SINGAPORE, July 2 — In spite of tighter security measures including bag and body checks, and barricades put up for the first time around Hong Lim Park, some 20,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents turned up for the Pink Dot event yesterday, the organisers said.
The annual event in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community was into its ninth consecutive year. This year’s Pink Dot was held after amendments were made to the Public Order Act (Unrestricted Area) in November, which barred foreigners from participating in assemblies and processions at the Speakers’ Corner. Sponsorship from foreign companies were also restricted. It also came ahead of new laws to better protect the public from the growing terrorism threat, which will come into force in a few weeks.
Apart from the bag and body checks, all attendees had to produce their identity cards to prove that they are Singaporeans or PRs. Those who spoke to TODAY said they were unfazed by the hassle. James Khoo, who had attended four previous Pink Dot events, said the extra wait was “a small price to pay...to celebrate the freedom to love”. First-time attendee Tang Jie, 31, also shrugged off the 15-minute wait to get into the venue.
Close to 7pm, which was about four hours after the venue was opened, announcements were made by the organisers to inform those who were trying to get in that full capacity was reached. Among the dozens of people who were turned away, some hung around in vain for almost an hour.
Speaking to the media before the event kicked off, Pink Dot spokesperson Paerin Choa, said that they would be taking “advice from the security personnel” on the numbers of people they could let in.
In 2015, the event attracted a record 26,000-strong turnout. The organisers did not provide attendance figures for last year’s event.
After the event, the organisers said they were “immensely grateful” for the turn out. Choa added: “We would like to thank all Singaporeans and PRs who waited in queue and for those who were unfortunately unable to enter the park due to overcapacity — we are greatly heartened by your show of support.”
Choa also said the organisers have “every intention” to continue holding Pink Dot in the future, with next year marking the 10th anniversary of the event. He noted that this was “not the first year” when the organisers faced challenges.
Choa said that he had hoped that having 120 local sponsors — up significantly from five last year — was a sign that “local attitudes (towards the LGBT community) are changing”.
Expressing hope for a strong turnout prior to the event, he said: “We hope it sends a signal to everyone that these are not foreign values... these are not foreign concepts ... these are embraced and valued by Singaporeans here.” — TODAY
