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The New Paper (Sunday), 6 July 2003
No Mardi Gras, Says PM. Yet...
Gay poser on National Day
Event touted as Asia Mardi Gras
Are they pushing their agenda?
By Calvin Low
Nation.03 has been dubbed "Asia's Mardi Gras" and it
will be held right here in Singapore - on National Day.
This, despite Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong having said
that gay parades are a definite no.
The PM had indicated a softening of the Government's
stance towards the gay community in an interview with
Time Magazine.
He felt that, over time, Singaporeans would "understand
that some people are born that way".
Said Mr Goh: "We are born this way and they are born
that way, but they are like you and me."
But is the gay community, bouyed by his remarks, pushing
its agenda with activities like "Asia's Mardi Gras"?
There has been some fudging.
While the Mardi Gras tag touted on its promotional
blurbs by organisers Fridae.com might give the image
of a gay pride street parade like those seen in Sydney,
Nation.03 is no parade.
It is a ticketed event and all the action will take
place within th confines of the event venues.
Still Nation.03 is no small , underground part for
Singapore's GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual
in gay-speak) community.
The organisers claim that this year's party, the third
in the annual series of Nation parties, will be the
biggest to date.
The puzzling thing is this: The police have yet to
recieve an application for the event. Such an event,
said a spokesman, would require a permit.
But Fridae.com seems confident thtat there will be
no obstacles.
It has spread the gaiety over three days comprising
a Welcome Party on Aug 7 at Why Not? Bar, the main Nation.03
event on Aug 8 at Sentosa Musical Fountain, and the
Poolside Recovery party on National Day at Big Splash.
The event is expected to attract 4,000 and 5,000 party
goers, said Fridae.com Chief Executive Officer Stuart
Koe, 30.
In 2001, the inaugural event attracted 1,500 party
goers. Last year, that number swelled to 2,500.
Hailed in international gay circles as "Singapore's
coming-out party", Nation.03 is dubbed the "Mardi Gras
of Asia".
Dr Koe claimed that, going by initial ticket sakes,
Nation.03 will attract people from Taiwan, Hong Kong,
Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and as far away as Los
Angeles and New York City in the US.
"And it will generate between $3 million and $4 million
dollars for Singapore tourism," he predicted, with "up
to $10,000 to be donated to Action for Aids".
Though a GLBT event, Nation.03 is open to non-GLBTs.
"Typically, between 10 and 15 per cent of people who
attend are non-GLBTs," claimed Dr Koe.
"They come to have a good time, fully aware of the
nature of the party," said Dr Koe.
Are they testing the limts, given that Singapore is
still largely conservative?
The organisers deny this. But they want Nation.03 to
serve as an avenue for mainstream Singaporeans to understand
and accept Singapore gays better.
LARGE AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY
Said gay activist Alex Au, who is not involved in organising
Nation.03: "The party will help people become aware
that the gay community is large, vibrant and full of
yuppies and middle-class, forward-looking people.
"Since it is open to everyone, Singaporeans will also
have the chance to discover that it is not terribly
threatening to be amidst gay people."
For foreigners, Nation.03 will also help change Singapore's
image as a "straight-laced, boring town", Dr Koe pointed
out.
And he doesn't think gay activists are pushing the
limits by coinciding Nation.03 with National Day.
"We are not making a statement."
"There have been gay bars for the last 30 years and
it is only now that these activities are becoming more
visible," he said. Nation.03 is a party for GLBTs to
celebrate National Day, he explained.
"Nation is no longer 'just a dance party'. In there
short years, Nation has evolved into a major celebration
of social diversity and acceptance.
"Singapore as a country has moved towards being a society
highly tolerant of diversity, and Nation reflects this
shift in mindset."
TOLERANT
Dr Koe felt that Singaporeans are "a lot more tolerent
than we give them credit for".
Will such events runt he risk of offending hetersexual
Singaporeans?
Mr David Kan, 38, executive director and senior counsellor
at the Family Life Centre, has counselled gays before.
He called for empathy among heterosexuals.
He said: "I see them as fellow human beings who are
imperfect.
"But we have to remember that we ourselves are
not perfect.
"Their imperfection comes in not being able to connect
with the opposite sex. But hetersexuals are not free
from imperfections in other ways.
"So I can't say if they are right or wrong. Just that
they have a certain set of needs that are different
from other people."
Wanting to "crusade their cause", Mr Kan said, shows
their need for acceptance by mainstream Singaporeans.
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