Despite 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 around 21,000 people, the same number as last year's, came for this year's event despite what they called "overwhelming" negativity towards the gathering, which celebrates the "freedom to love".
Earlier this month, a Muslim teacher launched a "Wear White" campaign on Facebook to remind Muslims not to participate in the event. The campaign also drew support from conservative Christians led by Faith Community Baptish Church senior pastor Lawrence Khong, who staunchly opposes the repeal of Section 377A which criminalizes sex between men.
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, including "sticker lady" Samantha Lo and human rights lawyer M Ravi.
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.
However, he said that organizers were open to having a dialogue with Khong, who has asked his followers to wear white specially for a worship service at Suntec Convention Centre on Sunday to make a "statement".
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.
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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