Pink Dot will be taking to our screens for the second year in a row due to existing social distancing measures. While we do miss the annual gathering of LGBTQ communities and allies, a bright side to this is that everyone in Singapore and beyond can partake (government regulations stipulated in 2017 that foreigners were not allowed to attend). The theme for the 13th edition of Pink Dot, ​Let Light Lead The Way, is dedicated to highlighting the many challenges continually faced by LGBTQ Singaporeans, which has only been exacerbated by the pandemic.

“From a Pride flag being ripped from the countertop of a local eatery and thrown at staff, to the Reddit post that documented the traumatic experience of a transgender student in our school system – these events serve as a reminder that there is still work to be done to foster love and understanding for everyone in Singapore”, reads the Pink Dot press release.

At the most simple level, what you can do to show solidarity is head to Pink Dot’s website where the show, starring various local celebrities and drag queens, will be live-streamed. Before that, however, you can already head here to write a message of support and place your dot on their digital map (which will light up during the event).

Lastly, those planning to light up their homes pink can purchase decorations from the organiser’s e-store. P.S. Proceeds will go towards Pink Dot 13 activities such as producing the campaign video, organising the online concert and social media outreach.

June 12, 8pm. Watch the livestream here

Film buffs would do well to check out multidisciplinary artist Jeremy Sharma’s latest exhition, titled Slander!. The exhibition’s title references the 1959 film Korban Fitnah (Victims of Slander), and it’s part of Singapore Art Museum (SAM) Mini Mobile Museum series, a travelling art exhibition held in partnership with the National Library Board that brings art out of its usual setting and adapt its for non-museum spaces such as libraries.

Here, Sharma revisits a range of films shot and produced in Singapore from 1958 to 1963, the post-war period between the heyday of Singapore’s film industry and Singapore’s eventual independence. The films that emerged from this golden era of Malayan cinema played a big part in Singapore’s early search for a national identity and often reflected a sense of social restlessness – some would say that’s still very much relevant to today’s tumultuous landscape.

“With Slander!, I wanted to explore how identities are formed through the processes of urbanisation and nationhood, and also consider how the contemporary self is very much shaped by history,” says Sharma. “Watching selected films while experimenting with writing and history, I thought about questions like: How can we use these images and film archives to look at history through an alternative lens?”

Catch the first instalment of this exhibition at Woodlands Regional Library from June 9 to July 25. Subsequent instalments will be presented at the Jurong and Tampines Regional Libraries from July 28 to September 12, and September 15 to October 31 respectively

What’s a Pink Dot rally without its afterparties? Our favourite nightlife impresario Bobby Luo (pictured here in the middle) is putting on his popular Yum Yum Disco Dong party (titled Yum Yum Baby Pink Discothon, for this edition), gathering some of the scene’s most well-loved drag queens and performers for sorely missed revelry.

Like everything else, it’s a digital edition and entry fee is pay-as-you-wish – but if you’re in a position to, do consider donating more as tips collected are pooled and will be split equally between all DJs, drag performers, crew and organiser(s) who have lost their source of income. Lest we forget, nightlife and live performers represent some of the most badly affected groups during these Covid-19 times. Register here now to receive a Zoom link to the party.

June 12, 10pm to 2am