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Everything You Need to Know About Pride Month in Singapore

2023-06-03 , 7:37 am

June has finally rolled around, and you know what that means. You’ve successfully wasted half of 2023 accomplishing nothing.

And of course, it’s also pride month in Singapore.

First Pride Month in Singapore Since the Repeal of Section 377A Last Year

On 29 November 2022, history was made in Singapore. Section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalised sex between men, was repealed.

This was a massive step for our nation—a change that was only approved by the Government after nearly two decades of constitutional challenges mounted against the colonial-era law, alongside years of rallies.

This means this year’s pride month will be the first since Singapore repealed Section 377A. And you can bet your bottom dollar that this pride month will be grand.

Here are a couple of events that you should keep a lookout for this year’s pride month in Singapore.

Celebrate Pride Month in Singapore at the 15th Edition of Pink Dot: A Singapore for All Families

What would be pride month in Singapore without bringing up the nation’s landmark LGBTQ+ rally, Pink Dot?

This pride season, you can expect to catch the 15th edition of the iconic rally at Hong Lim Park on 24 June.

You might be thinking: now that Section 377A is repealed, what is there to rally about at Pink Dot?

This year, the rally will draw Singaporean’s focus to another theme instead—celebrating all families in Singapore, including non-traditional ones.

The rally aims to highlight that not only are LGBTQ+ people not a threat to Singapore’s traditional “family values” but also that family members of LGBTQ+ people can learn to accept them.

The usual highlights of Pink Dot will also return this year. Expect to be blown away by performances at the Pink Dot Concert from 4 pm to 7 pm, alongside invigorating speeches and community tents set up for you to learn more about what’s being done to support the LGBTQ+ community.

Be sure to bring a snack to munch on so you can stay for the night-time formation happening at 8 pm!

Grab your friends and family and show up in pink to the rally on 24 June!

My Family Matters: A Community Initiative in Support of Families of LGBTQ+ People

Suppose you don’t want to battle the heat at Hong Lim Park; fret not. There is a whole line-up of other events celebrating pride month in Singapore.

One such event is the “My Family Matters” community initiative which multiple organisations working with the LGBTQ+ community have joined hands to organise.

These organisations include Oogachaga, Pink Dot SG, Supporting and Affirming Family and Friends of LGBT (SAFE), Free Community Church, and the Inter-University LGBT Network.

Talk about a dream team.

If you’re a family member of an LGBTQ+ person, the ongoing tea sessions under the “My Family Matters” initiative are for you. The community initiative aims to allow family members of LGBTQ+ people to learn about the LGBTQ+ community and to meet other Singaporeans in the same situation.

Trust us when we say these tea sessions will be fruitful.

“Many have told Oogachaga about relationship difficulties with their family of origin: parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles. Many feel unsure about what to do when they discover a family member is LGBTQ+, especially the parents,” Leow Yangfa, the executive director of Oogachaga, shared.

In such situations, the “My Family Matters” initiative ensures that family members receive sufficient support in their journey of accepting and supporting an LGBTQ+ family member.

If you’re interested in participating in the tea sessions, why not take the first step this pride month? You can sign up for the 2 July session here or visit the community tent at the Pink Dot rally on 24 June to learn more.

Talks & Stand-Up Comedy Events in Celebration of Pride Month in Singapore

If tea sessions aren’t your cup of tea (pun intended), why not attend a talk or a stand-up comedy event?

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Same But Different, a community group maintaining an online legal guide for the LGBTQ+ community in Singapore, is organising two events this pride season.

The first is a talk on 28 June, and the second is a legal stand-up comedy event on 2 July.

While signup details for both events have yet to be disclosed, you can follow the group’s Facebook page to receive the latest updates.

Pink Fest: A Commercial Festival Returning to Singapore this Pride Month

Pink Fest, Singapore’s commercial festival celebrating pride month, will also return with a series of fun-filled events and activities this year.

The festival’s signature Pasar Pink event will be held on Sunday (4 June) from 11 am to 6 pm in collaboration with Sunday Social. The event will aptly be occurring at the pink-filled Museum of Ice Cream.

Grab your friends to the event and shop at their inclusive market with over 40 brands, soak in the vibes from some live music, or grab a bite from the Goodburger food truck!

Got logged out of your ex-boyfriend’s Netflix account? Why not grab your friends for the Pink Screen film screenings at the Projector this month?

Film screenings at the Projector this pride season include various films ranging from Wong Kar-Wai’s Happy Together to Metamorphosis.

You can find the complete list of film screenings and book your tickets here.

There will also be an Inclusive Careers Fair on 17 June, where you can find exhibition booths, workshops, panel discussions, or even a job!

The fair includes various classes presented by industry giants like foodpanda that you can register for at no cost! Just be sure to pre-register, as entry into the career fair is by ticket only.

Free things, who don’t want?

Prout Hearts: Volunteering With LGBTQ+ Community Groups

Yet, that’s far from all that’s in store for Singaporeans this pride month.

Are you interested in volunteering to support the LGBTQ+ community this pride month? Prout Hearts can help you with that.

This month, Prout Hearts is returning with its volunteer matching programme, which, as the name suggests, matches volunteers to different LGBTQ+ groups.

You won’t have to spend hours ploughing through the depths of the internet to find out how to volunteer with LGBTQ+ community groups anymore. Fill in this form, and you’ll be matched to an LGBTQ+ community group in no time!

The events and activities happening this pride season are endless. From rallies to volunteering opportunities, the LGBTQ+ community groups have got Singaporeans covered.

So, which event are you headed for this pride month?