Although the unprecedented attendance of a PAP MP at Pink Dot has made headlines, Henry Kwek was not the first politician to attend Pink Dot. As we will see in this article, long before a PAP MP attended Pink Dot, opposition politicians have attended Pink Dot and campaigned for LGBTQ+ Equality.

A recent study by IPSOS has shown that only a minority support Section 377A now. However, most of these politicians have campaigned for LGBTQ+ rights long before the attitudes of Singaporeans shifted.

Henry Kwek At Pink Dot

At Pink Dot 14 yesterday (18 June 2022), out of more than 20,000 attendees, the headlines centered around the attendance of 2 sitting Members of Parliament.

There was a media frenzy around the attendance of the member for Keban Baru SMC, Henry Kwek, at Pink Dot. Pink Dot’s organisers, who announced Henry Kwek’s presence on their official social media channels, noted that this was the first time that a member of the ruling party is attending Pink Dot. While some argued that the attendance of a PAP MP was significant in and of itself, others took a different view.

Indignation.sg, a LGBTQ+ advocacy group, reminded their audience that it is because of the ruling party’s policies and legislation that Pink Dot is organised.

Put simply, they are literally the people in-charge of the current state of affairs. They have the power to do so much more than to just show up, and that is what citizens should expect of them.

First-ever MP to attend Pink Dot?

Another MP who was also present at Pink Dot 14 was Workers’ Party member Jamus Lim. Unlike Henry Kwek, whose attendance was well documented, Jamus’ attendance was only noted when the picture below circulated online.

The lack of fanfare may possibly be attributed to how Jamus reportedly attended the event in his personal capacity.

Opposition lawmaker Jamus Lim from the Workers’ Party also attended the 14th edition of today’s LGBT rally @PinkDotSG. Lim attended in his personal capacity.

— Xinghui Kok 郭馨惠 (@xinghui_kok) June 18, 2022

Although both Jamus and Henry were sitting MPs who attended Pink Dot 14, at least one media outlet reported that Henry was the “first ever MP” to attend Pink Dot.

Perhaps, as this Reddit user noted, this can be attributed to Henry arriving at Hong Lim Park before Jamus did.

Progress Singapore Party at Pink Dot

Politicians at Pink Dot

Besides Jamus and Henry, the leader of Progress Singapore Party’s youth wing, Jess Chua, was also present at Pink Dot 14.

In a Facebook post, Jess Chua wrote:

Thoroughly enjoyed today’s Pink Dot. I visited the community booths to understand their struggles better. Looking forward to more conversations to greater progress

Politicians who attended Pink Dot 2011

As stated at the outset, Henry Kwek is not the first politician to attend Pink Dot. That honour would go to Vincent Wijeysingha and Nicole Seah, candidates of the 2011 General Election who both attended Pink Dot in 2011.

Vincent Wijeysingha at Pink Dot 2011

Vincent Wijeysingha attended Pink Dot in 2011, not long after the smear campaign against him during the 2011 General Election on the “gay agenda”.

the day after Parliament was dissolved, the Straits Times reported Vivian's comments, saying SDP will eventually have to "come out of the closet" pic.twitter.com/EqaMzyXjFX

— 🍍 __ 🙀 (@sharanvkaur) June 19, 2022

At Pink Dot 2011, he held a sign which read “I am proud that Singaporean youth display this level of courage and commitment.

Dr Chee Soon Juan and his family were also present at Pink Dot 2011.

Vincent, in the eyes of many, was one of the most eloquent and intellectual candidates in the opposition. In August 2013, about a month after publicly declaring that he is gay, Vincent resigned from the SDP to focus on his work in civil society.

Nicole Seah at Pink Dot 2011

Nicole Seah, who was a member of the National Solidarity Party at the material time, was also spotted at Pink Dot in 2011.

In April 2011, amidst the smear campaign against Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, Nicole penned her views on Section 377A on Facebook:

A number of people have asked me about my stand on Penal Code 377A which criminalises homosexuality, because of the current situation with Vincent SDP.

 

My personal take on this is very clear. But it is not in line with many parties’ stances apart from SDP, because it is a touchy topic. Singaporeans should ask themselves this – Regardless of whether you are homophobic or otherwise, do you think it is right to say that these people have committed a crime, being who they are? Do you think that we need a law to cast a darker shadow over the way they live, in ADDITION to the current stigma that is already prevalent throughout society?

 

Many have argued that passing such a law will dilute the nuclear family unit. As I mentioned before, reality is not as simple as rhetoric. Item A will give you Item B in a mathematics formula, but reality is such that there are so many other factors at play.

 

Think about it.

 

So what is eroding the fabric of society? Is 377A even as big a problem as it is made out to be?

 

Single mums not being entitled to benefits that nuclear family units have, which may partially contribute to hindering their child’s upward mobility in comparison to kids who grow up with better resources. Low-income families, having to wait for 8 months before getting a rental flat in Dakota Crescent, because there is no space and flats originally set aside for low-income families are being leased out to foreigners at a $1500 profit. Exorbitant housing prices, which are deterring young couples from settling down. Bureaucratic red tape and demand outstripping supply that makes it frustrating for young couples to apply for a flat to settle down. I personally know of a couple who had to go through 7 rounds of rejection before getting a flat.

 

Whether you are a diehard supporter of the current Penal code, or if you buy into the argument that repealing this code will have a direct causal effect to erode the fabric of society, do take some time to think about what you have observed around you as a Singaporean over the past few years.

Kenneth Jeyaretnam and Roy Ngerng at Pink Dot 2015

Kenneth Jeyaretnam and Roy Ngerng of the Reform Party attended Pink Dot in 2015.

SDP’s position on LGBTQ+ Issues and Section 377A

In 2007, the Singapore Democratic Party took a clear position on Section 377A of the Penal Code. The then Party Chairman, Gandhi Ambalam, wrote:

In accordance with our party principles, the SDP supports the call to repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code.

As a nation, we must not only show tolerance but also acceptance of our fellow citizens regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or political persuasion. Discrimination of our fellow human beings has been one human frailty that has wreaked much destruction and misery.

We stand by our words and say unambiguously that Section 377A discriminates against a segment of our population and that discrimination, in whatever form, has no place in society. We therefore call on the PAP Government to repeal the law.

The SDP’s position on Section 377A has been unwavering throughout the years. In 2015, Dr Paul Tambyah reiterated SDP’s call for equality for all Singaporeans.

Despite sending one representative to Pink Dot, the PAP’s position on Section 377A and (more importantly) LGBTQ+ rights in housing, healthcare and media representation remains unclear.

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