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2005
IndigNation in the news source: The Straits Times and 'Today', 29 July 2005
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29 July 2005'Today' newspaper Gays press their case with
Indignation by Vinita Ramani Fridae.com's popular Nation parties may have been banned, but this hasn't deterred the gay and lesbian community in Singapore from asserting their place as citizens of the country. They will be marking Singapore's 40th anniversary with "IndigNation" - Singapore's first gay and lesbian Pride Month, which will run until Aug 26. "IndigNation is a gay community response to this ban, as well as to censorship of publications, such as Manazine, serving this community. "Gays and lesbians are indignant over what these say about their rights and their place in this nation," said playwright Russell Heng. Without defying any laws, the community will seek to make its point through the avenues available to it. The events planned over the course of the month include Martin Loh's painting exhibition at Utterly Art gallery, called Cerita Budak-Budak (Children's Stories). Mr Loh is an openly gay artist who is known for his male erotic and Peranakan imagery. There will also be a talk by Dr Tan Chong Kee on same-sex love in classical Chinese literature, while Dr Heng will share his insights on the areas in Singapore frequented by the gay community two decades ago. "Many of the events were already in the works, some were planned and then it all came together. "We realised there's not a single force or instigator behind it, which shows that there is a desire to respond to this (the ban) in the community," said Mr Alex Au, co-founder of gay rights group People Like Us. In recognition of Singapore's 40 years of independence, Mr Au will be heading a forum on "the national and the personal". The forum will provide a space to talk about nationhood and issues other than those just pertaining to gay and lesbian rights. "The issues might be completely unrelated to being gay or the community. But I have as much of a right to talk about this country's history as anyone else," added Mr Au. People Like Us member, Mr Charles Tan, added "This is a form of community action. It is really at the grassroots level, which is what we want to emphasise." The Pride Month will wrap up with a party on Aug 26, hosted by Adventurers Like Us (Adlus), a Singapore Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered outdoor and sports group. "The Adlus bash is definitely not on the scale of the Nation party and it is not a public event. "It is for our own members, to celebrate our sixth anniversary. We're not even expecting that many people!" said Adlus member Nicholas Lum.
29 July 2005 No party, so gays plan to hold seven events by Arlina Arshad Gays and lesbians in Singapore are planning a month-long programme of events in response to the banning of the annual Nation gay party, which is usually held every August. Under the banner IndigNation, the planned programme comprises seven events by gay activist groups and individuals. It kicked off yesterday with a four-day exhibition of children's book illustrations by artist Martin Loh. Other events include a talk on classical Chinese literature, a poetry recital and a forum. The programme will end on Aug 26. There is no official committee organising the festival, said Mr Alex Au of activist group People Like Us, adding 'It's very grassroots. Different people are organising different events.' The organisers are People Like Us, bible study group Safehaven, sports group Adlus and individuals including Dr Tan Chong Kee, activist and academic Russell Heng, artist Martin Loh and poet Dominic Chua. IndigNation was organised after the Nation party, billed as Asia's largest gay celebration and held here annually since 2001, was banned. Police here declared it 'contrary to public interest' and denied organiser Fridae.com, an online gay network, a public entertainment licence. The event will now be held in Phuket in November. 'The gay community is indignant and extremely unhappy. All the talk about society opening up is just empty words,' said Mr Au. He stressed that the campaign was not a retaliation. Fridae.com chief executive Stuart Koe also insisted that the online portal 'did not organise nor call for' the festival. Commenting on the events, Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC Sin Boon Ann said the groups and individuals are free to speak as long as they are 'mindful that our nation has certain constraints, boundaries'. He added 'There is freedom of speech here as long as speakers don't incite violence and are sensitive to the views of others.' When contacted, the police said none of the event organisers has applied for a public entertainment licence with the police or the Media Development Authority. A police spokesman said 'Public entertainment activities, unless otherwise exempted, require a permit. 'The licensing authorities will have to assess activities on a case-by-case basis before deciding if an event can be approved.'
Dr Heng, who plans to speak at one of the events, said he had not
applied for a licence because Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had said in
his National Day Rally speech last year that licences would not be
needed for talks that are held indoors and do not cover subjects of race
or religion.
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