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1 JULY 2014

YAHOO! NEWS SINGAPORE

The turnout at Faith Community Baptist Church’s Sunday service. (Photo courtesy of Faith Community Baptist Church)

Over 6,400 Christians dressed in white on Sunday afternoon to attend a special “family worship” service conducted by Singapore’s Faith Community Baptist Church (FCBC), according to organisers.

The service was held at a full-house Suntec Convention Centre and led by FCBC founder and pastor Lawrence Khong, who earlier called on his followers to wear white over the weekend to protest the annual Pink Dot gay rights rally on Saturday.

Khong, who supports keeping a Singapore law that criminalises sex between men, released a statement on Friday pointing to the Pink Dot movement as a “decline of moral and family values”.
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“Pink Dot is right to protest for greater freedom and equality. I respect their push for greater inclusion,” said FCBC member Teo Yee Nam ahead of the Sunday service. “But I feel they have to be mindful of society’s stance on the traditional grounds of marriage.”

Other FCBC members Yahoo Singapore spoke to concurred, saying they were wearing white not to explicitly oppose Pink Dot, but to support their pastor Khong and the idea of a traditional family unit involving one man, one woman and children.

“We’re just coming together to worship God, and wearing white to have the spirit of supporting family,” said Maisy, a 39-year-old homemaker. “Pink Dot have their own position. We don’t have anything against them… after all, we’re all Singaporeans.”

The campaign to wear white was originally started more than a week ago by Singaporean Muslim teacher Ustaz Noor Deros, who asked Muslims to avoid Pink Dot and instead don white garments for Ramadan eve prayers on Saturday night.

Not all Muslims seemed to be aware of the initiative when Yahoo visited the prominent Masjid Sultan at Kampong Glam, but others elsewhere posted photos of themselves wearing white on social media under the hashtag “#wearwhite”.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/thousands-of-singaporean-christians-wear-white-to-protest-pink-dot-gay-rally-143235694.html

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Video: PINK DOT 2014: Watch this space!

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28 JUNE 2014 is pinkdot2014

Pink Dot 2014, Singapore’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) event, will be held on 28 June at Hong Lim Park, and the organising committee has promised new Ambassadors, a community-focused campaign video, and a more interactive and reflective atmosphere.

The event will, of course, end with the formation of the giant human pink dot. Participants are invited to bring along their pink torches and lights for the finale.

http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2014/05/pink-dot-2014-for-family-for-friends-for-love/

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28 June 2014

Amid opposition from some religious conservatives, thousands of people turned up at Hong Lim Park on Saturday for the annual Pink Dot event supporting Singapore’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Organisers estimated that 26,000 people were at the park during the height of the event at 8pm, surpassing the record 21,000 set last year and despite what they called “overwhelming” negativity towards the gathering, which celebrates the “freedom to love”.
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For the first time since the event began in 2009, organizers engaged security personnel for crowd control and to prepare for any unruly behaviour.

Organizers also introduced a “community voices” segment in the rally to feature six speakers: “sticker lady” Samantha Lo, human rights lawyer M Ravi, prominent blogger Benjamin Lee, university student Melissa Tsang, a transgender woman, Fanny Ler, and husband, Zack Ling.

In his speech, Ravi said that in challenging Section 377A “we are fighting for fundamental equal rights”.

Lo, meanwhile, talked about her experiences dealing with discrimination in Singapore society. “I worked twice as hard to prove that a lesbian female can contribute to society,” she said.

In a press briefing before the start of the event at 5pm, Pink Dot spokesperson Paerin Choa said that the extent of discrimination against the LGBT community has been “unprecedented” this year.

“We saw that the online comments made towards us were very brazen this year and that the extend of the negativity was quite overwhelming,” said Choa, reiterating that the team wants to “cure the stereotype” on “gay people”. On the flipside, Choa also noted that the wear white campaign had helped to gain more awareness on Pink Dot.
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The Pink Dot gathering has been growing rapidly over the years, drawing a record 21,000 people last year from 2,500 in its inaugural year.

With reporting by Nurul Azliah.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-s-pink-dot-gay-rights-rally-draws-thousands-of-people-amid–unprecedented–discrimination-112620712.html

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PINK DOT ORGANISERS HIRE SECURITY GUARDS AMIDST GROWING TENSION FROM ANTI-GAY GROUPS

The Organisers of the Pink Dot event at Hong Lim Park this Saturday have hired security guards to help keep things in order during the event as there is growing concern of the strong opposition against the event from Pro-family groups.

Organisers explained that the measures were just to ensure there was extra help with crowd control and to manage any unruly behaviour.

“If (those who oppose the event) do come down, we will welcome them with open arms. We’re aware that they might come down and have a crisis management plan in place … We’ve also engaged security personnel, but more because of potential crowd issues.” explained Pink Dot spokesman Paerin Choa.

There has been growing tension between the Pink Dot event and other religious, pro-family groups including the Muslim community behind the “Wear White” campaign on the same day.

Other religious leaders including Pastor Khong of Faith Community Baptist Church have thrown their support behind the Wear White campaign and the National Council of Churches Singapore also released a statement saying that homosexuality is contrary to the teaching of the bible.

However, the NCCS and other official bodies including MUIS, have called on their followers to be non confrontational and act with grace around this controversial issue.

Pro-family groups here have attacked the annual event, which is now in its 6th year, as being an assault on the values of society.

http://therealsingapore.com/content/pink-dot-organisers-hire-security-guards-amidst-growing-tension-anti-gay-groups

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TODAY

Pink Dot rally organisers open to ‘constructive discussion’

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Pink Dot organising committee said they were saddened that “certain quarters have reacted negatively to our efforts at creating a more loving and embracing society”.

“We call on all parties to exercise restraint and engage each other in dialogue…Pink Dot also welcomes the opportunity to meet with any and all parties who wish to engage with us in thoughtful and constructive discussion,” the spokesperson said.

Islamic religious teacher Noor Deros had launched the Wear White movement, urging Muslims to wear white this Saturday — the same day as the Pink Dot rally — as a sign of protest against homosexuality, to mark the start of Ramadan. This was followed by statements from various faith groups expressing their stand on the LGBT issue, including the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and the Catholic Church. Faith Community Baptist Church (FCBC) senior pastor Lawrence Khong, who has been outspoken on the subject of homosexuality, had declared his support for the Wear White movement, and urged like-minded groups to come together to register their opposition to Pink Dot “before it is too late”.

The Pink Dot spokesperson said: “It was never Pink Dot’s intention to create rifts within society. Our stance has always been about supporting the freedom to love, encouraging and promoting values of inclusivity and diversity.”

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/pink-dot-organisers-call-restraint-dialogue-lgbt-issues?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

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June 24, 2014

HUFF POST

SINGAPORE, June 23 (Reuters) – Some Christians have joined Muslims in Singapore urging followers to wear white this weekend in protest at the sixth annual “Pink Dot” gay rights rally, which attracted a record 21,000 people last year.

Singapore is seeing growing anger over issues ranging from immigration and rising living costs to gay rights – all in a country where dissent is actively discouraged and political gatherings require a permit regardless of how many people are involved.

Last year’s Pink Dot rally was held just months after the High Court rejected a petition to repeal a law which criminalizes sex between men.
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Singapore government ministers have called for restraint amid growing support for the WearWhite movement, though human rights activists say there should be clearer condemnation of discrimination.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/23/singapore-pink-dot-protest-_n_5520852.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000054

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Coconuts Singapore ‏@CoconutsSG Jun 23

MUIS urges Singapore mosques not to get involved in Pink Dot-Wear White crossfire. http://ow.ly/yknRl 

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…pic.twitter.com/ssLU43in5V

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Accepting differences.

We live in a country where every one deserves right and equality.

We live in Singapore, a country with various colours, beliefs, lifestyles and political ideologies.

If we can live peacefully with these and accept all our differences, why cant we accept different sexes?

Living with the LGBTs.

We live with Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, Pilipinas, PRCs, FTs, etc.

We live with the Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Atheist and Jew community.

We live with citizens who supports PAP, DPA, WP, SPP and SDP’s ruling.

So why can’t we live with the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders?
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Ignorance + Stereotype.

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Final note.

This is not another pro or anti LGBTs post.

I wrote some suggestions. I listed down the whys and whats. I put down the facts and I tried to make a difference.

From yours truly,

Diman Japar

TRS contributor

Click on the link for the full letter:

http://therealsingapore.com/content/being-muslim-and-gay

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PASTOR LAWRENCE KHONG SUPPORTS MUSLIM’S #WEARWHITE MOVEMENT

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Post date:

19 Jun 2014 – 7:51pm

Dear The Real Singapore,

I refer to the article: “ALFIAN SA`AT: MY ANALYSIS OF THE ‘WEAR WHITE’ CAMPAIGN AGAINST PINK DOT 2014“

Muslims in Singapore are making history because they are unite together to #wearwhite to fight against the LGBT agenda, especially as they lack respect for Islam by holding Pink Dot on the first night of our holy month of Ramadan. Since they are holding Pink Dot on the first Ramadan night where devouts Muslims are doing their terawih prayers, it is a provocation by the LGBTs that shows their disdain and disrespect for Islam. It is clear that #wearwhite is not a political campaign, but the result of Muslim resentment and anger at the provocative and disrespectful tactics by the LGBTs to threaten the sanctity of the natural family and trample on Islamic teachings.
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But there are so-called “Muslims” like Alfian Sa’at who are attacking the #wearwhite movement. (See this post by him, for example, where he falsely accuses #wearwhite of being incendiary. People like him have so little Islamic knowledge but they try to spread confusion and discord to disunite among the Malay-Muslim community. His actions are a betrayal of Malay and Muslim values, which he should uphold as a Malay-Muslim. 

These militant LGBT activists must know that #wearwhite is a strong movement that enjoys the support of the entire Malay-Muslim community. Important organisations like PERGAS, FMSA and Muhammadiyah have condemned the LGBTs and their Pink Dot activities. There is strong support for the #wearwhite movement. 

The supporters of the anal-sex-lovers should be charged for spreading False Doctrine under the Administration of Muslim Law Act. Section 139 of AMLA states that “Whoever shall teach or publicly expound any doctrine or perform any ceremony or act relating to the Muslim religion in any manner contrary to the Muslim law shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.”

Those people encouraging Muslims to attack the #wearwhite movement and to support Pink Dot are clearly teaching a false doctrine that is contrary to Muslim law. They should thus be punished with the maximum fine of $2000 and a prison term of 12 months to send a clear message to fellow Muslims that they must respect Islam and not attack our pro-natural family message.

Good upright Muslims must take heed and join the #wearwhite movement, as it is sunnah to wear white as well. Our ustaz and his friends have done so much good work to start this #wearwhite campaign and Muslims all over Singapore should follow his moral guidance. If they refuse, the stubborn “Muslims” should be warned that they can be charged under the law for spreading false doctrine of Islam.

Hazrul Hamzah 

TRS Contributor

http://therealsingapore.com/content/defending-wearwhite-movement-against-so-called-liberal-muslims

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Post date:

19 Jun 2014 – 11:27am

<above pic: Mr Alfian Sa`at, a popular local playwright>

There’s a ‘wear white’ campaign which is supposed to be a protest against Pink Dot on 28 June. It is a call for Muslims to wear white for the evening prayers on the first day of Ramadan. (If some clueless people turn up wearing pink then how? But that’s the downside of having a diffuse campaign which hitches a ride on something people do in Ramadan anyway–not everyone will get the memo). There’s nothing wrong with expressing one’s beliefs and opinions in this way, but I’m concerned with the way these are articulated on their website:

1) “There are groups that are trying to destroy the sanctity of the family. The natural state of human relationships is now under sustained attack by lgbt activists. For the lgbt movement, the natural family is no longer sacred.”

This statement doesn’t actually define what is a ‘natural family’. One assumes then that it is one consisting of a man and a woman and preferably an offspring. But surely the definition of ‘family’ isn’t so clear cut–there are single-parent families, as well as couples who don’t have children…The divorce rates among Muslims is the highest among all the communities in Singapore, and while the number one cause for divorce in non-Muslim marriages is ‘unreasonable behaviour’, for Muslim marriages it is ‘infidelity or extra-marital affairs’ (Singstat 2012). If one needs to address the threats to the ‘sanctity of the family’, then one should cite the real ones. That gay couple who got attached isn’t threatening your marriage; you sleeping around will.

2) “To underline their disdain for Islam and the family, lgbt activists are organising an event on the very evening of 1st Ramadan. They expect this event to be the biggest ever in their history.”

This is rather incendiary, because it accuses the Pink Dot organisers of intentionally holding the event during Ramadan, and that this reveals ‘disdain for Islam’. Pink Dot 2012 was on 30 June, 2013 on 29 June, so this seems to be a consistent tradition. Since the Muslim calendar is a lunar one, the event dates will vary on the Georgian calendar–Ramadan in 2013 was in July. Also, the 1st day of Ramadan could have fallen either on the 28 or 29 June, depending on the lunar sighting. To suggest that pernicious motives were at play when there is in all likelihood a coincidental overlap is to act in bad faith.

3) “The question for us is whether we will lie down while the sanctity of the family is being trampled upon?”

Incendiary language again. Strictly speaking, the only thing that will be trampled during Pink Dot is the poor grass at Hong Lim Park. Tempted to say homophobia trampled, but my ‘strictly speaking’ bars figurative speech.

Alfian Sa`at

*The author is a Singaporean writer, poet and playwright.

http://therealsingapore.com/content/alfian-saat-my-analysis-wear-white-campaign-against-pink-dot-2014

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LOCAL MUSLIM GROUP ORGANIZE A ‘WEAR WHITE’ EVENT TO COUNTER PINK DOT 2014

Ramadan is a month of introspection. It is a month of guidance. It connects us with our Rabb.

In living our lives according to Allah’s commands and guidance, we reconnect with our family and community. Let the coming of Ramadan remind us of the importance of the family.Let it remind us to return to the natural state of life. Let it remind us to Return to fitrah.

There are groups that are trying to destroy the sanctity of the family. The natural state of human relationships is now under sustained attack by lgbt activists. For the lgbt movement, the natural family is no longer sacred.

To underline their disdain for Islam and the family, lgbt activists are organising an event on the very evening of 1st Ramadan. They expect this event to be the biggest ever in their history.

The question for us is whether we will lie down while the sanctity of the family is being trampled upon?

Will we keep quiet as the values and morality of our children are being changed?
Will we look away as all that is good and decent is stripped from our community?

It is time for Muslims to make a stand. Stand up and defend the sanctity of the family.

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BBC

14 June 2014 Last updated at 20:11

Singapore dilemma: When diversity policy meets local law

By Tessa Wong BBC News, Singapore

In May, a dozen university students showed up for dinner at Goldman Sachs’ office in Singapore’s business district.

But it was no run-of-the-mill event. Hosted by the company’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) employee network, and billed as a “LGBT recruiting and networking dinner“, it triggered controversy in this largely conservative nation-state.

Local newspaper MyPaper ran a piece ahead of the dinner entitled: “Wanted by Goldman Sachs: LGBT employees“. News of the event caused enough handwringing that Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing publicly expressed concern.

While discrimination had “no place in our society”, foreign companies should “respect local culture and context” and “not venture into public advocacy for causes that sow discord among Singaporeans”, he said.
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Gay sex is banned in Singapore, but companies including Google, Barclays, J P Morgan, Goldman Sachs and BP are on board as corporate supporters for what has become the city-state’s biggest annual gathering organised by civil society.

None of the companies have indicated they will pull out, despite Mr Chan’s warning.

Asked why it went ahead with its dinner, a Goldman Sachs spokesman told the BBC it regularly holds recruitment events and “our goal is to hire the best people we can find and to build diverse teams”.

Asked about their stance, JP Morgan said it “believes in the importance of diversity in the workplace”, while Barclays said that it is committed to “a culture of meritocracy, where people are judged on professional performance rather than their personal lives”.

Google, meanwhile, said “a diversity of perspectives, experiences and cultures” among its workers would lead to “the type of products and innovation that everyone can benefit from”.

‘Good sense’

The issue of gay rights has become increasingly fraught in Singapore. The authorities have pledged not to actively enforce the law that bans gay sex, but public promotion of homosexuality in the media is frowned upon.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27584565

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http://pinkdot.sg/about-pink-dot/

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