Hong Lim Park was a sea of pink yesterday when annual gay rights rally Pink Dot came around — albeit surrounded by iron-clad security measures such as barriers and personnel making sure that no foreigners came into the grounds.
Pink Dot 2017 held close the mantra of the ‘freedom to love’, but it was not a freedom designated to non-Singaporeans and non-Permanent Residents. A ban against foreigners participating in any events at the Speakers’ Corner had been instituted, prompting a barricaded, caged-up zone in contrast to the free and easy environment of previous editions. Minister of Law K Shanmugam says the measures are needed due to the “current security climate”, but we all know that it’s more than that.
Nonetheless, the government’s hard line stance against “foreign interference” in domestic politics didn’t stop close to 20,000 Singaporeans and Permanent Residents from coming. Just look at the inspiring view from above when the park was lit up at night.
The only change this year was the fact that supporters had to get through bag and body checks, as well as show their pink or blue identity cards to enter the rally.
“Despite the barriers that have been placed in front of us, we are immensely grateful for the massive support Singapore has shown which we feel reflects a turning point in attitudes towards the LGBT community within the greater Singapore fabric,” said Pink Dot SG spokesperson Paerin Choa.
“Even with this restricted space that limits Singapore’s true propensity for love, we feel that we have taken yet another important step in achieving true equality for all Singaporeans.”
The restricted space itself is much of a contention within the LGBT community, who see it as yet another symbolic step by the Singapore government to restrict their freedom. Ivan Heng — the founding artistic director of theatre company W!LD RICE — had some strong words about this year’s Pink Dot. We’re sure that many others feel the same way too.
