Pink Dot to mark 10th year with more events; but rally organisers struggling to raise funds

SINGAPORE — As part of its 10th year anniversary, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) rally Pink Dot will be working with other partners to organise more activities this year. They include Pink Fest, a series of 20 community events organised by different parties in the lead up to the July 21 event.

The fringe events will include movie screenings, performances, literary events and even a walking tour in Chinatown with LGBT topics as a central theme.

While the festival will not be funded by Pink Dot, organisers of the annual rally said on Tuesday (May 22) that they are struggling to raise sufficient sponsorship funds for this year due to the weak economy and lack of publicity for the event.

With only 65 local corporate sponsors signed on to date, they are aiming to get more on board in order to meet their sponsorship target for this year.

Last year's event at Hong Lim Park drew a total of 120 sponsors and raised S$201,000 – exceeding their initial goal of S$150,000.

In November 2016, amendments were made to the Public Order Act (Unrestricted Area) which barred foreigners from participating in assemblies and processions at the Speakers' Corner. Sponsorship from foreign companies was also restricted.

On top of these changes, Pink Dot also added that the organisers faced higher event costs this year as Hong Lim Community Centre is currently undergoing renovation. The centre's stage was previously used for its events.

Pink Dot spokesperson Paerin Choa. Photo: Nuria Ling/TODAY

"The increase in cost this year comes from having to build a stage," said Pink Dot spokesperson Paerin Choa in a media conference on Tuesday (May 22).

The construction of the stage is estimated to cost at least a five-figure sum. Organisers also have to bear the cost of putting up barricades around the park, which was done for the first time last year.

While Pink Dot organisers did not reveal their fundraising target for this year, they said there is still "some way to go" to achieve the funds required to stage the annual rally on July 21.

Darius Cheung, CEO of 99.co, who has been a sponsor and supporter of Pink Dot, speaking at the launch event to kick off a Pink Dot 10. Photo: Nuria Ling/TODAY

A fundraising initiative was also launched last year by Mr Darius Cheung, the founder of property portal 99.co. Called Red Dot for Pink Dot, it is a website for local companies to sign up as Pink Dot sponsors.

While foreigners will not be able to attend the Pink Dot rally, they will be allowed to attend the fringe events at Pink Fest, said the organisers.