Views from our Balloon Cam

We had our cameras (with super duper lenses) all set at the vantage point for the aerial photo of Pink Dot 2010. But then a day before the event, we wondered what sorts of images we could capture if we simply attached a camera to one of our mega (36-inch) balloons?

It was no easy feat. The engineer among our midst did some calculations - it would take 3-4 big balloons to lift that 200g Canon compact camera high enough to capture Pink Dot in its entirety (around 20-storeys high).

We weren't ready to go all the way with this experiment (should our army black tape fail us, the camera will seriously injure someone; not to mention, we'd be out of a perfectly good camera) and so, we went with just two balloons - enough to lift BalloonCam^TM to a 5-storey height.

The camera was attached to one balloon with merely four pieces of tape (Our faith in the black tape has been renewed!); that balloon was attached to another mega-balloon; and both balloons were held in place by three long (pink) ribbons.

We did a test run at 4pm, before the start of the event. Preliminary footages looked promising. However, because the camera was attached to a lightweight balloon at the end of the day, we could only capture whatever the winds allowed us...

The camera was set to video mode. We recorded 2GB of data, and the image that you see above is a still from the video (at 640x480) - right before the event's grand finale.

We're quite happy with the result. The images aren't as sharp as the ones captured by our professional photogs, but we think it provides an interesting (low-flying) bird's eye view that complements the eagle view of our cameras way up there (on the 23rd floor).

Let's see if we can refine our methods and improve on BalloonCam^TM next year! Meanwhile, anyone with (constructive) suggestions... drop us an email or fill in the comments section below :)

(The Pink Dot peeps would like to compliment Suiling Ng, Mohd Hisham & Adrian Ch for their wonderful pictures)

Pink Dot 2010: From the heart

Press Release: Hong Lim Park becomes a sea of Pink, with over 4,000 turning up for Pink Dot 2010

Singapore, May 15, 2010 – Over 4,000 pink-attired people gathered at Hong Lim Park today at 6pm to form a giant pink dot in a show of support for inclusiveness, diversity and the freedom to love. This makes Pink Dot 2010 the largest public gathering ever seen at the Speakers’ Corner since its opening in 2000, and is nearly twice the number of people who turned up at last year’s event.

The milestone event, held for the second time here, is organised by a group of local volunteers and aims to raise awareness and foster deeper understanding of the basic human need to love and be loved, regardless of one’s sexual orientation. This year’s theme is family, and the peaceful event was attended by both straight and gay Singaporeans and permanent residents, some who came with their family members.

Pink Dot spokesperson Jack Yong said: “We are immensely gratified and touched by the show of solidarity and support that Singaporeans have given us. Pink Dot 2010 has reached out and moved even more Singaporeans, straight and gay

“It is extremely uplifting to know that Singaporean families are strong enough to look beyond the labels and social prejudices that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Singaporeans face to continue to love and support one another. Pink Dot 2010 is not a demonstration nor a protest, but a celebration of love and kinship.”

In 2009, the inaugural Pink Dot, held at the same venue, saw 2,500 people in attendance. The peaceful event garnered extensive local and international press coverage, including the BBC and New York Times. Today’s gathering is a further indication of Singaporeans’ increasing awareness and support for the LGBT community – and significantly exceeding 2009’s turnout.

Three local celebrities – veteran actors Adrian Pang, Tan Kheng Hua and DJ Johnson Ong, also known as DJ BigKid – have stepped up as ambassadors for this year’s event. Adrian and Kheng Hua are parents themselves, and share a hope for a world where families can overcome the barriers to love.

Adrian Pang, 44, said: “Pink Dot carries a meaningful message about the belief that we all have a right to love and be loved. These values about love and harmony are ones that I would want to impart to my two boys – to teach them that life is so much happier when we live with love, understanding, generosity of spirit and compassion.

“This is why Pink Dot is significant. Things and views won’t change overnight, and the wider society will take some time to understand LGBT issues. But it is a start to building positive attitudes to a more open, inclusive and loving society.”

Actress Tan Kheng Hua said: “I am honoured to support the peaceful and loving event, which I believe signals a progress of a more open and inclusive Singaporean society.”

DJ BigKid added: “Seeing many Singaporeans at the event, both straight and gay, some who came with their families, was a moving experience. Pink Dot 2010 touched many lives, and is a landmark event in Singapore history.”

Pink Dot 2010 aims to highlight stories of honesty, openness and the strength of families who have unconditionally stuck by their loves ones, in the hope that all Singaporeans will join in celebrating the freedom to love within families, where sexual orientation represents a trait, not a barrier.

Pink Dot co-spokesperson, Stephanie Ong, said: “Although the presence of more LGBT individuals is slowly emerging into the mainstream, present societal attitudes keep many others from coming out of the closet. They fear that their honesty will cost them their family, friends, and even their jobs. We believe that Pink Dot 2010 carries a symbol of support and solidarity which will go a long way.”

Thank you, 4,000 of you!

Come make Pink Dot 2010; Come make history!

Get your tops, umbrellas, hats, socks and wigs out! We're a matter of just hours away from Pink Dot 2010!

Last year, 2500 Singaporeans turned up for Pink Dot, making it the largest gathering ever recorded at Hong Lim Park in Singapore's history. Come join us this year to break that record, and to show your support for the Freedom to Love.

But before we gather to celebrate our year of the Family at Hong Lim Park this Saturday, here's a look back at the 2010 campaign so far.
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In February, we announced the date and the theme of the year - Family; and then in March, we introduced our ambassadors for Pink Dot 2010:

"I think Pink Dot helps to cast aside prejudices, and I think if we can get people to open up their hearts to their loved ones, it would be a good start. I don’t expect we can revolutionise everyone’s mindsets, but if we can even make individuals and families aware of this, they can maybe take this and question what they might do if they were to find themselves in a situation where they have a family member or friend who is going through this. Real lives can be touched and changed." - Adrian Pang

"Relationships within the family should never be underestimated. The impact that family members have, whether or not the relationships are acrimonious or harmonious, can impact the subconscious in complex ways. In good or in bad times, you should always be able to go back to where you began - which is the family.” - Tan Kheng Hua

“I think, a lot of times, this issue drives a wedge between sons and daughters, with their parents. There’s that ‘need’ to hide who you are, that ‘need’ to keep up with appearances, and because of this, you cannot reveal your true self to the people that you love – your parents, extended family members, friends, old classmates… It keeps everyone in the family from having a truly close relationship.” - DJ Big Kid
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In April & May, we featured real-life stories of strong, cohesive families:

"Love and acceptance should start at home. As parents, if we do not show love to our children, how can we expect society to do the same? So I hope that parents will love their children for who they are. They are god's gift. When our children receive love and acceptance at home, I believe that they will go on to live their lives with love, and contribute to society in meaningful ways." - Eileena's mom
Read the full story in English & Chinese

“When you walk out on the street you have to face the cold hard facts, the world, and the way people look at you...it’s hard. Home is supposed to be the safe place where you can go to for warmth and love, and at the end of the day it’s good to know that there’s somebody you can go home to, who doesn’t judge you, who loves you for who you are.” - Jamie
Read the full story here

“I try to explain to my mom sometimes, that some people like vanilla ice cream, others like chocolate ice cream. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s a preference. I think everyone has to put in effort to pull the family together... To me, family is a group of people who go through the toughest times with you, and come out at the end, knowing you better, and loving you more, if not the same, regardless of what it is." - Joel
Read the full story here

"Over the years, they've realised that I'm still the same person. I still love them. I still care for them. Even though we communicate in our own ways, we have own ways of thinking, but I'm still essentially the same person. That hasn't changed. So maybe that helped to calm their fears... In fact, over the past few years when my ex was still staying with us... my mom even asked for him to come home for dinner sometimes. She'll say, 'Is he in Singapore? Why doesn't he come back for dinner? I'll cook his favourite dish.'" - Ethan

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And in case you missed it, here's the "Focusing on our Families" series of videos:

Focusing on our Families (Part 1)



Focusing on our Families (Part 2)



Focusing on our Families (Part 3)



Focusing on our Families (Part 4)



Pink Dot 2010: 一家亲 (其之一)

You ask, we answer!

We're just days away from the event!!! There are lots in store this year and we are hopeful that our friends, straight and gay, will join us in our celebration of the Family. Meanwhile, here are some responses to the questions we've been getting:

Q: How is Pink Dot 2010 different from Pink Dot 2009?

A: Pink Dot 2009 was the first platform where citizens could show, publicly, their support for LGBT family members and friends. Pink Dot 2010 takes our core message – to celebrate the Freedom to Love – a step further with a special focus on love within families.

Q: Will the event be exactly like last year?

A: Not exactly. Thanks to the love and generosity of our supporters, we are aiming to take the Freedom to Love to more Singaporeans, with different performances and a little surprise as well – watch out for it! We're very excited ourselves, to kick start the celebrations this Saturday.

Q: Yeah whatever, but what will we see at Pink Dot 2010?

A: Lots of people, dressed in PINK, hanging together with their friends and families. If you're coming alone, we guarantee you'll make friends with lots of like-minded others. There will be strolling performers at the park, as well as acts at the centre of the field. We promise an afternoon of entertainment and distractions.

You will also get to meet our ambassadors, Adrian Pang, Tan Kheng Hua, DJ Big Kid, along with Eileena Lee, Jamie Yee and Joel Kang, from our Focusing on the Family series!

Q: Is this event legit or legal?
A: Yes, 100%! We have registered the event, speakers and performances with the authorities and we seek your cooperation in keeping the event litter-free!

Q: What are the admissions charges like?
A: Like love - the event is absolutely free-of-charge!

Q: Can I bring my parents, siblings, uncles, aunties, grandmas, grandpas, children, friends, colleagues, etc to the event?
A: Yes, of course. We've planned a family-friendly event. There will be plenty to see and do for people of all ages – straight and gay.

Q: What is expected of me at the event?
A: Just show up, mingle, watch the performances, and have fun! An aerial photograph will be taken to commemorate the event. Bring water, food, family and friends. No littering, please.

Q: I want to attend the event but I can’t!
A: That’s a bummer. However, please encourage your family and friends to come. If you’re on Facebook, drop us a line of encouragement! Same if you’re on Twitter – let’s see if we can make #PinkDot a trending topic on event day!

Q: Do I have to RSVP?
A: Not at all, but feel free to pledge your attendance on our Facebook event page.

Q: Are foreigners allowed to attend?
A: According to the park's terms and conditions, only Singaporeans and Permanent Residents may participate at the events held at Hong Lim Park. However, foreigners are most welcome to watch and observe. It is, after all, a public park.

Q: What does "participate" really mean?

A: Well, our interpretation of the term is that foreigners should not join in during the human Pink Dot formation segment of event.

Q: Do I really have to come dressed in pink?
A: You don’t have to, but if you’re coming down to show your support, you might as well come in Pink!

Q: Is this event a protest?
A: Absolutely NOT. It is a peaceful gathering to celebrate the Freedom to Love, as well as to show recognition for the importance of family, regardless of whether you’re straight or gay.

Q: I am straight. Why should I go?
A: There are many LGBT Singaporeans around you. They may not be easy to identify, but they are your sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, colleagues and bosses, teachers and schoolmates, doctors and lawyers, etc. Though more LGBT individuals are slowly emerging into the mainstream, present societal attitudes keep many of them from coming out of the closet. They fear that their honesty will cost them their family, friends, and even their jobs.

We believe that strong relationships are built on love and understanding, not fear and secrecy. Unfortunately, most LGBT individuals in Singapore do not enjoy the basic freedom of being who they are in front of their loved ones. Your presence on 15 May 2010 can help to change that. It may be a small gesture, perhaps with little direct impact on the actual lives of others, but we believe that this symbol of support and solidarity will go a long way.

Q: Why the 'Family' theme this year?

A: We believe the theme we've chosen this year is highly relevant to Singapore. Family is the most basic unit of our society. Strong families make for a strong, cohesive society. As such, the 2010 campaign hopes to bring LGBT Singaporeans closer to their families. Plus, Pink Dot will take place on the International Day of the Family – which makes this a very apt theme.

Q: How did you come across those real-life stories highlighted on your videos and blog?

A: We asked our friends, who then asked their friends, friends' friends and friends' friends' friends. We realised through this process that while most LGBT Singaporeans desire closer relationships with their families, many fear the price of honesty. We hope that the stories shared in the Pink Dot 2010 campaign will provide optimism. To the eight families who have bravely stepped forward to inspire us, we remain eternally grateful.

Q: I know someone who might be LGBT. What should I do?

A: It helps to be equipped with knowledge. It also helps to speak with people who share similar experiences. We've compiled a resource list from which you can draw upon.

Q: Who are the people behind this campaign and event?
A: Volunteers who believe that Singapore can be a better place if we all just exercise a bit more love and understanding.

Q: Singapore is a largely conservative country. How can you organize such an event?
A: We love Singapore. This is our home and we believe that diversity is a cornerstone to our multicultural civil society. Like it or not, LGBT Singaporeans exist. We know that many people may not be in support of their fellow LGBT citizens. That is why campaigns like Pink Dot are important. They serve to foster public understanding, and through that, work towards building greater social cohesion.

Q: What can I do to help?
A: You can start by joining our Facebook page. Ask your family and friends to join too! When we need volunteers, that's where we'd normally post requests. Alternatively, you can also drop us an email. At the end of the day, every additional person who comes forward to support us is one more voice helping to bring about mutual understanding and respect for Singaporeans, gay and straight.

Stepping forward to support families

Pink Dot is happening this Saturday! Join our ambassadors and the families featured in our videos to support every Singaporean's freedom to love, regardless of sexual orientation. Please note that our programme will start on time, i.e. 5pm, so it may be a good idea to come a little earlier.

When:
5 to 6.30pm, 15 May 2010 (Sat)
Where:
Hong Lim Park
What to wear:
Anything pink
What to bring:
Family, friends, pets, picnic mats, your own food and refreshment, a fan to cool yourself if it's a hot day, an umbrella (pink please!) if it rains
Who will be there:
Adrian Pang, Tan Kheng Hua, DJ Big Kid, and more
What to expect:
Performances, fun and freebies (first-come-first-served), the mass formation of a heart and dot, of which aerial photos will be taken

Let's make #PinkDot a Twitter trending topic on May 15th as well! Spread the word to your followers, and get them to spread it to theirs :)

Brother to brother: Standing by your family through the tough times

Two brothers; two years apart. One is a man of the arts; one is studying political science. One is an introvert; the other is an extrovert. One is straight; one is gay. Meet Joel and Joey Kang, 22 and 24, both undergraduates at a local university.

However, the one thing these two brothers have in common is their love and appreciation for family. Despite their different interests, they both love each other fiercely for whom they are. Joey, the elder of the two, describes how he first realised his younger brother is gay: “I wouldn’t say that there were instances when I expected anything. Growing up, I didn’t have any suspicion or inkling he is gay.

“He had this friend who started staying over for extended periods of time. After a while, I started to suspect that there was something different. We didn’t really talk about these things, basically it was like ‘you do your own thing, I do my own thing’. “It got to the point that my parents even started buying breakfast for the friend. They didn’t even buy breakfast for my girlfriend!”

His younger brother chuckles, but admits that he never really told Joey upfront that he was gay. Well, till this interview.

“We were at the point in our lives where we were busy doing our own things. I didn’t really come out to him explicitly, I only implied. But there came a point where he referred to my boyfriend then as my boyfriend rather than just a friend, and that was when I knew he knew.”

Joey, who is in a choir and sometimes works with the Singapore Lyric Opera, says that Joel’s coming out was a surprise, but something he took rather easily in his stride.

“In my group of friends, we are mostly amicable towards gays, since we are used to people from all walks of life. But when I first found out about my brother, you know, you don’t really expect these things to happen within your own family. Our family is super traditional – the whole thing about blood relations is very important, and it’s one thing I think about often.

“But then it became about acceptance, and I got used to his boyfriend being with the family. I think it’s cool that I have a gay brother. Well, I think he’s cool, anyway.”

When Joel finally did come out to his parents in a face-to-face talk, it was still an emotional experience which took quite a bit of courage.

Joel said: “When I came out, my parents were generally quite okay with it, although it was a shock at first. It’s been a few years, and they have dealt with it on their own terms a little more. My mom cried when I first came out, and, asked questions like, ‘Why, you should have told us earlier and we would have sent you somewhere’ – yes, she actually said that.

“My dad said he is quite liberal, and was ok with that sort of thing. But one day, when he saw me with a female friend, he asked if that girl was my girlfriend. I was quite taken aback, and left the room after a while. Later, I listened in to them talking about me, and my dad was saying stuff like, ‘maybe he used to like to eat fish, and now he likes to eat meat’, and Joey was saying ‘no, if you like to eat fish, you like to eat fish…”

Joey chips in: “Yeah, I think part of him still thinks you might settle down with a girlfriend…”

His brother continues. “My mother is better with it now. I have had some moments in my life where I was going through difficult times, being heartbroken and all, and she was there for me. I guess, ultimately, I am her son.”

Joey says: “I try to explain to my mom sometimes, that some people like vanilla ice cream, others like chocolate ice cream. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s a preference. I think everyone has to put in effort to pull the family together.”

For Joel, coming out to his family and having them accept his sexuality was an important and affirming event.

"To me, family is a group of people who go through the toughest times with you, and come out at the end, knowing you better, and loving you more, if not the same, regardless of what it is. There can be blood ties, or friends."

“Family acceptance is important to me because when you think about it, that’s all you have – people who are going to be there for you, no matter what. And at the end of the day, you want to know you’re not alone in the world. But you are surrounded by people who love you: parents, siblings, friends, I think that is so important. In a world where there is so much war and hate, what’s wrong with a little more love?”