Images from temples in Northern Thailand

Some pictures from my recent backpack trip in Northern Thailand. These are mainly from Nan and Lampang.

Pink Dot 2011

This year's pink dot is so big that it is not a dot! From the arial view, it looked like the whole Hong Lim Park was a patch of pink!



I was there at 4pm as part of the Pelangi Pride Centre group. There were already quite a buzz with many people having set up mats and having a picnic. The signs were there that it would be much bigger than previous years, and it was.

I was there at the first one three years ago. Although I was not part of the organizing committee, I knew it only came through after much hard work of those who worked behind the scene. It was postponed many times and at some time, almost fell through.

There was much anxiety then. People weren't sure what will exactly happen. Would the police give trouble? Would the religious groups protest? But in spite of it all, the event was attended by more than 2000 people, and went through without any issues.

As one of those in that dot, it felt like I was witnessing a important moment in the LGBT movement in Singapore and I was part of the historical movement. I knew things were not change over night. But it was the start of something important.

At the first pink dot, many people were still cautious and afraid. There were many people who would only loiter around the edge of the park and looked on. Many did not dare to wear pink.

But they would eventually join the dot.

This year, I saw so many new faces. So many were there for the first time. There were still many on-lookers, many who would only loiter by the side. But mostly, it was like a party in the park. People who about happily, confident with no sign of anxiety.

After the event, I did saw someone changing out of his pink outfit in the toilet. Still, the fact that he participated in the event, was probably an important journey for him.

I suspected this year, the Pink Dot benefited some what from the spill over effects of the May General Election. Boo Junfeng's very well made video also helped to generate quite a bit of publicity. Furthermore, mainstream newspaper like Straits Time even reported mentioned it about it, and Google Singapore sponsored the event as well.

I must say we have come quite a long way in the three years.

And I hope in years to come, this would have build the bridge towards the rest of the society and help build a more inclusive and accepting society.

Thank you to the Pink Dot organizers who made this happen!



And yes, I spotted Nichole Seah and Vincent Wijeysingha in the event! I can't resist getting a photo with them! I must confess I was quite a big fan of both of these politicians during the last election!