Fridae

The Law Society of Singapore has released a statement disagreeing with the Ministry of Home Affairs' proposal to retain the country's laws against gay sex.

At 23, filmmaker Boo Junfeng is already being called the "next Royston Tan." His new gay short film Katong Fugue is based on Alfian Sa'at's play and has made it to the Singapore Film Fest finals. Viva gay cinema!

Should a recently circulated church statement, which called homosexuality "sinful, abhorrent and deviant" and for the criminalisation of lesbian sex, cause LGBTs to lose sleep? Fridae columnist and gay activist Alex Au weighs in on the issue.

As Singapore is looking at its first major review of its Penal Code in more than 20 years, the National Council of Churches has praised the government for its proposal to retain laws criminalising homosexual acts, and for the first time advocated the specific inclusion of lesbians in its scope.

The Workers' Party (WP) - thought to be a likely ally of the gay community - disappointed many this week by revealing that it is divided over this issue of gay sex and is unable to "move (the issue) forward as part of the party agenda."

Gay icon Madonna's The Confessions Tour: Live from London DVD, which features the singer performing the ballad Live To Tell while suspended from a giant mirrored cross, has been banned by Singapore censors. Fans who can't wait to get their hands on her latest DVD can order through the Fridae Shop.

Fridae.com emerges as the stickiest site in Singapore with session durations more than two times the market average, based on independent auditor Nielsen//Netratings; members lead in tertiary education, occupation and household income.

2006 saw a bumper crop of gay-themed movies screened in Singapore. In light of the recent ban of gay Singaporean photographer's book on Asian stars in the citystate among other incidences, Alex Au examines the censors' rationale of its decisions.

This week, Fridae speaks to Dr Russell Heng about this upcoming talk on Aug 16. Titled "Where Queens Ruled! A History of Gay Venues in Singapore," the talk is part of IndigNation, a collection of events to celebrate pride in Singapore.

Fridae speaks to Dr Tan Chong Kee, Singapore's best-known figure in civil society activism, about his upcoming talk on Aug 2 which challenges the notion that same-sex love is contrary to Asian values.