02.13.08
Posted in General, Queer News at 3:31 am by snorkeem
The 3rd International Lesbian and Gay Association-Asia Regional Conference was held in Chiangmai, Thailand from 24th to 27th January 2008. Being a member of ILGA, a few of us from Sayoni Singapore travelled to participate and vote in the event.
At first, we were caught off guard by the sheer diversity of people who attended. The conference brought together about 160 delegates from a whole range of Asian countries, to name a few, China, HongKong, Macau, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Mongolia, Burma, Philippines, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kyrgystan, Armenia, etc etc.
The difficulty of initial communication and fruitful networking aside, seminar sessions were many and diverse in their content and quality. Of particular importance was the launching of the Yogyakarta Principles by Prof. Vitit Muntarbhorn.
Prof. Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand) is UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and professor of Law at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. He co-chaired the experts’ meeting which drafted The Yogyakarta Principles, a set of principles on the application of international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Principles affirm binding international legal standards with which all States must comply.
http://www.yogyakartaprinciples.org/
Sayoni was able to help out by facilitating the women’s caucus on the first day and learned a lot from the women sharing about their views on various issues pertaining to the personal, community and the world at large. Subsequent days were followed by sessions on transgender issues, laws, rights, HIV, country focus issues, women issues, etc.
A gay pride parade was also held on the third day (Saturday) of the conference that marched from the Puttastan Buddhist Centre to the Night Bazaar / Pantip Plaza. The first in Chiangmai, it was greeted with curiosity from the locals, delight by tourists and participation by some who wanted to show their support.
Sayoni would like to thank Myo, Mira, Chiang Mai based LGBT groups, The Committee on Lesbigay Rights in Burma (CLRB) and M-Plus for organizing the conference on the ground.
tags:
asia,
conference,
gay,
glbt,
ilga,
lesbian,
lgbt,
pride parade.,
queer,
transgender,
transsexual,
3rd ilga-asia regional conference
- Forum discussion: Sayoni Forum
- technorati: 3rd ILGA-Asia Regional Conference, ilga, glbt, lgbt, gay, lesbian, queer, transgender, transsexual, asia, conference, pride parade.
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01.29.08
Posted in Politics, Queer News, Religion at 11:58 am by pleinelune
On a boring bus-ride home, I was just musing that last week was the week to die.
I am not being morbid, really - at that time on TVMobile, the un-switch-off-able source of entertainment that subjects you to the terrible soap operas whether you want it or not, they were splashing news about Suharto’s death. Not that no one saw it coming, because I’ll bet you they were working on the eulogy and the news-report the minute Suharto was committed to the hospital.
And of course, a week ago, Heath Ledger was found dead on the floor of his SoHo of a drug overdose. Heath Ledger, as we all know, was the handsome hunk who played the gay cowboy on Brokeback Mountain, and did a wonderful job of it. While his young and sudden death is tragic, it is not something I particularly cared about, Brokeback or no Brokeback, until this. Read the rest of this entry »
- About: Pleinelune thinks everyone deserves to die with dignity. Even Hitler.
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05.28.07
Posted in LGBT Rights, Queer News, Singapore Gay News at 4:32 pm by pleinelune
The wise old man has spoken, and pearls have come out of his mouth. One pearl had F1 race written boldly on it, and another had a rainbow sheen. Just a sheen, a trick of the light upon the smooth surface.
Minister Mentor Lee has, surprisingly, given his stamp of approval for the decriminalisation of homosexual sex in Singapore. Following this widely-publicised interview, Reuters questioned him further on his change of heart. As to the motivations of his statement, it is painfully clear that it is bourne out of economic sense than any amount of sympathy towards human rights.
Read the rest of this entry »
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01.22.07
Posted in Announcements, General, Psychology & Research, Queer News, Singapore Gay News at 10:17 am by sayoni
Sayoni proudly presents Sayoni Queer Women Survey 2006 Report, compiling the results of this year’s survey.
Abstract
Objectives:
1. To ameliorate the dire lack of information on queer women in Singapore. Currently, there is no proper understanding of how the women’s queer community functions, other than biased and disjoint personal views.
2. To gain some perspective on the actual needs of queer women, and what we can do about them
3. To provide free and accessible information to researchers, and act as a starting point for further research into the field
The survey is broken down into four main aspects. Questions in each category are streamlined and standardised for easy answering, by presenting most of the questions as rating questions where possible.
1. Introduction
General background.
2. Family, Friends and Work
Questions on how out the respondent is to various circles of people in their lives, how this group has reacted to the information, and the respondent’s intention to come out to that particular group.
3. Personal
Questions on the personal level relating to sexual orientation. Probes how the respondents come to realise their sexuality, different aspects of personal identity, and how their sexuality has affected them. Also includes information on relationships of respondents.
4. Financial
Questions to ascertain the financial status of queer women as a community - on salary, type of industry respondents choose to work in, housing and car ownership.
This survey was not carried out with a null hypothesis in mind, and much of the information contained in this report is processed descriptive statistics. Where possible, averages and trends have been pre-computed, presented along with a broad analysis of the data.
The statistics available are broken down across Age, Ethnicity and Religion, as it is believed that these three different aspects affect the average queer woman in her views and social situation with respect to her sexuality. Where either age, ethnicity or religion is perceived to have no bearing on the response, the data has been left out.
This report is available for free download for the public. However, a lot of effort and time has been put into conducting this survey and collating the results into this report. If you feel we have done a good job, please donate through the Paypal link below the Paypal button. All donations will only be used for the running of this organisation
Design of button by Buttonmaker
tags:
bisexual,
community,
financial,
lesbian,
personal,
queer,
queer studies,
research,
sayoni queer women survey 2006 report,
singapore,
social,
statistics,
survey,
women,
glbt
- Forum discussion: Sayoni Forum
- technorati: glbt, queer, lesbian, bisexual, survey, queer studies, research, women, sayoni queer women survey 2006 report, statistics, singapore, community, social, personal, financial
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12.30.06
Posted in Queer News, Singapore Gay News at 12:57 pm by snorkeem
Finally the long awaited launch of SAFE (Supporting, Affirming and Empowering our LGBTQ friends and family) on 9th December 2006, at PPC’s Community Fair in Mox Bar. We went, we celebrated the new birth of courage and hope, this time round for those dear to our hearts. Our friends and family.
With SAFE’s mission to
form a network of support, affirmation and empowerment for families and friends of LGBTQ persons by providing information and resources and encouraging dialogue that promotes respect for human diversity and the well-being of all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning persons,
this will be another important milestone in our community.
Do check out their website and pass the message around.
www.safesingapore.blogspot.com
tags:
friends,
gay,
gay rights,
glbt,
lesbian,
parents,
pflag,
queer,
safe singapore,
singapore,
support,
transgender,
lgbt
- Forum discussion: LGBT News
- technorati: lgbt, glbt, queer, lesbian, gay, transgender, support, gay rights, safe singapore, singapore, friends, parents, pflag
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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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12.12.06
Posted in Ex-gay, Queer News at 6:22 pm by lublub
I guess everyone would have heard of the Ted Haggard scandal by now. If you haven’t, here is a brief summary of what happened: One of America’s most influential evangelist, Pastor Ted Haggard, who heads a ten-thousand strong church and is a fierce opponent against gay marriage, has been exposed as living a double life as a gay person. Apparently, he had employed the services of a call boy over an extended period of time. When the call boy saw Ted on TV opposing homosexuality and gay marriage, he decided to spill the beans on Ted to the media. Enraged by Ted’s hypocrisy, the call boy decided to break the code of silence and bring the truth to light.
I guess in a surreal way, this is a fantasy come true. Let me explain why….
For many of us, we have been attacked by religious people at some point of our lives with regards to sexuality. And it hurts. Badly. These emotional wounds that will heal over time (forgiven but not forgotten); leave an unmistakable scar on our psyches. And there is nothing that triggers past pains more strongly than an old scar being digged at. I should know, after all, the strongest homophobia I encountered was from fellow Christian friends when I came out. And it hurt me really badly because I was at that point of my life when I was vulnerable and needed support, not condemnation.
There were some hurtful things said. For example, I was likened to ‘an animal’. Worse, it came from a friend who identified as ‘ex-gay’. And it cut me so badly I cried buckets, at home, in school. To others. It also developed in me a deep hatred (at that point of time) for religious homophobia. I couldn’t imagine anything worse than those moments.
I’ve always believed in the ideas of fairness and equality, and would imagine days of vengeance and revenge on these religious homophobes. ‘What they did to me, one day, they will get in return’, that was what I envisioned in those dark days. I would imagine, how those who call themselves ‘ex-gay’ or ‘reformed’, those who promote the idea of sexuality change, would one day fall on their own swords. And eat their words because they will be proven wrong. Because I believed that suppressing one’s desires is unnatural and will one day lead to an internal implosion inside the person. In my head, all those ex-gays were wrong and one day they would know and I would bear witness to it. And I will be happy for I will be vindicated.
Well, those events happened 2 years ago. And 2 years hence, came the Ted Haggard saga and the seeming fruition of my fantasies. One of the biggest personifications of religious homophobia has befallen, because of himself. Just as I had envisioned and wished for. My proof has come.
But am I happy?
Do I gloat? I’ve had my wish. But it doesn’t satisfy. No. Instead, I feel empty and pity. Pity for those who build a trap for themselves. Pity for those caught up in the system, unaware of circumstances that caused them to think that way. They believe that they are doing the right thing. If you believe you are doing something right, who can blame you for doing it?
Moreover, I think my rage has mellowed a bit. Past hurt has served an important lesson to me. It taught me a lot of things. One of which is that, no matter what people say, as long as you are happy, you don’t have to do what society expects of you. After all, you are only responsible for yourself and your own happiness. Life is what you make of it. That’s why I’m not going to bother about what other people say about my sexuality. And in that same ironic sense, I will not enforce myself upon those who say they are happy ‘being changed’. Their happiness is for them to decide. Even though we may disagree on who’s right and who’s wrong, I believe no one is the wiser. Because like I said, life is what you make of it.
My ex-gay friend, I used to think of him with a bit of pity and disdain. These days, I am ambivalent and more neutral. Both of us walked along the same path once. I stuck to the road, he changed ways. And so our life journeys part and differ. But I’m not going to say I’m right. Or the better one. Because to do that, is to act like the very people who hurt me once. To enforce my views on people who are happy with their own lives, that is invasive and bigoted.
So when I heard of Ted Haggard, sure, it strengthens my belief that repression of your sexuality is wrong. But I’m not going to tell that to the ex-gays. I’m not going to shove it in their faces even though I know I’m highly tempted to do so. Tit for tat… in vengeance of the past hurt they caused me. For they have chosen their own life paths, and no amount of ‘proof’ I give them will dissuade them. People choose what they want to believe. So I’ll just let bygones be bygones and continue as I am.
As for Ted Haggard himself, perhaps instead of laughter and gloating and condemnation towards the man…. Let us not act like the ones who hurt us. Instead, say a little prayer for him.
Peace.
tags:
discrimination,
forgiveness,
gay,
gay rights,
hurt,
lesbian,
oppression,
queer,
religious fundamentalists,
ted haggard,
glbt
- About: lublub is at peace. Ohm
- Forum discussion: Sayoni Forum
- technorati: glbt, queer, lesbian, gay, ted haggard, discrimination, gay rights, oppression, religious fundamentalists, hurt, forgiveness
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07.31.06
Posted in General, Queer News at 6:41 pm by snorkeem
Eleven months ago Utopia launched its publication division. Since then we’ve published 6 guidebooks under the Utopia banner: the Utopia Guide to China; to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar & Vietnam; to Thailand; to Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia; to Japan, South Korea & Taiwan, and to Asia (16 countries). See http://www.utopia-asia.com/utopiaguide/ for more info.
As companions to our 6 guidebooks we want to publish additional volumes under the Utopia banner and would like to invite artists and authors to contribute to the first of these, a collection of short works (10-50 pages would be ideal) by gays and lesbians exploring destinations in Asia. Works should not be extremely “time-sensitive” as the intention is to continue selling this book for years to come.
You may select any location within the region, and any subject you wish to focus on. Essays or stories that touch on gay/lesbian-related subjects will be given priority in the final selection. In addition to non-fiction, works of fiction or poetry are also welcome. Photographs are as well, although these will appear only in black and white.
Content may be erotic but must not be pornographic. Authors retain all rights. Utopia retains the right to edit works as needed. Works should be proofed and spell-checked and submitted in plain text format or Word format.
The book will be distributed by Ingram, the largest distributor in the US. The books will be available in electronic form and will also be available in printed form from major online resellers around the world.
Please contact us for details if you are interested in participating. There will be a fee paid to those selected for publication.
Feel free to submit more than one piece. We are also looking to publish complete works under the Utopia banner, so if you have an Asia-themed novel or other gay/lesbian-Asia related project sitting around gathering dust, please let us know.
We look forward to your participation!
Contact: Utopia, info@utopia-asia.com
- technorati: Utopia-Asia, glbt, gay, lesbian, glbt publication, glbt writing
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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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04.24.06
Posted in General, Queer News at 12:58 pm by sayoni
Utopia Guide to Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia : the Gay and Lesbian Scene in 60+ Cities Including Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Johor Bahru and the Islands of Bali and Penang
SINGAPORE, April 21 2006: Which country is home to Asia’s fastest growing openly homosexual sub-culture? Would you believe tiny Singapore? With more than 30 openly gay businesses in the tourist-friendly Chinatown neighborhood alone, Singaporean
entrepreneurs are feeling free enough to fuel a huge boom in the city-state’s pink economy.
But which country do gay Singaporean’s think has the hottest scene going? They point to their neighbor, Malaysia. Indeed, though still largely underground, Malaysia’s gays and lesbians have a steadily growing number of restaurants, clubs, spas and gyms that
openly welcome them and world-class venues are popping up in even small cities like Penang and Kota Kinabalu. Read the rest of this entry »
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