‘Pink Dot’ pride rally canceled in Singapore for first time in 12 years

The Pink Dot rally in 2018. Photo: Watsamon Tri-yasakda / Coconuts Media
The Pink Dot rally in 2018. Photo: Watsamon Tri-yasakda / Coconuts Media

Singapore’s annual LGBTQ event has been canceled for the first time since its 2008 debut due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

Though the annual Hong Lim Park gathering that takes place every June has been called off, supporters will still be able to catch a special program streamed online to mark the occasion. 

Pink Dot takes usually attracts thousands of attendees to the park, mostly in pink, as a show of solidarity for the local lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. But as coronavirus cases surpass 200 in the city-state, the government has called for all public events to be limited to fewer than 250 participants in a push for social distancing. 

The organizers announced yesterday that this year’s June 27 event was canceled for the “health and safety” of the community. But supporters can still mark the occasion by lighting up their homes in pink and tuning into a livestream of performances and online discussions. 

“We hope that the spirit of Pink Dot 12 will continue to shine through from our homes, our workplaces, and our hearts,” the statement read. 

The livestream is set to begin at 6:30pm. More details of the program will be released at a later date. 

Related:

Pink Dot to return to Hong Lim Park in June




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