A Public Show of Support for LGBT Rights in Singapore

by Michael Jones · 2009-04-23 06:36:00 UTC
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Pink DotIt's always great to see countries that criminalize consensual sex acts between same-sex partners turn the corner.  And while it's happening slowly, Singapore is really starting to round the curve when it comes to LGBT rights.

The country has announced that it will no longer prosecute private, consensual, adult sex between two people of the same gender.  Meaning, in essence, that anti-sodomy laws will finally become defunct.  (Of course, it's still illegal to chew gum in Singapore.  Just an FYI.)

Building on this momentum, LGBT rights organizers in Singapore are organizing what many think will be the first ever public show of support for LGBT rights in the nation, with a May 16 event known as "Pink Dot."  And "PInk Dot" sounds flippin' cool.

According to Pink News, LGBT people and their supporters will gather in a "smart mob" on May 16th wearing pink caps, hats, accessories or sunglasses.  A human pink dot will be formed and a photographs will be taken from the air.

Organizers have a countdown clock to the event here, and a Facebook group here.  As event organizers point out, this will be "a gathering of people who believe in the freedom to love and to lend their support towards open-mindedness and understanding."  In other words, it's open to anyone and everyone, straight or LGBT, who want to move Singapore one step closer to fully recognizing LGBT rights.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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