03.25.08
Posted in General, LGBT Rights at 10:59 pm by Kelly
Or how else to save the world
Image taken from Afterstonewall.com
I had an interview with a student conducting research last week. She and her partner were interested in what made people interested in political and social activism. I suggested that there are three prerequisites:
1. Consciousness
We are aware of the ways in which the world is imperfect or could be better. We consider the sources of influence. Without such consciousness, there would appear to be no necessity for action.
2. Role
We believe that we have a role to play in effecting change. The role may include spending time and energy mobilising others and building a sense of community, persuading publicly and privately for the cause. It may involve empowering the marginalised to live well, be seen and speak up.
3. Hope
We believe that things will get better with our contributions. Progress may take decades and it may be slow, but change will happen.
Unlike social workers, philanthropists and teachers, we may not be directly aiding beneficiaries. We are trying to address the systemic faults, ignorance and apathy which have given birth to a cause. Perhaps the word ‘activist’ simply recognises a role being played, not the extent to which one cares about the issue. Read the rest of this entry »
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03.06.08
Posted in Chinese, General at 10:17 pm by Kelly
On the eve of Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, I wandered on the way home through last-minute sales of dried seafoods, flowering-on-demand plants, mandarin oranges and tidbits. I inhaled the salty, pungent smells. I navigated through frenetic calculations. I cast heavy-lidded eyes over the scene, half-heartedly pondering the wisdom of $2 per box.
A quiet, hobbling figure was contemplating the same. Thin and bent, she wore a flower print, silky samfoo top, cotton pants and pushed a relatively new yellow plastic cart. It was devoid of the usual cardboard stacks. She shuffled quietly from one stack of dried squid cans to another. I got the sense that Chinese New Year would be a special occasion for her and she wanted everything to be the best that she could make it. My personal interest in buying was gone. A heaviness rose in my throat and I could no longer watch. Read the rest of this entry »
- About: Written by Kelly
- Forum discussion: Sayoni forum
- technorati: chinese new year, family, lunar new year
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12.18.06
Posted in Lesbian Scene, Queer News at 10:12 am by Kelly
Here at Sayoni, we are not just about emotive stories, sociological observations, philosophical musings and political arguments. We do get out.
For the queer woman in Singapore, there are not a lot of options in the night scene - mainly small, rather dated pubs. Self-expression is limited at mainstream clubs catering to heterosexuals and I hear the butch-looking have been refused entry at their doors too. Our only respite in this desert is the occasional queer women’s parties at larger venues.
Read the rest of this entry »
- Forum discussion: Events
- technorati: singapore, zouk, herstory, lesbian, queer, party, clubbing, nightlife
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05.10.06
Posted in General, Queer News, Singapore Gay News at 1:40 pm by Kelly
On a virgin visit to Mox, the secluded lift lobby and stuffy ride to the top feels like a rite of passage. This afternoon marked an important initiation indeed, lesbians plotting world dominion Pelangi Pride Centre’s re-launch party and Community Fair. As the queer cause has floated over the years, so has the community, symbolically. What cause, you may wonder, when it involves things we would rather take for granted - having our partners included in family events, asking friends for a perspective on dating or relationship issues, feeling safe where we have lived most of our life, supporting our partners through sickness and death - in essence, to live and love without guilt, anger and social rejection. Do cowgirls dream of tropical rainbows?
Registering at the fair, you would receive a welcome drink coupon and lucky draw number. There were booths for various activities and interests: us, an adventurers’ club, information about safe sex, a church community, a buddhist fellowship, a support group and a women’s discussion list and activity organiser.
Visitors who may have seemed shy at the beginning, warmed up as quickly as the air. For every stereotype about queer folk, you would find confirmation and contradiction in the diversity of appearances, personalities and agenda represented. Yet the mission was simply: seek people with whom you have something in common.
Against a background of music and poetry performed by Wendy Siew and Cyril Wong, feet reposed and chatter rose. Thanks to our charming volunteers, every woman received a Sayoni bookmark and some gamely wore our stickers.
Before long, people started crossing the line. Bodies pressed up against the booths eager to learn more. Organisers and booth representatives circulated. Family and friends bonded. The floor was packed and at least 50 members of Sayoni showed up.
Food – check, drinks – check, fun – check, learning – check, connection – check. This Election day, the community had at least one choice and we voted resoundingly.
- Forum discussion: Events
- technorati: Pelangi Pride Centre, PPC, queer, glbt, gay, lesbian, community, library, mox, celebration
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