The 3rd International Lesbian and Gay Association-Asia Regional Conference was held in Chiangmai, Thailand from 24th to 27th January 2008. Being a member of ILGA, a few of us from Sayoni Singapore travelled to participate and vote in the event.
At first, we were caught off guard by the sheer diversity of people who attended. The conference brought together about 160 delegates from a whole range of Asian countries, to name a few, China, HongKong, Macau, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Mongolia, Burma, Philippines, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kyrgystan, Armenia, etc etc.
The difficulty of initial communication and fruitful networking aside, seminar sessions were many and diverse in their content and quality. Of particular importance was the launching of the Yogyakarta Principles by Prof. Vitit Muntarbhorn.
Prof. Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand) is UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and professor of Law at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. He co-chaired the experts’ meeting which drafted The Yogyakarta Principles, a set of principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Principles affirm binding international legal standards with which all States must comply.
http://www.yogyakartaprinciples.org/
Sayoni was able to help out by facilitating the women’s caucus on the first day and learned a lot from the women sharing about their views on various issues pertaining to the personal, community and the world at large. Subsequent days were followed by sessions on transgender issues, laws, rights, HIV, country focus issues, women issues, etc.
A gay pride parade was also held on the third day (Saturday) of the conference that marched from the Puttastan Buddhist Centre to the Night Bazaar / Pantip Plaza. The first in Chiangmai, it was greeted with curiosity from the locals, delight by tourists and participation by some who wanted to show their support.
Sayoni would like to thank Myo, Mira, Chiang Mai based LGBT groups, The Committee on Lesbigay Rights in Burma (CLRB) and M-Plus for organizing the conference on the ground.
Event: Tall Tales and Short Stories
Date: 5th August 2007 (Sunday)
Time: 7:30 - 9:30pm
Venue: 72-13
How do women who don’t pair up primarily to procreate view the expiry of their youth and ovaries? Ovidia’s short story takes a light-hearted look at how one woman who’s no longer entitled to free drink vouchers on Ladies’ Nights survives the stereotypes of middle age straying lovers and a (sterilised) ex-stray cat.
Yisheng’s offering, on the other hand, a deliberately absurd story about Vladimir Koh Nah Bay, a young man who is sexually attracted to only male senior citizens. Vladimir describes his youthful discovery of his urges, his rapid rise through the world of commerce due to his affairs, and his scandalous liaisons with unnamed political figures. The entire tale is told in the form of an official letter which forbids the reading of the story on the grounds of its disturbing effectiveness in converting people to be attracted to old men.
Licence from MDA pending.
Ng Yi-Sheng
Ng Yi-Sheng is a poet, playwright and writer. His first book of poetry, “Last Boy”, was published in 2006. His poems have also been published in the poetry anthologies “First Words”, “onewinged”, “No Other City” and “Love Gathers All”, as well as the journals “the2ndRule”, “QRLS”, “Softblow”, “Quarto”, “Asian Journal” and “Queer”. He won the SPH-Theatreworks 24-hour Playwriting Competition two years in a row, in 1998 and 1999, and has been published in the play anthology “5 under 25″. His performed plays include “Serve”, “Snake”, “Redhill Blues”, “Hungry”, “251″ and “Georgette: The Musical”. In 2006, he published a collection of gay, lesbian and bisexual Singaporeans’ coming out stories, “SQ21: Singapore Queers in the 21st Century”.
Ovidia Yu
Ovidia Yu is an award-winning female novelist, short-story writer and playwright. She is the recipient of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) Singapore Foundation Culture Award (1996), the National Arts Council (NAC) Young Artist Award (1996) and the Singapore Youth Award (1997). Her plays have been peformed locally and abroad.
tags: gay, glbt, indignation 2007, lesbian, ng yisheng, ovidia yu, queer, singapore, story reading, lgbt
Event : Your relationships and you
Date: 12th August 2007 (Sunday)
Time: 3 - 6:30pm
Venue: 72-13
OCWomen and Sayoni are pleased to bring you a groundbreaking workshop which focusses on our selves in relationships.
The workshop takes you through a light-hearted process of reflection on your past/present relationships with the aim of providing you with greater clarity and self awareness.
Understanding the types of relationships we have lived through and the dynamics in the partnerships we make, gives clarity to what we are like when we are in a relationship. Understanding ourselves in our relationships is key to truly living a relationship.
Clarity and honesty within is crucial when inspecting our numerous motivations and our modes of operation. Only then will we begin to know who we truly are and build the relationship that resonates us. There will also be interactive discussions on the types of relationships, the roles that we play in them and signs of negative relationships.
Finally the long awaited launch of SAFE (Supporting, Affirming and Empowering our LGBTQ friends and family) on 9th December 2006, at PPC’s Community Fair in Mox Bar. We went, we celebrated the new birth of courage and hope, this time round for those dear to our hearts. Our friends and family.
With SAFE’s mission to
form a network of support, affirmation and empowerment for families and friends of LGBTQ persons by providing information and resources and encouraging dialogue that promotes respect for human diversity and the well-being of all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning persons,
this will be another important milestone in our community.
Do check out their website and pass the message around.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is proposing to repeal Section 377 of the Penal Code which criminalises “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” while retaining Section 377A which criminalises “gross indecency” between two males.
People Like Us welcomes the repeal of s.377, but calls for the repeal of s.377A at the same time. Section 377A makes “gross indecency” between 2 males an offence whether in public or in private. Besides being discriminatory, it is also an invasion of privacy.
While the Ministry of Home Affairs, in its statement of 7 November 2006, said with respect to s.377A that “Our enforcement approach also remains the same i.e. we will not be proactive in enforcing the section against adult males engaging in consensual sex with each other in private,” such assurance does not have the weight of law; it is therefore unsatisfactory and legally, cannot be relied upon.
We recognise that non-use has been a policy for some time now. Indeed, People Like Us knows of no prosecution involving adult consensual situations in recent years, but non-use argues for its repeal, not its retention, since it plainly demonstrates that Singapore society does not need to go around prosecuting gay men.
The retention of s.377A, even if not enforced, will signal to many that homophobia is justifiable and acceptable and has the support of the State. Such a State-endorsed climate of prejudice and discrimination is to the detriment of Singapore:
1. It damages family and public life by encouraging deception and dishonesty (pretending to be straight) when people try to avoid discrimination and social or family conflict;
2. It creates pressure to emigrate, thus
(a) undermining Singapore’s desire to retain our native talent pool. Somewhere around 10 percent of each generation is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered and to bleed populationeach generation through such discriminatory policies is unwise and near-sighted;
(b) splitting families when we say at the same time that stable and supportive families should be the bedrock of our society;
3. It undercuts Singapore’s attraction for potential incoming talent, so critical for our future;
4. It restricts the ability of the government to respond to the threat of HIV, when government agencies feel that they cannot engage with the gay community in any way except a condemnatory one. Failure to deal with HIV in the gay community puts the larger community at risk.
If the government aims for an open, inclusive society, it should be doing all it can to overturn prejudice and discrimination, rather than give people reason to remain closed-minded through retaining s.377A for symbolic purposes.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told a roomful of foreign and local correspondents on 6 October 2005 that his government was not homophobic. “I don’t think we are homophobic,” he said. Deliberately retaining Section 377A proves him wrong.
In addition, People Like Us is of the view that s.377A is unconstitutional, violating Article 12(1) of the Singapore Constitution that guarantees equality.
People Like Us calls on the government to repeal both s.377 and s.377A of the Penal Code forthwith.
I stood there today in the drizzle, staring over the rolling fields just beyond the entrance of the cemetery. I tried to imagine you sitting there and giving me that silly grin like you always do.
“I know, Jean. I knew long ago and it is the same for me.” She said to me. I looked blankly at her, too stunned to react. What is it that she knows? A love that has no name to it, I thought to myself: how could it be? Surely it was an abomination, a direct ticket to hell. I was ashamed that she knew, I couldn’t face myself or say anything more and she left it as that, unsure and nervous over my silence.
We spent the subsequent months being the ‘best’ friends that we were to the rest of the world. We were inseparable, much to the amusement of her boyfriend, who would say in jest that he was dating two girls instead of one. To which I suffered silently in my adolescent guilt, together with the isolation and loneliness I felt for being gay.
S was a quiet girl in class. I often found her sitting alone, watching the rest of us monkey around and chatting up a storm. Maybe it was instinct or just plain curiosity; I soon made my way toward her to see if I could get her to join the rest of us. It was not long before we became good friends. I found myself searching for her between breaks and she, for me. There was an unmistakable connection that we had, as if we could read each other’s mind.
We spent many hours after school at the park nearby, sitting on a small hill, looking at the fluffy white clouds, trying to out-imagine each other over the many challenging shapes and sizes. It was a silly game we played, so that we could hang out with each other a little longer. Sometimes she would brush her hand on mine and turn around to look at me expectantly. In spite of my desires, I would pull away every single time.
We graduated soon after and went on with our busy lives, preparing for the next stage of tertiary education, but she was always with me in my thoughts. One day, S called and delivered the grim news of cancer. I tried to tell her how I feel, but the words never came. I was too scared and unsure.
A week later, I received a phonecall from her mother and was told that S wanted to see me one last time. I raced all the way to her place and was greeted by the sound of tears. I was too late…
Today, I stood at the entrance of the cemetery, wishing and hoping that you were sitting there grinning at me. This time, I sat down next to you under the protective shadow of a large tree, the leaves shuddering in all that drizzle and wind. I was a teenager again and we were alone together again. “S, I do love you. I’ve always love you.” I whispered to the wind, hating myself, hoping S would hear it and forgive me.
For a long moment, I stared blankly at the emptiness of the place, my heart heavy with regret. I saw her with my inner eye again, this time with her arms extended; I couldn’t help but grin back through my tears. Under the looming clouds, I hugged her one last time, not wanting to let go, but I knew I must and made my way down that winding path alone.
Imagine..A tantalizing barbecue spread at sunset by the poolside of the Hilton surrounded by some of hottest babes around Asia. How does that sound to you? Make that an entire weekend of activities by the women, only for the women.
Two Queens has it all planned for you at the NATION VI party for women – W @ Nation. The weekend promises to be one filled with festivities and fun where women can party alongside one another, forge new friendships (and something more) or to just chill out in the company of friends.
Besides exclusive female only programs such as an opening girl’s party and cabaret show, the W Party packages also includes entries to Fridae’s signature party Nation and closing party Hot Couture featuring the ever charismatic DJ Kate Monroe where we all join together and dance the night away as one big Fridae nation.
Package Info: Two Queens Party Queen Package: $250.00 or
Two Queens Absolute Queen Package (with accomdation) :
5D 4N Package (20th to 24th Oct)
Special Early Bird Price - till 8th Sept at $432.00
All Two Queens & Fridae members at $448.00
Standard Price : $480.00 (non-members)
Absolute Queen 4D 3N Packages (20th to 23rd Oct)
Special Early Bird Price - till 8th Sept at $387.00
All Two Queens & Fridae members at $408.00
Standard Price : $430 (non-members)
These packages are EXCLUSIVELY for the women and separate from the normal packages for the boys.
Prices have been packaged for a separate hotel, 2 x nation parties, 1 x exclusive girls party, BBQ Poolside dinner/ International Cabaret dinner & a whole load of other girly activites that runs exclusively for the girls only.
Full details on website.
Travelling Dates:
You can opt to travel from the 19th /20th to 22nd/23rd/24th Oct, depending on your own schedule. 24th oct, btw is a Hari Raya Puasa holiday in Singapore.
How to get there?
Jetstar is offering a special 2-way trip ticket at $251 (inclusive of taxes) This special rate can only be booked online if you book through the Fridae nation site. (not accesible through the jetstar asia website directly)
You can also try accessing www.tigerairways.com .The rates to fly to Phuket on the 18th or 19th Oct still cheap at the moment. At the same time, Tiger flys back to Singapore on the 23rd of Oct as well.
Who’s Going?
We have also tied up with girl groups from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, & Thailand, so we are expecting this to be a regional event.
Special Promo:
The Early Bird packages have been extended till 8th September as the websites were launched later than expected.
We will be holding two promotions with Club95:
Club95 celebrates w@nation. Swing down on the 31st Aug or 9th September 8pm, and pay $95 off the package price (standard price) if you book on the spot*! Two Queens crew will be on hand to answer your queries about w@nation.
For More Details...
The w@nation packages are offically launched on both www.fridae.com/nation & www.twoqueensparty.com !
To link up to the w@nation on fridae, please click on the little woman figure on the right hand side of the screen. It will zip you onto a different page.
For more enquires, do give me shout at [email protected] or at 6224-3188.
Double-bill charity premiere for AWARE and Cat Welfare Society
Fridae is proud to announce a double-bill charity premiere of Imagine
Me & You and My Summer of Love in benefit of the Association of Women
for Action and Research and Cat Welfare Society on Sep 12 and Oct 16
in Singapore.
More about the movies, AWARE and CWS below.
Double-bill Charity Premiere presented by Fridae
Imagine Me and You Singapore Premiere
Date: 12 September 2006 (Tuesday)
Time: 9.15 pm
Venue: Shaw Lido 3
Price: USD$20 (approx. S$30)
Book online
\n
\n
Tickets are also available at the W@Nation Launch party at Club 95 (95
Club St) on \nSaturday, Sept 9 from 8pm till late. For information and
ticket reservations, \ncall Rodin or Tiffany at 62762132 from 10am-7pm.
If you are unable to attend \nthe premieres but wish to make cash
donations to AWARE and the CWS, you may \ndo so through the Fridae Shop.
Described by the BBC as a "romantic, hilarious and sometimes \npoignant
journey familiar to anyone who has ever fallen in love at \nfirst
sight," Imagine Me and You is written and directed by Ol Parker. \nThe
witty British romantic comedy stars Piper Perabo (who played a \ngay
teen in Lost and Delirious) as newlywed Rachel who finds her true \nlove
on her wedding day but, alas, it\’s not with her handsome, \nsweet,
kindly, husband-to-be! Whether or not she believes in love at \nsight,
Rachel has to choose between her husband and Luce (played by \nLena
Headey, The Brothers Grimm), the newlyweds\’ florist whom Rachel \nmeets
for the first time on her wedding day at the church.
\n
\n
Based on a novel by Helen Cross, My Summer of Love tells the story \nof
two 16-year-old girls\’ brief but blazing relationship in the \nEnglish”,1] ); //-> My Summer of Love Singapore Premiere
Date: 16 October 2006 (Monday)
Time: 9 pm
Venue: to be announced soon
Price: USD$20 (approx. S$30)
Book online
Tickets are also available at the W@Nation Launch party at Club 95 (95
Club St) on Saturday, Sept 9 from 8pm till late. For information and
ticket reservations, call Rodin or Tiffany at 62762132 from 10am-7pm.
If you are unable to attend the premieres but wish to make cash
donations to AWARE and the CWS, you may do so through the Fridae Shop.
Described by the BBC as a “romantic, hilarious and sometimes poignant
journey familiar to anyone who has ever fallen in love at first
sight,” Imagine Me and You is written and directed by Ol Parker. The
witty British romantic comedy stars Piper Perabo (who played a gay
teen in Lost and Delirious) as newlywed Rachel who finds her true love
on her wedding day but, alas, it’s not with her handsome, sweet,
kindly, husband-to-be! Whether or not she believes in love at sight,
Rachel has to choose between her husband and Luce (played by Lena
Headey, The Brothers Grimm), the newlyweds’ florist whom Rachel meets
for the first time on her wedding day at the church.
Based on a novel by Helen Cross, My Summer of Love tells the story of
two 16-year-old girls’ brief but blazing relationship in the English
countryside. “If you leave me, I’ll kill you,” the pair swears to each
other. It won the Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film at the
British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards 2005. Natalie
Press, was named British Newcomer of the Year at the 2004 London Film
Critics Awards for her role as Mona, a working-class lass living with
her ex-con brother (Paddy Considine) above a dreary pub that they
inherited from their parents. She meets Tamsin (Emily Blunt who is
recently seen in The Devil Wears Prada), a sultry beauty who was
suspended from boarding-school for being a “bad influence.” The Los
Angeles Times called it “a most provocative love story, about two
people who will never forget each other, but not for anything like the
reasons they initially imagine.”
The double-bill Charity Premiere will benefit of the Association of
Women for Action and Research (AWARE) and Cat Welfare Society (CWS).
Fifty percent of proceeds will go to AWARE for its support, research
and educational programmes and the rest to Cat Welfare Society.
AWARE is a voluntary organisation that has been promoting equal rights
for women in Singapore since 1985 and works to empower women through
positive social change.
Corinna Lim Honorary Secretary of Aware said, “AWARE is delighted to
work with Fridae in the screening of the premiere of Imagine You and
Me, a bittersweet romantic comedy which, while it entertains, raises
questions about the meaning of marriage, gender, and love in its
different forms. AWARE supports each individual’s right to be the best
that she or he can be, regardless of race, sex, religion and
sexuality.”
The organisation also runs a Helpline at 1800 774 5935 between 3pm to
10pm on all working days as well as other services such as a Legal
Clinic, Counselling and a Befrienders service. AWARE reaches out to
about three thousand women every year through all the different
services.
The Cat Welfare Society is a non-profit organisation, run entirely by
volunteers to improve the welfare of stray cats in Singapore. It was
started in July 1999 by a group of friends in response to a publicised
incident where five kittens were reported to have been burned alive in
a box.
Dawn Kua, CWS’ director of operations said: “We thank Fridae for
hosting this charity premiere for Cat Welfare Society and AWARE. It’s
a fantastic effort by Fridae to integrate our community together in
our bid for a gracious Singapore.”
Today, the group aims to encourage people to help out with a
Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage (TNRM) programme, whereby cats are
sterilised and put back into the communities they come from where they
are managed by residents who live there. This ensures that the cat
population is managed and does not continue to grow, and is also a
means by which residents help other residents in their estate by
dealing with any cat related complaints they might have. Proceeds will
fund sterilisation, educational material about the TNRM programme and
adoption programmes.
In related news, at least 20 felines have been found brutally
slaughtered and some with their throats slit in bushes and drains in
the past two weeks. The CWS and the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals have set up a joint reward of S$2,000 (US$1,277)
for anyone who can help arrest the culprit.
Double-bill Charity Premiere presented by Fridae
Imagine Me and You Singapore Premiere
Date: 12 September 2006 (Tuesday)
Time: 9.15 pm
Venue: Shaw Lido 3
Price: USD$20 (approx. S$30)
Book online
My Summer of Love Singapore Premiere
Date: 16 October 2006 (Monday)
Time: 9 pm
Venue: to be announced soon
Price: USD$20 (approx. S$30)
Tickets are also available at the W@Nation Launch party at Club 95 (95
Club St) on Saturday, Sept 9 from 8pm till late. For information and
ticket reservations, call Rodin or Tiffany at 62762132 from 10am-7pm.
If you are unable to attend the premieres but wish to make cash
donations to AWARE and the CWS, you may do so through the Fridae Shop.
