What we've been busy with

Posted by: Zee

More to come!

August is Singapore gay pride season again

Posted by: Zee

PRESS RELEASE 17 July 2006 Singapore

Indignation 2006, the second annual Gay and Lesbian Pride Season, starts on 1 August and will comprise around 20 events.

The event calendar can be seen at www.plu.sg/indignation/

Like last year, there will be a number of forums on various subjects, from women's issues to gay marriage, from Indian classical literature to the recent general election.

Well-known writer Christine Suchen Lim will be reading two of her stories on 10 August in the event titled "Mothers at the edge". Acclaimed playwright Desmond Sim's new play, "Fairy Godfather" will be given a reading on 12 and 13 August.

Dominic Chua will once again be organising ContraDiction", an evening of gay poetry, on 3 August.

This year, transgendered Singaporeans will also be having their own dialogue session, also on 3 August.

The organisers of Indignation 2006 are a subgroup from People Like Us, a gay and lesbian group whose mission is public education with respect to sexuality and non-discrimination.

"There is a tremendous amount of energy and creativity among gays and lesbians," says Russell Heng, one of the organisers. "The pity is that Singapore doesn't realise the contribution made by gay and lesbian Singaporeans unless one organises a festival like this to showcase it."

Adds Alex Au: "Nor do many Singaporeans realise that straight people too, e.g. Suchen Lim, one of our contributors, support the message that ignorance and discrimination is wrong."

"Indignation is a broad tent. Everybody, straight and gay, is welcome to participate," stressed Kelvin Wong. "And hopefully, people will realise that that party set do not typify the gay community."

"The ultimate message of Indignation," says Jean Chong, "is that lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals and gays are part of Singapore life and members of our families, and we should be asking ourselves, why do we discriminate against our own?"

Agreeing, Miak Siew, who is curating an art exhibition, titled "Sama-sama", says, "We want to reflect the dreams and aspirations of the gay community as part of Singapore."

Not all events are serious; Pride Season is interspersed with social evenings for light-hearted fun including an evening of Chinese singing at Xpose cafe and the Great Singapore Makeover at Mox bar and cafe. Tantric Bar is organising Paradise 2006, to celebrate National Day.

The Pride Season will round off with a book launch on 24 August, followed by a chill-out evening at Club95.

For more information, please see:

www.plu.sg/indignation/
(email link available from that site)

Events by Oogachaga

Posted by: Zee

Sent in by: Bryan from Oogachaga

OC Chinese Talk Series returns in July.

Coming out of the closet is a phase that all of us are familiar with.
Some of us had a smooth journey while others went through a painful one.

In our July talk, Tin and other guests will share their coming out stories with us.

Date: 19 July 2006 (wed)
Time: 8 pm
Venue: Expose @ South Bridge Road

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OCMEN SUPPORT GROUPS STARTING IN AUG 06 ONE MANDARIN AND ONE
ENGLISH

This message is for gay men who face challenges in their lives because of their sexual orientation and would like to meet other like-minded individuals in a safe and comfortable environment for support, friendship and personal growth.

OC Men is a support group for gay men who are coming to terms with their sexuality and want to achieve a healthy integration of their lives and sexual identity. Started in June 1999, OC Men has since given dozens of Singaporean gay men - young and older - a space in which to develop
greater self-awareness and confidence to be who they are. Through our support group meetings, we explore issues such as stereotypes, coming out, relationships, self-esteem, being single, safer sex, etc.

There will be two separate groups starting in August 2006 and run for four months. One will be facilitated in Mandarin and the other in English.

If you are interested in joining the support group, please write to Yang at yang@oogachaga.com. For more information, please visit our website at www.oogachaga.com