Global voices

Voices, opinions and ideas from around the world can all be heard at Global Citizen (http://www.globalcitizen.org/)! I've been reading articles at this website for the past few days now and there was this one article that really stood out to me. It really got me thinking about what it would be like if this had happened in Singapore and so on. Hence, I've decided to pen in my thoughts on the article down here on my blog!

                                                     Background Information

The Rainbow Pride Flag
I came across this article on The Colourful History of the Rainbow Pride Flag. Like what the titles says, it talks about the history of how the Rainbow Pride Flag became a symbol for the LGBT community (LGBT community is also referred to the gay community). It talked about this guy, Gilbert Baker, who had taught himself how to sew in order to dress himself like David Bowie gaining the attention of many of his activist friends and the LGBT community in 1970.
The activists and LGBT community would often call Gilbert to help create banners for a march or rally because of his sewing talents. One day, he decided to create a symbol for the LGBT community as it was a sad sight to see their old symbol used to mark something depressing. He claimed that the idea of using the rainbow came naturally as it connected them to nature, to all the colours of sexuality. Each colour of the rainbow on the flag symbolises and means something. The red, symbolises life, pink for sex, orange for healing, yellow for sun, green for nature, blue for peace and magic, and lastly purple for spirit.


Everybody then started recognizing the LGBT community by their Rainbow Pride Flag. With them together and raising their flag high, they were changing the world and the planet, from a place of hate and violence and war to a place filled with love, diversity and acceptance. The flag is able to be recreated all over the world to be used to represent gay pride. In certain regions of Russia, Uganda and 72 countries where gay marriage is illegal fight for equal rights, the flag is used to spread hope.
(Idea taken from Meghan Werft, Global Citizens, 2017)

This article really spoke to me as it really reminded me of the homosexual community in Singapore. The rainbow flag is represents them as it also brings them hope that one day same-sex marriage will be legal in Singapore.

                                                               Views

Pink Dot Event in Singapore
In singapore, same-sex marriage is not recognised as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong does not think believes that the society is still conservative although it is changing gradually. (Taken from Wong Siew Ying, Straits Times, 2015) However, this cannot be seen as during the gay pride celebration in Singapore, many hetreosexual people came to support as well. (As from Scarlett Russell, Daily Mail, 2014) The Pink Dot <https://www.facebook.com/pinkdotsg/> event even drawed 120 local sponsors. (As from Kok Xing Hui, Straits Times, 2017)

The Pink Dot event has brought harmony and togetherness amongst Singaporeans as it made Singaporeans more supportive of one another. Singaporeans have come together to support the Pink Dot event and one another. I feel that this Pink Dot event does not only bring hope to the homosexuals in Singapore but also unites Singaporeans as well. With that one flag, it has brought many communities together which makes a more strong and unified nation.


Citations
Kok Xing Hui. (2017). Pink Dot draws 120 local sponsors. Available: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/pink-dot-draws-120-local-sponsors. Last accessed 25 June 2017.

 Meghan Werft. (2017). The Colorful History of the Rainbow Pride Flag.Available: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/the-colorful-history-of-the-rainbow-pride-flag/. Last accessed 25 June 2017.

 Scarlett Russell. (2014). Pink and proud! 26,000 revellers celebrate gay pride in Singapore where homosexual acts are still officially illegal Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2674860/Pink-proud-26-000-rev. Available: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2674860/Pink-proud-26-000-revellers-celebrate-gay-pride-Singapore-homosexual-acts-officially-illegal.html. Last accessed 25 June 2017.

 Wong Siew Ying. (2015). Singapore not ready for same-sex marriage as society is still conservative: PM Lee. Available: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-not-ready-for-same-sex-marriage-as-society-is-still-conservative-pm-lee. Last accessed 25 June 2017.

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