Singapore gay advocacy group launches academic prize
Sylvia Tan
People Like Us, a gay and lesbian group, are inviting submissions for The Rascals Prize, the first ever award for research work related to the subject of LGBT and Singapore.
People Like Us (PLU), a gay and lesbian group focussed on advocacy and public education, has launched a biennial award worth S$2,000 (US$1,500) for the best research work related to the subject of LGBT and Singapore. The initiative was launched at the opening of Indignation, Singapore's LGBT pride season on Friday night (photo above).
In announcing The Rascals Prize, Russell Heng, one of the founders of PLU, told an audience of about 100 people that the unconventional name was deliberately chosen to commemorate a seminal event 15 years ago where police raided Rascals, a gay-on-Sunday disco.
On the night of May 30, 1993, all the patrons were made to line up and those without identification were hauled off to the police station for the night. The event spurred a group of 22 people led by lawyer Wilfred Ong to petition against the "high-handed police behaviour," according to the PLU web site. The group received an apologetic official reply and the incident is said to have marked the last documented incidence of police harassment of gays.
"The indignation over the raid on Rascals galvanised them into action and thus People Like Us was born," PLU said in a statement sent to Fridae.
Aside from the reference to the incident, Dr Heng told the audience that the name serves to remind that society benefits from having some "rascals" who shake things up from time to time.
"As a society often incapacitated by a need to observe rules, the rascals who dare to ignore, bend or break rules get things done. Activists pushing maverick causes; bloggers who go where media dare not; street protesters who remind us of the right of free association; it's time we learn to celebrate these rascals more," he said.
Explaining the aim of the prize, PLU said, "We believe that the more knowledge a society possesses about sexual orientation, and the social responses to this aspect of our humanity, the faster we will rid ourselves of misunderstanding, stereotype and ignorant prejudice."
The prize is funded by the monies raised at the Wilde movie fundraiser organised by Fridae on May 13, 2008. A cheque for S$10,000 was presented by Fridae to PLU on Friday night.
Citing the group's difficulties in roping in academics or other external help in its early years, Dr Heng told the audience that the four academics he approached agreed without hesitation and sees their response as an indication that society in general has become more understanding of the LGBT cause today.
The jury tasked to select a winner based purely on research and academic merit – whether the work helps or hinders gay activism shall not be a consideration – comprises Professor Michael Hor Yew Meng, (National University of Singapore) NUS Law Faculty, also Chief Editor of the Singapore Journal of Legal Studies; Associate Professor Quah Sy Ren, Acting Head of the Chinese Division, School of Humanities and Social Science, Nanyang Technological University (NTU); Dr Sharon Siddiqui is a partner in a regional research consulting company based in Singapore and former Deputy Director of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies where her research interest covers issues of culture, race and religion; and Dr Kenneth Paul Tan is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS.
The first prize will be awarded in the middle of 2009. Submissions (recent independent research work; or research work submitted to a university, polytechnic college or academic journal) are invited for the first award, with closing date 31 January 2009. For details, visit http://www.plu.sg/society/?p=121.
Fridae.com: Singapore gay advocacy group launches academic prize (Aug 4)
Monday, August 4, 2008
Fridae.com: "Wilde" Fundraising Gala Premiere in support of Indignation (May 13)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Fridae.com, in support of Indignation 2008, is organising the
Singapore premiere of the film "Wilde" on May 13, 2008 at Lido
Cineplex.
As most of you may already know (and have attended the events since
2005), Indignation is Singapore's annual gay pride season will be held
in August this year and comprise talks, art exhibitions, readings of
plays and poetry, and some other social events.
Banned a decade ago in Singapore, the movie "Wilde" (1997) depicts the
rise and fall of the widely known gay Irish-born playwright, Oscar
Wilde. Wilde (played by Stephen Fry) is known for his plays including
Lady Windermere's Fan and The Importance of Being Earnest, are now
classics. Then-newcomer Jude Law plays his lover Lord Alfred Douglas
who wrote the poem, Two Loves, from where the phrase "the love that
dare not speak its name" originated.
Even as Wilde enjoyed his celebrity status, he was madly in love with
a succession of young men, at a time when the law against "gross
indecency" had only recently been passed by Parliament. This law was
the precursor of Singapore's infamous Section 377A. When Wilde was
convicted (and jailed for 2 years) under this law in 1895, it was a
huge scandal and his conviction made him a martyr to the hypocrisy and
persecution represented by such a law.
Why you should support the screening?
Fridae is donating its services in organising this event. Net proceeds
will benefit Indignation where the majority of its events are open to
the public and are traditionally free of charge, in order to be
accessible to everyone.
Fridae, Shaw and Crocodile co-present
The Wilde Indignation Fundraising Gala Premiere (R21)
Date: May 13, Tuesday
Time: 9pm (Reception from 8pm for VIP ticket holders)
Venue: Lido 2, Shaw House, 350 Orchard Road
Tickets are priced at S$20 and S$50 (which includes a reception) are
available on www.fridae.com/wilde. Donations will be accepted online
and at the door.
For info:
wilde fundraiser on may 13 to benefit singapore gay pride festival
http://www.fridae.com/newsfeatures/article.php?articleid=2217&viewarticle=1
oscar wilde - the most celebrated victim of an anti-gay law
http://www.fridae.com/newsfeatures/article.php?articleid=2218&viewarticle=1
Fridae.com: Sun shines on Singapore Queer Cinema (March 26)
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
sun shines on singapore queer cinema
Zee
Filmmaker Sun Koh gathered six other directors to collaborate on an ambitious film experiment called Lucky 7. Not surprisingly, the film has some strong LGBT themes because four of the seven filmmakers are gay.
This year’s Singapore International Film Festival is marked by a strong presence of lesbian movies, lesbian documentaries and women filmmakers. One of those women is the petite, soft-voiced, but feisty 31-year-old Sun Koh.
[PIC]Last year, the Singaporean writer-director embarked on an ambitious film experiment which has never been carried out in Singapore before. She wanted to produce her first ever feature film. But instead of making it herself, she invited six other directors to play a game of “exquisite corpse” with her.
The game – invented by artists in 1925 – began with Sun directing a 10-minute movie. Subsequently, another director was asked to look at only the last minute of her movie and continue with the next 10-minutes of the movie. The game continued with each successive director until all seven directors have made their films.
The final result is Lucky 7, an ambitious mind-bending film that constantly twists and turns from a collision of styles, ideas, themes and genres. It is certainly one of the most intriguing Singaporean films ever made.
The seven filmmakers involved include gay multimedia artist Brian Gothong Tan, as well as the very talented Boo Junfeng, who is the curator of Short Circuit, an annual festival dedicated to LGBT short films. The other four filmmakers are Tania Sng, K Rajagopal, Ho Tzu Nyen and Chew Tze Chuan.
Four of the seven directors are gay. So perhaps not surprisingly, LGBT themes figure largely in some of the works.
Junfeng’s segment, for instance, deals with a transsexual character and his/her relationships with loved ones. Despite the potentially racy subject, Junfeng’s piece turns out to be the most delicate, graceful and transcendent part of the omnibus. I have rarely seen the issue of transgender identity treated with such tenderness and sensitivity.
Sun’s own segment is a quiet and moving drama about the fate of a man who has to care for his bedridden father, while Brian’s piece is an experimental dare that mixes live action with computer animation. Also very good is K. Rajagopal’s abstract piece on sexual identity, persecution and mortality.
Tickets for Lucky 7, which is screening at the Singapore International Film Festival on April 5 and 12, have been selling well.
Sun, who started out in the industry 11 years ago, says she initiated the project because “we Singaporean directors are too isolated, working on our own instead of with each other.” Lucky 7 came about because she wanted to see more collaboration – not competition for resources – between filmmakers.
She contrasts this situation to Malaysia where independent filmmakers such as Amir Muhammad, James Lee, Yasmin Ahmad and Tan Chui Mui routinely help each other out. They take turns to be, say, an actor or a cameraman or an advisor for each other’s productions. In recent years, many of their films have won acclaim and top prizes at prestigious film festivals like Pusan and Rotterdam.
“Now take me, for example,” she says. “I’ve been friends with Wee Li Lin (director of Gone Shopping) for years, but we’ve never had a chance to work on each other’s set.”
Co-director Rajagopal agrees wholeheartedly: “I’ve been making short films for over a decade, but I’ve always felt that I had to do it on my own, that I didn’t really know anyone else.”
From the looks of it though, Sun’s Lucky 7 project has succeeded in changing the “lonewolf” mentality among the filmmakers. All of them played numerous roles for each other’s segments, from art directing to sound recording to managing the catering.
Junfeng even came up with the beautiful story of a transsexual for his segment, because of the provocative images in Rajagopal’s segment – that of a long-haired man wearing bright red fingernails.
Sun jokes: “This might be your only chance to see the film. Because with all the gay innuendoes, it’ll probably never be shown on public screens again.”
Fridae is proud to be a supporting media of the 21st Singapore International Film Festival. The festival will be held from 4 to 14 April, with free programmes and short films screening from 28 Mar. Booking through SISTIC starts 11 Mar. For more information, visit http://www.filmfest.org.sg.
Fridae.com: Australia to get second lesbian parliamentarian (Jan 2)
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
australia to get second lesbian parliamentarian
News Editor
Senator-elect for Western Australia Louise Pratt has become the second openly lesbian woman - after Climate Change Minister Penny Wong - to serve in newly-elected prime minister Kevin Rudd's administration.
Louise Pratt, a former Western Australia Legislative Council member, will take up her Senate seat in July this year. She had notably become the youngest woman ever elected to the Western Australia Legislative Council at the time of her election in 2001.
Having served as a regular spokesperson for prominent advocacy group Gay and Lesbian Equality in WA before her appointment to the Legislative Council, the 35-year-old Labor Party member has been credited for playing a significant role in a gay and lesbian law reform committee that pushed for the passage of the Acts Amendment (Lesbian and Gay Law Reform) Act 2002. It is considered to be some of the most progressive laws in the country. The reforms included a complete ban on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, the granting of the right for same-sex couples to adopt children, a lowering of the age of consent from 21 to 16, the right for same-sex couples to inherit from a deceased partner, and the repeal of legislation which had made it an offence to promote homosexuality in schools.
Pratt was quoted as saying in the gay Sydney Star Observer that law reform for same-sex couples and GLBT individuals would be high on her agenda and has vowed to ensure that her party makes good on its promise to implement all 58 federal laws which discriminate against gays and lesbians.
“It is very exciting to be coming in with the change in government,” Pratt said.
“I think we can already begin to see how different the political landscape is going to be. With (former PM) John Howard gone, we have a much less conservative Opposition leader as well as a Labor government.”
Defending her party’s resolve to reform gay and lesbian laws nationally, she said, “I can only go from my experience. At a State level, we promised we would reform the law and we did.”
“We have committed to changing the laws at a national level, and Kevin Rudd is already asking his Cabinet colleagues to pursue election promises.
“The proof will be in the pudding, and I look forward to having that dialogue with the lesbian and gay community as we undertake the reform agenda.”
Her other key policy interests as stated on her web site include environmental issues; refugees, minority and gender equity issues; social, economic and environmental sustainability; and family policy, including child welfare, adoption, childcare and life work family balance.
Fridae.com: The 2008 Fridae List: Vote Now! (Dec 26)
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
the 2008 fridae æ list: vote now!
By News Editor
Introducing the 2008 Fridae æ List - the first Fridae readers' choice awards where members are given the chance to pick their favourite LGBT (friendly) establishments, parties, and businesses in eight countries and 13 cities across Asia.
The Fridae æ (pronounced like the letter ‘a’) List – the first awards of its kind in Asia - has been designed to recognise the efforts of establishments and businesses that serve the LGBT community.
While some of these establishments are located in modern gay-friendly cities, others are seen to be pushing the envelope by simply existing to meet the needs of and/or providing a safe space for LGBT individuals to socialise.
The awards also seek to acknowledge the efforts of individuals who have tirelessly championed the rights of LGBT people; and inspire others to affect change wherever they are.
Earlier this month, readers were asked to nominate their favourite dance clubs, bars, lesbian venues, saunas, businesses, bookstores, activists, DJs as well as LGBT-themed web sites (other than Fridae), plays, films, books, magazines and events in their city and/or country. Taking into consideration the nominations received, the nominees for the poll were shortlisted by Fridae editors and regional correspondents.
The top five establishments that receive the largest number of votes stand to receive an advertising and promotion package on Fridae worth US$10,000.
Each Fridae member may only vote once per category per city/country and have till Jan 10 when the poll closes to change their vote. Live tallying of results will be displayed up to three days before end of polling. Winners will be announced on Jan 14.
To vote and for terms and conditions, visit www.fridae.com/aelist.
Fridae.com: Health Authorities and MSM Community must co-operate to combat HIV in Singapore: Minister Balaji (Dec 15)
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Health Authorities and MSM Community must co-operate to combat HIV in Singapore: Minister Balaji
By Sylvia Tan
Citing Sydney's success in reducing HIV prevalence rates among MSM, Dr Balaji Sadasivan urged for greater co-operation among health authorities, the NGOs and the MSM community to reduce HIV infection rates.
Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on HIV/AIDS, urged for greater co-operation among health authorities, the NGOs and the MSM community to reduce HIV infection rates.
The Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Information, Communications and the Arts was the guest of honour at the HOPE (HIV Outreach: Prevention & Empowerment) concert held at the Kreta Ayer People's Theatre on Thursday night.
[PIC]According to organisers, the event which featured Los Angeles-based gay Christian pop duo and real life couple Jason and deMarco, and local performers including John Lee, Hossan Leong, Selena Tan, nominated Member of Parliament Eunice Olsen, and hosts Chua Enlai and Mistevious.
"We have waited two years for this," quipped Jason, one-half of the duo who was barred by the Singapore authorities from performing in 2005. Concert organisers Safehaven, a ministry of gay-affirmative Free Community Church, had tried to organise a similar event with the duo but had their application turned down by the Media Development Authority.
The number of new HIV infections is on rise with an estimated 30 percent of the 356 newly detected cases of HIV cases between January and October this year contracted through male-to-male contact. The number will surpass last year's record of 357 of which 26 per cent were MSM.
The former Senior Minister of State for Health told the audience that there has been a resurgence in the prevalence rates of HIV among MSM communities in the west while in some Asian cities, one in four MSM are testing positive for HIV. He cited Sydney as an example of a city which has bucked the trend and which Singapore can take lessons from.
"In Australia... particularly the city of Sydney, the prevalence of HIV has been low and what is more remarkable it has been going down in the MSM community over the last decade," he said.
"The way they seem to have achieved this is through co-operation between the health authorities, the NGOs and the MSM community working together to create a culture of safer sex and regular HIV testing. If we can follow the Sydney model in Singapore and work together – the health officials, the NGOs and the MSM community – there's no reason why we cannot achieve what they have done in Sydney – low prevalence rate, in fact, decreasing prevalence rate."
In July this year, Dr Balaji had gone on a study trip to Sydney, accompanied by health officials and representatives from AFA, Fridae and Oogachaga, a gay and lesbian affirmative counselling agency.
Although it was not advertised in the programme, People Like Us – a group dedicated to public education and equal treatment for gay and lesbian citizens – took the opportunity to honour Reverend Dr Yap Kim Hao with the inaugural PLU (People Like Us) Dignity Award.
Reverend Yap, who currently serves as Pastoral Advisor to the Free Community Church, is known to be an outspoken supporter of the LGBT community - speaking publicly and writing frequently to the press.
The 78-year-old told Fridae in an interview: "I have been doing what comes 'naturally' in my continuing concern for the minorities who are being discriminated because of their race, religion, economic condition, gender and sexual orientation. It is my conviction that God loves and cares for such people more because they are being 'sinned against' by those who are politically powerful and economically dominating."
"The gathering of over 900 predominantly LGBT people at the Hope concert with (mostly) gay talented artistes is a significant milestone in the struggles for gay acceptance in what has often been regarded as a conservative Singapore society. It is to pledge to combat HIV/AIDS and to engage in safe and responsible sex. To be safe is to be responsible for we have to do what we believe to be morally right for ourselves, partners and human community."
Fridae.com: Health Authorities and MSM Community must co-operate to combat HIV in Singapore: Minister Balaji (Dec 15)
Health Authorities and MSM Community must co-operate to combat HIV in Singapore: Minister Balaji
By Sylvia Tan
Citing Sydney's success in reducing HIV prevalence rates among MSM, Dr Balaji Sadasivan urged for greater co-operation among health authorities, the NGOs and the MSM community to reduce HIV infection rates.
Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on HIV/AIDS, urged for greater co-operation among health authorities, the NGOs and the MSM community to reduce HIV infection rates.
The Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Information, Communications and the Arts was the guest of honour at the HOPE (HIV Outreach: Prevention & Empowerment) concert held at the Kreta Ayer People's Theatre on Thursday night.
[PIC]According to organisers, the event which featured Los Angeles-based gay Christian pop duo and real life couple Jason and deMarco, and local performers including John Lee, Hossan Leong, Selena Tan, nominated Member of Parliament Eunice Olsen, and hosts Chua Enlai and Mistevious.
"We have waited two years for this," quipped Jason, one-half of the duo who was barred by the Singapore authorities from performing in 2005. Concert organisers Safehaven, a ministry of gay-affirmative Free Community Church, had tried to organise a similar event with the duo but had their application turned down by the Media Development Authority.
The number of new HIV infections is on rise with an estimated 30 percent of the 356 newly detected cases of HIV cases between January and October this year contracted through male-to-male contact. The number will surpass last year's record of 357 of which 26 per cent were MSM.
The former Senior Minister of State for Health told the audience that there has been a resurgence in the prevalence rates of HIV among MSM communities in the west while in some Asian cities, one in four MSM are testing positive for HIV. He cited Sydney as an example of a city which has bucked the trend and which Singapore can take lessons from.
"In Australia... particularly the city of Sydney, the prevalence of HIV has been low and what is more remarkable it has been going down in the MSM community over the last decade," he said.
"The way they seem to have achieved this is through co-operation between the health authorities, the NGOs and the MSM community working together to create a culture of safer sex and regular HIV testing. If we can follow the Sydney model in Singapore and work together – the health officials, the NGOs and the MSM community – there's no reason why we cannot achieve what they have done in Sydney – low prevalence rate, in fact, decreasing prevalence rate."
In July this year, Dr Balaji had gone on a study trip to Sydney, accompanied by health officials and representatives from AFA, Fridae and Oogachaga, a gay and lesbian affirmative counselling agency.
Although it was not advertised in the programme, People Like Us – a group dedicated to public education and equal treatment for gay and lesbian citizens – took the opportunity to honour Reverend Dr Yap Kim Hao with the inaugural PLU (People Like Us) Dignity Award.
Reverend Yap, who currently serves as Pastoral Advisor to the Free Community Church, is known to be an outspoken supporter of the LGBT community - speaking publicly and writing frequently to the press.
The 78-year-old told Fridae in an interview: "I have been doing what comes 'naturally' in my continuing concern for the minorities who are being discriminated because of their race, religion, economic condition, gender and sexual orientation. It is my conviction that God loves and cares for such people more because they are being 'sinned against' by those who are politically powerful and economically dominating."
"The gathering of over 900 predominantly LGBT people at the Hope concert with (mostly) gay talented artistes is a significant milestone in the struggles for gay acceptance in what has often been regarded as a conservative Singapore society. It is to pledge to combat HIV/AIDS and to engage in safe and responsible sex. To be safe is to be responsible for we have to do what we believe to be morally right for ourselves, partners and human community."
Fridae.com: Malaysia-born lesbian lawyer becomes Australia's first openly gay cabinet minister (Dec 5)
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
malaysia-born lesbian lawyer becomes australia’s first openly gay cabinet minister
News Editor
Senator Penny Wong has been appointed Australia's first climate change and water minister - making her both the country’s first openly gay and Asian-born cabinet minister.
South Australia Senator Penny Wong Ying Yen, a 39-year-old lawyer who was born in the East Malaysian state of Sabah, was named Australia’s first climate change and water minister by newly-installed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who was sworn in on Monday.
The Labor Party leader and former diplomat officially ended John Howard's reign as Australia's second-longest serving Prime Minister after winning a landslide election victory over Howard's 11-year-old coalition last week.
Wong, who was born in Sabah's capital of Kota Kinabalu to a Malaysian Chinese Hakka father and an Australian mother, emigrated to Australia as an eight-year-old in 1977. She worked as a lawyer before being elected as a Labor Senator for South Australia in November 2001.
Wong was appointed Shadow Minister for Employment and Workforce Participation, and Shadow Minister for Corporate Governance and Responsibility in October 2004.
Described by newspaper commentators as “the smart rising star of Australian politics” and “a template of Australia's multicultural future,” Wong spoke of her family history and race issues during her first parliamentary speech in August 2002. She spoke critically of former PM Howard's tolerance of Pauline Hanson’s views and called for the reclamation of the phrase `one nation' referencing Hanson’s One Nation Party which promoted racist and anti-immigration views and policies.
“Then there was Pauline Hanson, who said we were in danger of being overrun by Asians. And what did the Prime Minister do? Did he as the Prime Minister show that moral leadership which was called for?”
“Leadership was called for, not to deny freedom of speech but to assert the harm in what she said. Leadership was called for, but it was not provided.”
Last year, the outspoken senator again criticised the Howard Government for overturning the Australian Capital Territory Civil Unions Act.
“The ACT government has chosen to do this [legislate for the recognition of and therefore consequent rights for same-sex relationships]. It is a proposition even President Bush is on the record as countenancing, and the logic really is difficult to fault. If you deny access to one institution – that is, marriage – is it appropriate that you also deny any alternative form of recognition to such relationships via state and territory laws? The only reason you would deny alternative recognition is because your position is in fact that you do not want any recognition for those relationships and therefore no consequent rights. Yet this is precisely what the Howard government seeks to do in relation to the ACT.”
Wong, the Prime Minister and Environment Minister Peter Garrett who might be better known as the former frontman of Australian rock band Midnight Oil, are expected to attend the United Nations Climate Change (UNCC) conference in Bali next week.
Next page: Extracts of her maiden speech - Reclaiming One Nation and speech on the ACT Civil Unions Act in parliament
Extracts of parliamentary speeches by Penny Wong
Maiden Speech - Reclaiming One Nation: 21 Aug 2002
Then there was Pauline Hanson, who said we were in danger of being overrun by Asians. And what did the Prime Minister do? Did he as the Prime Minister show that moral leadership which was called for? When asked to comment on whether Aboriginal and Asian Australians should be protected from people like Pauline Hanson, the Prime Minister said:
Well, are you saying that somebody shouldn't be allowed to say what she said? I would say in a country such as Australia people should be allowed to say that.
What sort of message does this send to our community? That it is acceptable to rail against people who look different? That these sorts of comments are no different from any other sort of political commentary? Leadership was called for, not to deny freedom of speech but to assert the harm in what she said. Leadership was called for, but it was not provided.
ACT Civil Unions Act: 15 Jun 2006
The ACT government has chosen to do this [legislate for the recognition of and therefore consequent rights for same-sex relationships]. It is a proposition even President Bush is on the record as countenancing, and the logic really is difficult to fault. If you deny access to one institution – that is, marriage – is it appropriate that you also deny any alternative form of recognition to such relationships via state and territory laws? The only reason you would deny alternative recognition is because your position is in fact that you do not want any recognition for those relationships and therefore no consequent rights. Yet this is precisely what the Howard government seeks to do in relation to the ACT.
This is exemplified by the government’s refusal to engage with the ACT to find a constructive solution to this. They have not engaged because they do not want a resolution. They say it is too like a marriage. I will pose some questions to the government, but I doubt I will get an answer. Which rights do you say ought to be removed in order for this bill to become acceptable? Which rights would you delete in order for it to be acceptable for a same-sex relationship to have recognition? Which rights would you remove in order for this to be okay? Would it be medical consent? Would it be the fact that you have to pay stamp duty? Would it be the disposition of property? Would it be the rights if someone dies intestate? Which of these rights, which are conferred through the ACT legislation, so offend this government that they have to strike this law down?
If it is one particular right, such as the stamp duty issue, perhaps you should put it back to the ACT government that you would like that taken out. Which rights do you want removed? The fact is, you will not engage in that discussion because ultimately you do not want recognition of those relationships. I doubt that the government will answer me when I ask them which rights should be removed to make this legislation acceptable.
Videos and podcasts of Senator Penny Wong's speeches are available on www.pennywong.com.au.
AP: Singapore reforms sex laws - but not for homosexuals (Oct 24)
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Associated Press
Wednesday October 24, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
MPs in Singapore have legalised oral and anal sex for adult heterosexuals but kept the ban on gay sex, saying that the bill was what citizens in the conservative island state wanted.
The reforms, which were passed on Tuesday, represent the most extensive revision of the conservative city state's penal code in more than two decades.
The changes mean oral and anal sex between consenting heterosexual adults is no longer an offense but section 377A, which deals with oral and anal sex between consenting men, remains in force.
The "gross indecency" offence carries a maximum penalty of two years in jail although it is rarely punished in Singapore, which has a thriving gay community.
"Singapore is basically a conservative society," the prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, told MPs before the vote. "The family is the basic building block of this society. And by family in Singapore we mean one man, one woman, marrying, having children and bringing up children within that framework of a stable family unit."
Mr Lee also warned gay rights activists against forcing the issue, which he said had become an emotional and divisive matter that was best left to evolve gradually.
"The more gay activists push this agenda, the stronger will be the push-back from conservative forces," Mr Lee said. "The result will be counterproductive because it's going to lead to less space for the gay community in Singapore."
A petition for homosexual sex to be legalised was signed by 2,341 people over three days. Supporters said the government's plan to legalise only oral and anal sex for heterosexual adults was unjust.
Stuart Koe, one of the petitioners and chief executive of the Hong Kong-based group Fridae.com, an online community of gays and lesbians in Asia, said: "We're obviously very disappointed ... but the petitioners feel that the way moving forward probably would not be to continue politicising or lobbying directly for a repeal, but working with society and within the community to try to foster a greater understanding."
Other amendments included a ban on necrophilia, tougher penalties for sex with minors under 14, and penalties for men who rape their wives, in some instances.
Book Launch of OYoung Wenfeng - Tong Gen Sheng
Monday, August 6, 2007
Dear readers, We are pleased to inform you that you have been registered for this event and we cordially invite you to attend this book launch and meet-the-readers session with Oyoung Wenfeng. You may also bring along your friends and family to attend this event. Event poster: http://www.fridae.com/promo/oyoung/20070801.htm Please note that the event will now be held in Mox Cafe (same address: 21 Tanjong Pagar Road #04-01, accessible by the lift next to Ya Kun Kaya Toast coffee shop) at 7 pm. You may enter the cafe from 6.30 pm if you wish to chat with the writer before the event. Books by Oyoung will be sold at the event. We look forward to meeting you! Pelangi Pride Centre and Fridae (to read the chinese text in this email, please switch text encoding to UTF.) ------------------------------------------------------- Pelangi Pride Centre and Fridae presents 欧阳文风新书《同根生》推介会及 "走出来以后"同志与非同志心情分享会 Book Launch of a book for those who are queer and those who are not and "After Coming Out" a meeting of hearts and minds with readers conducted in Mandarin and English 8 August 2007, at Mox Cafe (21 Tanjong Pagar Road #04-01) http://www.fridae.com/promo/oyoung/20070801.htm Award-winning journalist and writer Oyoung Wenfeng will be launching his 15th book in Chinese here in Singapore on 8 August at Bianco in Tanjong Pagar. This event is by invitation only and interested readers are welcome to register (details below) and join us for a session to share your thoughts and feelings with the author. Admission is free of charge and Oyoung's books can be purchased at the event. In Oyoung's latest collection of writings, entitled Tong Gen Sheng (同根生), he explores a broad range of queer and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) issues concerning sexual minorities and their place in modern society. It is a book written as much for those who are queer as for those who are not. In the author's eyes, the destinies of homosexuals are not just about themselves but part of a broader, common fate shared by the entire society. Born in Malaysia and presently based in the US, Oyoung has been a celebrated columnist and journalist with the Sin Chew Daily in Malaysia since the 90s, winning amongst other accolades, the Malaysian Best Journalist of the Chinese Press Award in 1996. Among his published works are 15 volumes of writings, including essays, commentaries, Sociology of Body, God Loves Gays, Gays Love God, A Transient New Yorker's Journal. A year ago, he published the ground-breaking autobiography Is Present the Future? - An Asian Gay Man’s Coming Out Journey, (《现在是以后了吗？》), detailing his life and an emotional journey from childhood on to a long and tumultuous coming-out process as a gay man, and as a celebrity writer, a student, a husband, a son, a scholar, a traveller, an ethnic minority, a Christian and an Asian. On May 27 this year, he became the first openly gay Malaysian pastor after being ordained at the Metropolitan Community Church in New York. Currently a doctoral student in Theology at Boston University and he is also a PhD candidate for Sociology at the City University of New York. He holds a Masters degree in Sociology from Minnesota State University, as well as a Masters in Divinity degree from Saint Peter's University, New Jersey. He has written extensively on LGBT issues and history, queer and gender studies, social and current affairs, post-colonialism, and the sociology of religions and faiths. Oyoung's recent published works are available on Fridae Shop for international delivery: http://www.fridae.com/shop/ Details of Event Date: 8 August 2007 (Wednesday) Time: 7 pm Venue: Mox Cafe Address: 21 Tanjong Pagar Road #04-01 (take lift next to Ya Kun Kaya Toast to Level 4, above Mox Cafe) Map: http://www.pelangipridecentre.org/contact/contact.htm Admission is free, but as the event is by invitation only, prior registration is required. Oyoung's recent books can be purchased at the event. The author will be glad to autograph for readers. Participants may use Mandarin or English to communicate with the author.Oyoung Wenfeng's
Tong Gen Sheng
More Details at
OYoung at Bianco on 8 Aug, 7pm
Saturday, August 4, 2007
FRIDAE and PELANGI PRIDE CENTRE PRESENTS
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欧阳文风新书 Book Launch of conducted in Mandarin and English Date: 8 August 2007 (Wednesday) Map and directions: http://www.pelangipridecentre.org/contact/contact.htm >> 网上订购欧阳文风著作 Buy Oyoung' books online >> 欧阳文风专栏 Oyoung's column on Fridae >> Interview: oyoung wenfeng: i want to bring our people home >> famed malaysian columnist, oyoung wenfeng, comes out in new book >> 欧阳文风官方网站 Oyoung's Official Website
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| Registration of Interest | ||
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| Note: | |
 | | Admission is free, but as the event is by invitation only, prior registration is required. 入场免费，有意出席者请预先报名登记。 |
| | You will be contacted by email and/or phone with the invitation to the event. 我们会通过电邮或电话发出邀请。 |
| | Oyoung's recent books can be purchased at the event. 活动现场将售卖欧阳文风叫好叫座的近作。 |
| | The author will be glad to autograph for readers.作者会为读者签名留念。 |
| | Participants may use Mandarin or English to communicate with the author. 读者在现场可用中英文与作者交流。 |
| | Fridae and Pelangi Pride Centre reserve the right to refuse entry to any person at our sole discretion.主办单位保留拒绝任何人士入场的权利。 |
| | Enquiries 询问: Please send an email to chinese@fridae.com. or call
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ST: Most with AIDS virus don't know they have it - Balaji off to Australia with Fridae.com and OC
Thursday, July 19, 2007
July 18, 2007
Most with Aids virus don't know they have it
By Judith Tan
THIS is the bad news in Singapore's fight against Aids: Most adults who are infected do not know it, and some are being treated wrongly in hospitals.
A study of more than 3,000 leftover blood samples from public hospital patients early this year showed that one in 350 was infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which causes Aids.
This is consistent with a UNAids estimate that 0.3 per cent of Singapore's adult population is infected with the Aids virus.
If accurate, this would mean that Singapore has about 9,000 infected adults, much more than the official figure of 2,852 people, including 25 children, who are HIV-positive, and 1,547 with Aids.
But worryingly, neither the patients in the study nor their doctors were aware. Infected men outnumbered women 15 to one and all were being treated for other medical conditions.
As the study was done anonymously, none of the infected patients was traced and all will remain undiagnosed unless they undergo a HIV test.
Revealing this yesterday, Senior Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Information, Communications and the Arts) Balaji Sadasivan called it a serious problem with implications for patients, healthcare workers and hospitals.
He described three kinds of patients who may be undergoing treatment while unaware of their HIV status.
The least serious: a patient who seeks treatment for myopia or short-sightedness and has Lasik treatment which does not have an impact on his condition. His health does not suffer directly from the missed diagnosis, but he has lost an opportunity to be treated early for HIV infection.
More serious: in treating a patient's symptoms, doctors may unknowingly prescribe drugs that worsen his ability to fight disease.
For example, the patient may be given steroids, which reduce his immunity to disease and could trigger HIV-related infections.
Then, there are the patients whose symptoms may be totally HIV-related. But because they have been misdiagnosed, they receive the wrong treatment.
Dr Balaji cited the example of a HIV-infected person who falls ill with chronic diarrhoea and weight loss.
If his status is not known, he might end up having many expensive and unnecessary investigations like MRI scans and colonoscopy, and a wrong diagnosis could still be made.
A simple HIV test would have allowed the patient to be treated correctly, he said.
But many of those at risk refuse to get tested for HIV, fearing the stigma associated with Aids.
Doctors are also not allowed to conduct HIV tests on patients without their consent.
Dr Balaji stressed that he was not pushing for mandatory testing, but urged those at risk to get themselves tested.
Speaking at the launch of Art Revelations, a workplace HIV/Aids education programme, he called the blood sample study a milestone in Singapore's fight against Aids.
He said hospitals and the medical establishment should reflect on the implications and come up with new ways of caring for patients with HIV.
The medical fraternity should worry about the current situation, because misdiagnosis might well lead to complaints of professional failure against doctors and hospitals.
But rather than compel patients to get tested, he said doctors should explain and tell them why they would be better off knowing if they have HIV so that they could be treated.
Dr Balaji is off to Sydney today to learn more about Australian best practices in fighting HIV and Aids.
He is leading a Ministry of Health study team which includes ministry experts as well as members of activist groups Action for Aids, Fridae.com. and Oogacharga.
CNA: Hundreds attend forum on decriminalisation of homosexual acts
Monday, July 16, 2007
By the way:
Gay Issues Website - Fridae.com
Gay Equality Lobby Group - People Like Us
SINGAPORE: Should Section 377A of the Penal Code which criminalises homosexual acts be repealed?
This topic was hotly debated at a forum attended by over 200 people on Sunday evening.
Most put up their hands in agreement when asked by the moderator of the forum, organised by theatre group W!ld Rice, if section 377A of the penal code which criminalises homosexual acts ought to be repealed.
But will opinion polls shape government thinking?
Says Baey Yam Keng, Member of Parliament, Tanjong Pagar GRC, "I don't think the government will be making a decision based on a survey. The government will want to make its own stand and position on issues like this, and for this it requires a mindset shift."
Says Stuart Koe, CEO, Gay Issues website, "The role of the law is to protect minorities, not to protect majorities, so I disagree that we need a majority view before we repeal 377A."
Siew Kum Hong, Nominated Member of Parliament, believes, "You've got to phrase it in the lingo that will convince the government, and what is that lingo? I think we all know. It is all about growth, job, money. And if you can make a convincing case that 377A is somehow affecting that, then I think you've got a really good chance."
Says Alex Au, Founding Member, Gay Equality Lobby Group, "Taking the economic argument presents a danger, which is to buy into the whole ideology that ultimately humans are digits. I want to base an argument purely on the human rights. "
Gay identity is very fundamental, it is as fundamental as your ethnic identity, as your linguistic identity, as your religious identity. That being the case, therefore the state through its tools, law, should give equal recognition to that liberty to express your identity."
One forum participant says for MPs to be able to vote according to their conscience in Parliament the whip must be lifted for this bill.
Says Baey, "Personally, I think that the whip should be lifted for a very open debate and open expression of opinion by the MPs. And if that is so I would vote for a repeal of the act. From my understanding of my parliamentary colleagues, my guess is that I will be the minority."
Almost everyone at the forum agrees that such a forum would not have been possible just five years ago.
It is a sign that Singapore is now a lot more open to different points of views.
Section 377A is expected to come up for debate in parliament. - CNA/yy
Fridae.com: Interview with Filmmaker and Interviewees for Singapore's Latest Lesbian Documentary
Friday, July 6, 2007
| July 5, 2007 |
| women who love women: conversations in singapore |
| By News Editor |
| Premiering this Saturday, WOMEN who LOVE WOMEN: Conversations in Singapore features three Singaporean lesbians who talk about their lives in the city state where same-sex acts are still illegal. |
| Produced by 33-year-old graduate student Ngiam Su-Lin and directed by Lim Mayling, the 65-minute film is one of few documentaries ever made about lesbians in Singapore. According to the film's publicity material, it seeks to “capture the lives of lesbians who have chosen to live authentically and is a testament to the courage, tenacity and experiences of lesbians living in Singapore.” The three women - Amanda Lee, Sabrina Renee Chong and Gea Swee Jean - will share their coming out experiences, and their views on topics such as coming out and relationships. WOMEN who LOVE WOMEN: Conversations in Singapore premieres on Saturday, Jul 7, at Pelangi Pride Centre, Bianco, 21 Tanjong Pagar Road, #04-01 at 4.30pm. There will be a Question & Answer session with the interviewees and filmmaker, May Ling following the screening. As the screening on Jul 7 has reached maximum capacity, a second screening + Question & Answer session has been organised on July 21. Free entry. Fridae speaks to 27-year-old Mayling who is an event/project manager and the three interviewees, Sabrina, Amanda and Swee Jean about their involvement in the project. æ: How did this project come about? Mayling: I was approached by Su-Lin who wanted to produce a film; a snapshot of the lives of lesbians in Singapore. At that time I was looking to make a documentary and was exploring options in terms of subject matter. It is difficult if not impossible to find an honest portrayal of the lesbian community in Singapore. I was presented with the opportunity to fill that space through lesbians who were willing to be interviewed and share their lives and views onscreen. I felt it was the right time and what better way to put my skills to use since it will give a face to lesbians in Singapore and perhaps move on to serve as a platform for others to build upon. æ: What drew you to this film? Why did you want to make a documentary about lesbians in Singapore? Mayling: The common purpose underlying this documentary is to give an honest portrayal of the interviewees and in the process give a face to the lesbian community in Singapore. To shout out that we exist and provide a better understanding of issues concerning the lesbian community by allowing these individuals to express their different perspectives. æ: How were the three subjects selected? What were you looking for? Mayling: We were looking to feature lesbians from different age groups. They will have to be comfortable about revealing their stories to possibly a mass, international audience. Through email blasts, word of mouth, we met with the possible candidates. It was a tough ride since most lesbians are private people with many other things to worry about in their lives and most were concerned about the final representation of the documentary. In the end, we were fortunate to have gotten the three women. They cast their fears aside, trusted us with their story and opinions and were supportive throughout the whole process. æ: What's your advice for budding filmmakers who are looking to document gay/lesbian life in their community? Mayling: Steady hands and a good heart. Sabrina Renee Chong, 39, photographer & events specialist æ: When were you first aware of your attraction to women? Sabrina: I was first aware that I was attracted to women/girls when I was eight years old. I was Primary 3 in a convent school and this other girl at school and I were "fighting" over this girl we both liked. æ: Michael J Fox once said, "Film is forever." Did you feel any apprehension having your very personal experiences and thoughts on public record? What made you decide to do it? Sabrina: I do feel apprehensive about how people will react to the film and what we’ve said in it. It is a coming out of sorts again to the world but in greater detail. But it is my hope that this film will: 1. help lesbians all over the world to understand and embrace their own sexuality and individuality, 2. pave the way for greater acceptance of the GLBT community in Singapore and Asia and 3. help families and friends understand their gay and lesbian child/friend and bridge the distance between them. It is my hope that gay and lesbians can have the invaluable source of support from their families and friends as they are growing up. As I was growing up, I had no one to turn to for help and direction with regards to understanding and coming to terms with my sexuality. It was a bewildering time and I hope that this film will help those who are discovering and coming to terms with their gay sexuality. æ: What's your vision for the gay/lesbian community in Singapore/Asia? Sabrina: I hope that gays and lesbians can be assimilated and accepted by society at large and be recognised for the individuals that they are and the contributions that they make. There are so many talented gays and lesbians in our midst who do make contributions to the arts, social causes, etc, but in spite of that, the GLBT community in Singapore and Asia is still very marginalised. It's very strange but in some countries/places that are not as advanced or "forward" as Singapore, they seem to have greater acceptance of gays and lesbians. I hope that Singapore as progressive as it may seem will truly come of age and be in the rankings of first world countries where GLBT community are accepted in their own home countries. Amanda Lee, 23, student æ: When were you first aware of your attraction to women? Amanda: I have always been aware and comfortable with the possibility of my attraction to women. I started my primary education in a convent school, where I nurtured strong female friendships that didn't center around boys. When I moved on to a co-ed environment in secondary school (which upset my father for a while because it wasn't a Catholic school), I was immediately alienated by the excessive, and often oppressive heterosexual energy. I always felt a little affronted by how differently the girls behaved in the presence of boys, and the whole experience strengthened my belief that boys were not my cup of tea! Add to that, I've always loved the female body. A friendly male classmate in secondary school would pass me notes with rather artistic anatomically accurate nudes that he had drawn, and I would always prefer looking at the females. So, when I experienced my first sexual attraction to a woman, albeit a little late at 21 but so intense it seemed to have made up for lost time, it was something that felt natural, almost like I'd been expecting it. Michael J Fox once said, "Film is forever." Did you feel any apprehension having your very personal experiences and thoughts on public record? What made you decide to do it? Amanda: I really appreciate how open and supportive this process of being in the documentary has been for me. We were consulted and affirmed every step of the way. Even when I had my doubts, I felt comfortable enough to raise them and discuss within the team as opposed to being obligated to just move along. It helped that Su-Lin, the producer, is a very persuasive person! The decision to be showcased in this documentary was easy enough for me. I strongly believe in what it sets out to do. If someone sees me in it and wants to talk about it, I know I am ready to. What was more difficult was thinking through and dealing with the opinions of some people, well-meaning I'm sure, mostly on the possible repercussions on my future work. The job that I was holding then was no issue because I enjoyed a supportive environment where I was 'out and proud' in a cosy department of four. The company I was working at has a strong anti-discrimination policy and out of the gamut of corporate philanthropy work they do, they also back programs to advance the rights of gays and lesbians and champion civil unions. It makes a great difference to work in such a gay-affirmative, inclusive environment. I was just talking to Swee Jean, one of the other girls on the documentary, and we compared our view on work with the mentality of an older generation. We are confident of our skills, we know that our youth, willingness to learn and to be mobile gives us a certain privilege to choose. While I call it our 'youthful arrogance', I believe that there is no reason for us to fear not having a job. I suppose we're pretty sure we don't ever want to enter politics, haha. Ultimately, I don't believe in living my life in fear. By putting ourselves and our stories out there, we hope that it will give a face to the Singaporean lesbian community. We may be invisible to the law, and a minority in society, but we are here and our lives are as authentic and important as the next person on the street. We may not know how the future will pan out, but none of us ever do. The best we can, and must do, is follow the truth of our hearts, bravely. Given that the interviews were done about a year ago, has there been any drastic change in views or opinions that you would like to share with those who have or are going to see it? Now is the time... Many things have changed for me since filming for the documentary. I've moved on from a job I loved to being a student again. I am currently pursuing a degree in liberal arts in Canberra, Australia, and majoring in gender studies. In the documentary, I talk a fair bit about my relationship with my first girlfriend. That has since ended. It has been difficult for me, but in the healing process, I have learnt so much about myself and best of all, I have found myself an unlikely ally, my mother. She has been terribly supportive in her odd little ways during my breakup, and now, our relationship is the best it's ever been. I guess absence has made the heart fonder too. I still believe in everything I said in the documentary. It really is my personal story, and the more I experience and learn, the more I am convinced of the importance of a documentary like this. And I think the timing of its release is perfect, following recent public debates on whether lesbian sex should be criminalised, and the furor created after Minister Mentor Lee mentioned the possible abolishing of laws with regards to homosexuality. Another thing that hasn't changed- I still feel a little awkward seeing myself on film! æ: What's your vision for the gay/lesbian community in Singapore/Asia? Amanda: I hope that all of us can be a little braver in our little ways. A life lived in fear is a life half-lived. I have had the privilege of living openly because of what other gay people have done ahead of me. I have seen how a little effort and sincerity in sharing one's life with another person has given them a reason to rethink their negative views of gay people. I experienced my first Mardi Gras in Sydney this year, and I was so proud I almost cried. It is important for us to reach out, both in our gay and heterosexual communities, and build honest and healthy networks for ourselves. I don't think a perfect world for gay people is one where our sexuality is a non-issue, in fact, I see that there is so much for us to celebrate as gay people. We own the privileged view of an outsider; the opportunity to sift through the 'givens' in life to create our own paths. I guess I have plenty of pride as a gay person, and I hope every gay person would claim that same pride for themselves. Gea Swee Jean, 24, Business Manager æ: When and how did you come out? Swee Jean: When I was about 19, I started feeling like I couldn’t contain my being gay from my parents anymore. So much had been happening in my life on which they’d missed out on – way back from the time I was 15. I felt bad about this. I wanted to be able to be open with my parents as we are normally quite close. I remember several moments when I literally felt like I was bursting at the seams with this secret. Still, I had not yet freed myself of the guilt I felt over being gay, and this spilled out the first time I tried to come out to my mom. I was crying as I told her, and it seemed more like a guilty confession than a healthy coming out – and naturally she didn’t take it well. This ended up in me “taking back” what I just said. I eventually came out successfully to her on my second try, about a year later, when I had resolved some of my own issues over feeling guilty. I came out to a few friends while in junior college, and then to a lot of friends while in university. All of them took it well, and for that I am both immensely grateful to and proud of them. All my friends have in some way or other witnessed first hand my difficulties – in coming out to my parents, in trying to have a healthy relationship with my girlfriend while she was still very closeted, and so on. I believe that although most of my friends are straight, it does not hinder them from understanding me, and understanding very fundamental things such as love and acceptance. æ: Michael J Fox once said, "Film is forever." Did you feel any apprehension having your very personal experiences and thoughts on public record? What made you decide to do it? Swee Jean: Do I feel apprehension? Of course I do. But I choose not to let the fear control me. I decided to do the interview when Su-Lin, the producer, asked me if I would do it. At that point, faced with the decision, I said yes – because I knew I would not be able to live with myself if I had chosen not to do it, which is, in effect, to hide. Why should I hide if I believe that being gay is absolutely normal? It was a decision made out of self-respect, and it is integral to my self-esteem. æ: Tell us about a cause that you support? Swee Jean: I feel a lot for people with disabilities in Singapore. I guess I can relate to them, because I know how it feels to live in a society that doesn’t always see you as being normal. For my final year project, my teammates and I published a book on people with disabilities in Singapore. It’s called We Are Family: Stories of People with Disabilities. I believe our good old National Library Board has stocked copies of it. If you’d like to buy if, please call the Spastic Children’s Association of Singapore at     (65) 6585-5600 – proceeds from book sales go directly to them.æ: What's your vision for the gay/lesbian community in Singapore/Asia? Swee Jean: My vision would be for gays and lesbians to live confidently – to be unafraid of being relatively open and honest about their sexual orientation, to be brave enough to stake their claim as being happy, productive, GLBTQ citizens who contribute to society. WOMEN who LOVE WOMEN: Conversations in Singapore premieres on Saturday, Jul 7, at Pelangi Pride Centre, Bianco, 21 Tanjong Pagar Road, #04-01 at 4.30pm. There will be a Question & Answer session with the interviewees and filmmaker following the screening. As the screening on Jul 7 has reached maximum capacity, a second screening + Question & Answer session has been organised on July 21. Free entry. Please take note that this is a private event by registration only. To RSVP, email your name(s) to ngiamsulin@yahoo.com by July 18 to ensure a seat.  |
Fridae.com: New Zealand AIDS foundation’s new safe sex campaign targets asian gay men
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
New Zealand AIDS foundation’s new safe sex campaign targets asian gay men
“Be proud and strong - Renew your commitment to safe sex, no exceptions,” reads a campaign poster featuring five out and proud gay Asian men from Singapore, the Philipines, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Tahiti.
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The New Zealand AIDS Foundation’s Gay Men’s Health team is to launch its first resource aimed at raising HIV awareness among Asian gay and bisexual men on Friday May 11 in Auckland. The resource comprises a poster, featuring five out and proud gay Asian men - including Gay Men’s Health Promoter Valeriano (Val) Incapas - with the heading “Be proud and strong - Renew your commitment to safe sex, no exceptions.” http://www.fridae.com/newsfeatures/images/NZAFasianposter.pdf
“Gay men make up a significant part of the growing Asian migrant population, as many Asian countries are very vocal in condemning homosexuality,” Incapas says. “Gay men in Asian countries often are forced to move where they feel they can live and express themselves more freely, countries like New Zealand.” Asian gay men are also part of the wider community of men who have sex with men, who are the highest risk group for HIV infection in New Zealand. 70 new gay and bisexual diagnoses were recorded in 2006 - one every five days.
“Up until now, there has been a lack of visible role models for Asian gay and bisexual men to encourage open discussion about the importance of condom use in preventing HIV,” Incapas says. “Without the skills of handling themselves in a community with different social rules, and often coming to New Zealand with no condom culture, Asian gay men can be vulnerable to being taken advantage of.”
The poster features men from Singapore, the Philipines, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Tahiti. All the men are profiled on an accompanying flier, along with individual messages about why they value safe sex.
“This is about standing proud and taking a leadership role in our own communities to help turn the HIV epidemic around,” Incapas says. “But HIV isn’t confined to one particular group or ethnicity - as gay and bisexual men, we are all susceptible because of the risk of transmission via anal sex. We must all renew our commitment to using a condom every time.”
LAUNCH VENUE:
Shanghai Lil’s Bar and Lounge
133 Franklin Rd
7pm, Friday 11th May
Source: New Zealand Aids Foundation press release
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