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The New Paper (Singapore), 9 August 2001
Final Fantasy Island?
A National Day celebration not seen before here
as gays and lesbians gather for Sentosa party
By Eugene Wee
The event was billed as "Singapore's first ever national
pride party".
Others called it a "coming out" party.
But the organiser of Nation, a homosexual-linked event
at Sentosa last night, would rather call it a "coming
together" party.
You can say it was a National Day celebration unlike
any Singapore has seen before.
Men, dressed in the national colours of red and white,
were sashaying hand-in-hand with their boyfriends to
the beat of techno music.
Short-haired female revellers had their arms around
the waist of their girlfriends as they mingled with
the crowd.
And interspersed among the two groups were boy-girl
couples who just wanted to have a "fun" time.
Held last night at Sentosa's Fantasy Island, Nation
turned out to be a discreet celebration for homosexuals.
The event attracted a mixed crowd of about 1,000 revellers.
The event's co-organisers were Fridae.com, an online
gay and lesbian portal based in Hongkong, and Sentosa
Development Corporation, a well-established statutory
board. (See report on the right.)
However, no ads were placed in the main media here.
Ticket were sold discreetly by eight retailers including
Ritz salon, according to AFP.
Reporting the event on Aug 6, the international news
agency AFP called it a "coming out" party for the low-profile
homosexual community in Singapore.
COMING TOGETHER PARTY
But Fridae.com's chief operating officer, Dr Stuart
Koe, told The New Paper that it was not meant to be
a "coming out" party, but more of a coming together
party for all Singaporeans.
The party organisers obviously had a sense of humour,
judging by this notice. "Nation is merely a National
Day dance party that welcomes gays, lesbians and friends,"
said Dr Koe, who is also a volunteer with Action for
Aids, which helps Singaporeans diagnosed with Aids.
"Like any other National Day celebration, we are celebrating
our progress as a nation, our achievements as a people."
And celebrate they did.
The scene was reminiscent of the cabaret shows at the
Boom Boom Room.
Drag queens, dressed in traditional costumes like the
kebaya and sari, performed dances and skits to local
songs like Stand Up for Singapore and Burung Kaka Tua.
Actor Lim Kay Siu and his wife, Neo Swee Lin - better
known as Phua Chu Kang's mother - joined the drag queens
on stage and waved little national flags to welcome
National Day.
One gay reveller, who wanted to be known only as David,
hoped there would be more such parties here.
"Singaporeans are still conservative and I don't think
they can accept our behaviour in public," said the 29-year-old
marketing executive.
He declined to give us his full name for fear of losing
his job if his boss found out that he is a homosexual.
Straight couples interviewed, however, appeared to
be attracted by the National Day theme.
Wind Goh, 26, was there with his wife, Serene, despite
not knowing any gays and lesbians there.
"We're enjoying ourselves here even though we are not
gay," said Mr Goh, who works in the entertainment industry.
"In fact, we're waiting for another 20 of our straight
friends to join us so we can party here all night."
However, not everyone feels the same way as the Gohs.
Some, like teacher Siau Choon Fui, believe that Singapore
is not ready for a public homosexual party.
"It sends the wrong message that it's cool and it may
encourage more young people to indulge in it," said
Mr Siau, 29.
Ten per cent of money raised at the party will go to
Action for Aids.
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