THE Pink Dot mass picnic started out in 2009 as a small group of people from the gay community celebrating the "freedom to love", as they put it, regardless of sexual orientation.
Over the years, organisers adopted a non-confrontational approach to gay rights. Pink badges - the movement's symbol - sprouted and the event has become Singapore's biggest civil-society gathering. About 21,000 turned up last year.
2014 - a turning point, one that raises the question of whether Singapore is seeing the advent of culture wars, where issues of ideology and behaviour become polarising forces in society, as in the US.
That is because this year, religious groups have come out directly to protest against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) event. They are against homosexuality and see the mass event as undermining traditional family values.Islamic religious teacher Noor Deros has launched a "Wear White" campaign, calling for Muslims to don the colour of "purity" at mosques today, the eve of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
And in what is possibly the first inter-faith cooperation of its kind against the LGBT issue, some Christian groups have come on board.Outspoken pastor Lawrence Khong has pledged the support of his Faith Community Baptist Church and the LoveSingapore network of churches, asking members to wear white today and tomorrow at church.
MAGDALENE: WHY DO THEY NEED TO HOLD A MASSIVE EVENT TO PROCLAIM THEIR SEXUAL PREFERENCE. I DON'T ORGANIZE A RALLY TO SAY - HEY LOOK AT ME - I AM A REBEL AND YOU MUST LEARN TO ACCEPT MECECELIA: GAYS ARE COOL! SOME OF THE FINEST PEOPLE I HAVE MET.
SANE THOMAS: HOMOSEXUALS WANT TO BE ACCEPTED BY SOCIETY. THEY NEED ALL THE LOVE THEY CAN GET. IT IS NOT EASY BEING THE SUBJECT OF RIDICULE AND CRITICISM. LEAVE THE JUDGING TO GOD. BE NICE.
AT THE SAME TIME, I DO NOT THINK A MEGA EVENT LIKE THIS IS NECESSARY TO GAIN ACCEPTANCE. IT IS OUR DAILY ACTIONS,OUR SINCERITY AND OUR RESILIENCE THAT WOULD HELP. JUST STAY CALM AND CARRY ON....IT IS A MATTER OF TIME THAT YOU WILL BE ONE OF US, WITH MORE PEOPLE LEARNING TO ACCEPT AND UNDERSTAND YOU.
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