Tag: Hirzi

What Next After Pink Dot?

A Pink Dot flag-bearer observes the National Anthem at the annual event at Hong Lim Park on 13 June 2015 (Photo: Regina Goh)

As the dust of annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) awareness event Pink Dot settles from an estimated 28,000-strong turnout on Saturday, 13 June 2015, the LGBT community is taking concrete steps forward to engage more people from the varied facets of Singapore’s societal and political landscape.

Pink Dot appointed, this year, its first ever Malay ambassadors in its seven-year run – YouTube personalities Maimunah Bagharib and Hirzi Zulkiflie.

Pink Dot ambassador Hirzi Zulkifli in tears as he reads out his speech before the crowd at the recent Pink Dot event (Photo: Regina Goh)

In a show of emotion, Hirzi broke down into tears at multiple points in his speech before the Pink Dot crowd.

He said that the reason he and Maimunah decided to be ambassadors for the event this year was in response to his fans “showing signs of helplessness” after a recent meet-and-greet revealed their fears as LGBT youth.

“We cannot continue to pretend that LGBT individuals do not exist within our community just because we shut them out from our conversations,” said Hirzi, in response to youth telling him that they were depressed from a lack of avenues to address their concerns.

Hirzi gave the example of a young hijab-wearing girl who was worried about coming out as a lesbian – he hopes that his appointment as Pink Dot’s ambassador will set about a course of change in acceptance by the Malay/Muslim community.

“I really do hope that while we are the first brown ambassadors, that we are not the last either. We all have different ideas of what is right and what is wrong but we should all have the same senses for what is human,” said Hirzi.

Pink Dot efforts more than one-time event: organisers

Pink Dot spokesperson Paerin Choa (centre) with the event’s ambassadors for 2015 (Photo: Regina Goh)

Pink Dot spokesperson Paerin Choa noted that there had been advances in the treatment of the LGBT community, there have been several setbacks in the last year.

In a press conference, Choa said that a 35-second advertisement for this year’s Pink Dot that was planned to be run in cinemas was banned from theatres by the Media Development Authority (MDA).

The MDA had said that “it is not in the public interest to allow cinema halls to carry advertising on LGBT issues, whether they are advocating for the cause, or against the cause”, Choa shared.

However, Choa says steps are being taken to further societal inclusivity for LGBT people in Singapore. Although he declined to reveal specifics, he cited examples where certain Singapore government agencies had approached Pink Dot for opinions regarding LGBT issues.

Choa also noted the increasing corporate support surrounding the event. A record nine corporate sponsors came on board this year, including media heavyweights Twitter and Bloomberg. Local movie giant Cathay Organisation also became a sponsor.

Add the newly-created Pink Street – a selection of retail outlets along North Canal Road, which lines one side of Hong Lim Park, that support the event – to this.

Movement forward: inter-varsity support group launched

Five LGBT groups from four varsities in Singapore have come together to launch an inter-university LGBT network in Singapore (Photo: Inter-University LGBT Network, Singapore/Facebook)

Further to this, groups in the ‘Inter-University LGBT Network’ (Inter-Uni), which consists of five LGBT groups from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU) and the Yale-NUS College, plan to meet regularly and share resources.

Among the initiatives Inter-Uni has launched is an orientation week, with each university hosting its own LGBT orientation programme for students, staff and alumni. This would culminate in an inter-university mixer organised by all five LGBT groups where participants would get to know prospective and current students, staff and alumni from the other varsities.

There are plans for some groups to collaborate and offer regular workshops such as Gender & Sexuality 101 and Allyship 101, as well as a forum on creating more inclusive school communities. The forum is slated to take place in the next semester.

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com

June 23, 2015
Zulfikar Shariff: Jangan Permainkan Hukum Allah

Allah dah cakap jangan buat. Nak buat juga.

Dah berfirman bahawa mengikut kaum Lut salah.

Nak juga buat.

Nabi dah bersabda orang yang didapati meliwat akan dihukum. Dah sebut hukuman yang patut dijalankan.

Masih lagi nak buat.

Lepas tu cakap, Allah Maha pengampun. Jadi Allah akan ampunkan dosa meliwat.

Memang lah Allah pengampun. Tapi janganlah take for granted pula.

Dah tentu dah diarahkan jauhi. Nak buat juga, tak boleh lah nak guna alasan pengampunan.

Kalau pencuri tak berhenti-henti mencuri janganlah nak assume hakim akan ampunkan je.

Sambil dia mencuri sambil dia cakap hakim akan ampunkan.

Ni bukan assume Allah akan maafkan. Ni saja nak permainkan hukum Allah je.

Allah cakap jangan buat…nanti Allah murka. Dia buat juga.

Permainkan lah kalau berani sangat. Api tu panas.

Source: Zulfikar Shariff

June 13, 2015
Munah, Hirzi, ShiGGa Shay, Inch Chua And Daren Tan Among Acts Lined Up For Pink Dot Concert 2015

Held in conjunction with the annual Pink Dot rally, the Pink Dot Concert 2015 is set to bring Hong Lim Park to life with an exhilarating line-up of some of Singapore’s hottest local talents.

Performers include YouTube sensations Munah and Hirzi, Project Superstar winner Daren Tan, singer-songwriters Inch Chua and Gentle Bones, hip-hop artist ShiGGa Shay as well as dance group Plus Point.

Starting at 6:30pm on Saturday, 13th June, the Pink Dot Concert 2015 will conclude as participants come together in a sea of shimmering pink lights to form the iconic Pink Dot; a symbol of support for the freedom to love. Please remember to wear pink-coloured clothing!

According to regulations governing Speakers’ Corner, only Singaporeans and Permanent Residents may participate in events held at Hong Lim Park. However, foreigners are most welcome to watch and observe the concert as well as the formation of Pink Dot 2015.

Support the #FreedomToLove with Pink Dot SG: YouTube| Facebook | Instagram & Twitter: @PinkDotSg | Website | Social Media Campaign

Hashtags: #PinkDotSg #FreedomToLove #WhereLoveLivesSg

Source: http://popspoken.com

June 3, 2015
Efforts Of Pink Dot Ambassadors Should Be Lauded, Not Condemned

I refer to the report “Varsity students to launch independent LGBT network” (May 8), in which the ambassadors for this year’s Pink Dot event were announced.

Some activists and individuals from certain religious communities have since reacted harshly, to the extent of attacking the ambassadors’ personal character, calling them heretics and questioning their religious values.

The outburst and name-calling are uncalled for. While religion plays a role in shaping the public’s opinion on morality issues, it should not be the only determinant.

This is especially important in Singapore’s context of a secular and diverse society, where the views of all faiths and belief systems should be given fair consideration, even if some of these are in the minority.

For comparison, a Muslim lawmaker in Australia, Mr Ed Husic, recently supported the legislation of same-sex marriages in the country, despite his religious convictions, because he understands the importance of the issue to the lives of some.

The Pink Dot ambassadors speak on behalf of LGBT people and their families, transcending race, religion and social class. It is a brave effort that should be lauded, not condemned.

It is important to not let religious-driven emotions cloud our judgment when it comes to contentious issues such as this. Otherwise, we will not be able to have discussions in a mature and civil manner.

*This article was written by Hairol Salim and first appeared on Voices, Today, on 13 May 2015.

Source: http://www.todayonline.com/

May 14, 2015
Anti-LGBT Camp Has Moral High Ground, Engage WIth Compassion And Civility

It is that time of the year when the activists from the sodomite camp start their provocation.

We must, like always, stand up like civilised humans and do not degrade ourselves (in conduct and words) to their level.

The activists wants a reaction. They want us to lose our sanity. They want us to veer away from the path of light and guidance. They want us to be like them.

Do not give them that pleasure. Do not listen to the devil’s whisper.

We call people to goodness. We call people back to the path that leads to God. We call people back to what is pure.

When there are calls to evil, we should help those mesmerised by the call to get clarity and come back.

If we act like the activists from the sodomite camp, how can we give clarity?

Hence we must not be militant. We must not be aggressive to them. We must not be confrontational.

I know the word “confrontational” has been vastly misused by some in the last year. Those who used that word last year themselves do not know whats truly is happening on the ground hence the not so intelligent remarks.

We must not be confrontational to “fight” them but we must be forthright and CLEAR to tell them NICELY and in a CIVILISED manner that what they do is WRONG.

We are holding the moral high ground. Good can never be extinguished by evil unless we let them by being evil like them.

So:

1) Engage and spread the awareness but in the best of speeches and methods.
2) Do not judge them. Most of them do not know that they have been mislead. They need clarity to get out of it. Last year many did leave.
3) Continue to help those who sincerely needs help.
4) Hate the sin but not the person. We want the best for everyone around us. We want the society to prosper. The best way is to be inclusive and help them get out of the trance/misguidance they are in.
5) We need to love them and hate their sin. Slowly and surely when they know we truly care (and we have shown that) then they will come back and leave the sinful lifestyle.
6) Do not keep quiet. We discuss and share and remind not because we want to win individually but because we care for the society and our children’s future.

Let’s be nice. Let’s be civil. Let’s help those who need sincerely.

Azman Ivan Tan

Source: We are against Pinkdot in Singapore

May 11, 2015