Pink Dot this year was crowded. We arrived at 4:30 pm expecting to have plenty of choices on where to set up camp, but we exited the MRT station to see the field of green already filled with plenty of people and picnic mats. We decided to stay near the edge of the field and settled on Balloon 1.
Lots of people came by through out the day and we managed to catch up with quite a few friends whom we haven't seen in a while. As I told Kirsten who was reporting for TOC ( http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2015/06/pink-dot-packs-hong-lim-park-once-more/ ) , Pink Dot is really like Chinese New Year for gay people (Thanks @Joycelyn for coming up with the phrase!) We are often pre-occupied by our daily lives and don't get to meet up with our friends as often as we like. Pink Dot is a great opportunity for us to meet loads of people on the same day, do quick catch ups and take selfies. For those we didn't get to see, please reach out and arrange a time. Let's not wait til next year!
Photos courtesy of Angie & Ching
Photo by Rebecca Tan
Photo by Ng Yi Shu
This year there were 2 points during Pink Dot when I was very moved.
When we sang the national anthem. Even though there was no flag fly past this year because it's not National Day Parade rehearsals yet, this year's anthem felt very comforting. As we stood there amidst the light drizzle, with the sky darkening, being in the sea of pink with everyone singing their hearts out was as powerful as usual.
When Patricia Mok shared the story of how a mother had sent her a Facebook message about how she loves her son and thanks her son's partner for loving him. I confess that tears came to my eyes to hear such a powerful affirmation of love.
After the light up, it was a great feeling to just sing and move with the other 28,000 people who came together to celebrate love regardless of race, language, religion, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Photo from Pink Dot SG Facebook Page ( https://www.facebook.com/pinkdotsg )
Throughout the day, we met various new people who came up to us and thanked us for making a stand and being visible. Someone even came up and hugged us at the traffic light when we were about to leave. I want to take this chance to say this to everyone who reads this blog - Thank you for reading and sharing. It motivates me to continue writing because I know how important it is for us to be visible, to be seen, to be heard.
Pink Dot may be over, but let's continue to support each other and celebrate the freedom to love. Each & Every day.
P/S: See if you can spot me and a little bit of Zoey in this Pink Dot 2015 video by the fantabulous Boo Jun Feng ;)