Singapore PAP MPs, opposition politicians attend LGBTQ rally despite pro-family scorecard

A pro-family group’s scorecard grades Singapore’s politicians on LGBTQ issues including assessing them on attendance at the Pink Dot rally

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People attend the 2024 Pink Dot rally in Singapore. Photo: Reuters

Published: 1:31pm, 30 Jun 2024Updated: 6:15pm, 30 Jun 2024

Despite the emergence of a scorecard grading politicians based on their traditional stances on family values, several politicians attended this year’s Pink Dot, with two Members of Parliament from the People’s Action Party saying that it is important to speak to all communities in Singapore.

Speaking on the sidelines of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rally Pink Dot, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Eric Chua said: “I believe in staying true to the mission. My mission is to serve the people and the people in today’s terms in Singapore is a very pluralistic one.

“We need to look at different sectors that need to be engaged and continue the communications with each of the sectors.”

A morning downpour might have left most of Hong Lim Park in a muddy bog, but that did not stop thousands from dressing up in pink and attending Pink Dot to show their support for the LGBTQ community.

Held from 3.15pm to 8.30pm on Saturday, the annual LGBTQ rally featured 29 community booths from organisations providing different forms of support to the LGBTQ community and performances by local acts such as singer Marian Carmel, all men’s choir Sing Men’s Chorus and drag performance group Singapura Drag Royalty.

Several speakers also took the microphone during the event, including Anne Goh, a former national rugby player and volunteer for lesbian, bisexual and queer organisation Sayoni; drag artist Kira Moon, who was harassed and assaulted by a group of men in March; and Clarence Singam, co-founder of counselling organisation for the LGBTQ community Oogachaga.