Dear friends,It is Pink Dot this Saturday, 24th June, and I wonder how many of you are planning to attend? Some of you may be wondering if Pink Dot is still relevant, especially after the repeal of 377A. You may also be wondering if your presence is really required after so many instalments of Pink Dot over the years. Not to mention, the heat, queue and crowds.
For me, the reason I am committed to showing up at Pink Dot is because I remember the first time I attended Pink Dot many years ago, and it was amazing to see the entire Hong Lim Park filled with people like me, and families/loved ones/allies who stand with the lgbtq+ community. I choose to continue showing up because there are many who may not have a supportive family or community, and Pink Dot is the one time in the year they get to experience what it’s like to belong to a community that embraces them for who they are. Of course, there are many other reasons why Pink Dot is still needed. The repeal of 377A is just the first step in our long journey towards equality. Equality in the workplace, educational space, housing, healthcare and media representation are still areas that could be improved on in Singapore.
As the only lgbtq+ affirming church, I believe it’s important for us to show up. The question of whether to attend Pink Dot is no longer so much for our personal benefit, but for those who need to see representation of a faith community/God who loves and embraces them wholeheartedly. Miak and I will be there, and we invite you to come join us at Pink Dot this year. We will try to organically bring people together at the park so please contact us or arrange with your friends to attend together.
We are also co-hosting My Family Matters with Oogachaga and several other organizations to spend an afternoon with parents and loved ones of lgbtq+ family members. If you know anyone who might be interested, please RSVP at bit.ly/OCmyfamilymatters by 28 June 2023.
This Sunday, we continue on our preaching series as we explore what it means to be Wholeheartedly Worthy of Love.
Shalom,
Pauline