Singapore

A rainbow kite flying event to celebrate gender and sexual diversities, an evening of storytelling and discussion, and actions by the staff of Credit Suisse marked the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia 2014 in Singapore

Kite Flying for Harmony

‘Kite Flying for Harmony 2014′ made for a wonderful and colourful start to the IDAHOT commemorations in Singapore this year. The event took place in Marina Barrage on Saturday, May 17 from 2.30pm to 6.30pm. The organisers, Move Community, explained that the kite flying day was organised to help foster social harmony, friendship and healthy living among LGBTI allies & communities in the country. Under the slogan “Flying Rainbow, Connecting Lives”  participants designed and made their kits, and wrote their ‘harmony statements’ on their kites, with guidance and support from Singapore Kite Association (SKA).

“Flying Rainbow, Connecting Lives” – community activists fly rainbow kites for IDAHOT 2014 in Singapore

Community Book Reading

Later on in the Day, at 7.30PM, at Books Actually, LGBTI communities and allies gathered together for another IDAHOT event – readings of “I will Survive Homophobia” and “Calling It Out – Singapore”, which were organized by Oogachaga.

“I will Survive Homophobia” is a collection of stories that brings together real-life experiences of love, grace, faith, dignity and courage from 21 ordinary gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Singapore who have survived extraordinary circumstances.  Calling it Out, on the other hand, is a campaign against homophobic bullying in schools.

The director of Oogachaga, Leow Yangfa, also honored the Day by expressing his view on homophobia and transphobia through an op-ed that was published by Yahoo Singapore on May 17.

Credit Suisse

The staff of Credit Suisse Singapore also joined the IDAHOT 2014 commemorations, with a series of internal events focused on LGBTI rights around the world and on the 2014 global focus on Freedom of Expression.