Singapore’s Pink Dot Pride cancelled for the first time in its 12 year history, will be livestreamed instead
Thousands of people spell out the word “Love” in lights at Singapore’s annual Pink Dot rally in 2015. (FYROL/AFP/Getty)
Singapore’s epic Pink Dot Pride rally has been cancelled and replaced with a livestream as the coronavirus sweeps across the globe.
The huge event usually attracts thousands of spectators to Singapore’s Hong Lim Park, but for the first time in its 12-year history the rally will not take place.
Instead, organisers will run a livestream online on June 27 and encourage supporters of Pink Dot to “light up” their homes and workplaces in pink to mark the event.
In a Facebook post the organisers said: “The health and safety of our community and all Singaporeans are our foremost priority. As such, for the first time in our 12-year history, Pink Dot will not take place physically at Hong Lim Park.
“Your pink lights will be a powerful display of love and solidarity for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) people in Singapore. They will also serve as a reminder that support for LGBTQ rights and the Freedom to Love must persevere even as we are unable to gather at Hong Lim Park.”
“We hope that the spirit of Pink Dot 12 will continue to shine through from our homes, our workplaces and our hearts,” they added.
Viewers can also tune in to a special programme at 6.30pm on June 27, with a line-up that will include performances and “interactive discussions”. The details of the programme will be released at a later date.
As of Monday, Singapore has reported a total of 234 coronavirus cases. Pink Dot’s announcement comes after the country’s coronavirus taskforce announced that all ticketed cultural, sports and entertainment events with more than 250 participants are to be deferred or cancelled.
Pride festivals across the world are facing “inevitable” cancellation, curtailment or postponement amid the pandemic.
Los Angeles Pride, Trans Pride Scotland, Dublin Pride, Pride of the Americas and Bucharest Pride are among those that have been cancelled or delayed so far.
