Directed by well known Singaporean director Boo Junfeng, Someday, the recently launched 2-minute, 30-thirty video depicts the challenges LGBT people in Singapore face: a gay teacher who is not out at work, a transgender woman who has to endure taunts, and a lesbian who finds herself faced with non-accepting parents. The scenarios are juxtaposed with scenes that show what the ideal situations would be when "someday, it won't matter to the world if I'm gay or straight", "nobody will stare or point fingers or call names" or "when our partners will be part of our families."
The press release reads: "Someday invites Singaporeans to envision a future in which Singapore’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community will be able to openly celebrate their diversity, free of discrimination and prejudice."
Boo said in the Director's Note on the Pink Dot website: "Last year’s campaign video carried broader, more universal themes that spoke to anyone in the world who supported the Freedom to Love. This year, we wanted to bring it back home and depict some of the realities faced by Singapore’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
"It is, admittedly, less of a celebration than last year’s video, specifically because it is meant to address some important and very real issues. As we celebrate the Freedom to Love every year at Pink Dot, it is important that we realise that many LGBT people continue to face prejudice and discrimination on a daily basis. There are elephants in the room (such as media censorship and Section 377A of the Penal Code) that we cannThe true inspiration of the Pink Dot campaign videos comes from the many LGBT Singaporeans and their loved-ones who, despite the challenges faced, continue to strive towards a more open-minded and inclusive Singapore.ot ignore. We hope people will ponder these issues leading up to Pink Dot 2012.
"The true inspiration of the Pink Dot campaign videos comes from the many LGBT Singaporeans and their loved-ones who, despite the challenges faced, continue to strive towards a more open-minded and inclusive Singapore."
This year's event will for the first time in its history be held at night with the formation of a pink dot of shimmering torches, light sticks and glowing mobile phones.
The inaugural event in 2009 attracted 2,500 people. Last year, over 10,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents turned up, consistently making Pink Dot the largest gathering to take place at Hong Lim Park since the inception of the Speakers’ Corner in 2000.
Venue: Hong Lim Park
Day/ date: Saturday, June 30, 2012
Time: Activities commence 5.30pm, Concert begins at 6.30pm, Dot is formed at 7.30pm, or when it is sufficiently dark
What to bring: Pink lights!
What to wear: Pink!
*Please note: According to the park’s terms and conditions, only Singaporeans and Permanent Residents may participate at the events held at Hong Lim Park. However, foreigners are most welcome to watch and observe.
Fridae is proud to be a Founding Supporter of Pink Dot since 2009.