejudices that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Singaporeans face to continue to love and support one another. Pink Dot 2010 is not a demonstration nor a protest, but a celebration of love and kinship."

Adrian Pang, 44, said: "Pink Dot carries a meaningful message about the belief that we all have a right to love and be loved. These values about love and harmony are ones that I would want to impart to my two boys to teach them that life is so much happier when we live with love, understanding, generosity of spirit and compassion. This is why Pink Dot is significant. Things and views won't change overnight, and the wider society will take some time to understand LGBT issues. But it is a start to building positive attitudes to a more open, inclusive and loving society."

Actress Tan Kheng Hua said: "I am honoured to support the peaceful and loving event, which I believe signals a progress of a more open and inclusive Singaporean society."

DJ Big Kid added: "Seeing many Singaporeans at the event, both straight and gay, some who came with their families, was a moving experience. Pink Dot 2010 touched many lives, and is a landmark event in Singapore history."

Pink Dot co-spokesperson, Stephanie Ong, said: "Although the presence of more LGBT individuals is slowly emerging into the mainstream, present societal attitudes keep many others from coming out of the closet. They fear that their honesty will cost them their family, friends, and even their jobs. We believe that Pink Dot 2010 carries a symbol of support and solidarity which will go a long way."

For the first time, the event received video coverage from the local media, namely, Channel News Asia. The Sunday Times also carried an article with a large photograph of the event[11]. Again, there was widespread interest in the international media[12],[13].

On Saturday, 15 May 10 at 10:15 pm, Channel NewsAsia broadcast the following report on Pink Dot 2010[14]:

The reportage was of historical significance as it was the first time that local television used the phrase "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Singaporeans".

See also

• Pink Dot SG
• Sequence of events leading to Pink Dot
• Pink Dot 2011
• Pink Dot 2012
• Pink Dot 2013
• Pink Dot 2014
• Pink Dot 2015
• Pink Dot 2016
• Pink Dot 2017
• Pink Dot 2018
• Pink Dot 2019
• Pink Dot 2020
• Pink Dot 2021
• Pink Dot 2022

References

• "Pink dotted!", The Online Citizen, 16 May 2010[15].

Acknowledgements

This article was written by Roy Tan.