8 May 2017

Pink Dot Singapore Smashes Fundraising Target

Singapore’s premier LGBT rally raises US$143,500 from local sponsors after govt bans support from foreign companies.

Pink Dot Singapore has surpassed its funding target and raised  SG$201,000 (US$143,500) in sponsorship from 103 local firms in just six weeks, according to the Straits Times.

Its fundraising campaign, Red Dot for Pink Dot, was launched on March 26.

Previously Pink Dot, now in its ninth year, relied mostly support from multinational firms such as Google, Twitter, Facebook, Barclays and Goldman Sachs.

But in October last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs stressed that only local entities can sponsor, promote or get its employees to participate in events at Singapore’s Speakers' Corner.

Pink Dot spokesman Paerin Choa told the Straits Times: ”It really does show that Singaporean companies are more than ready and willing to put their money where their hearts lie, towards building an inclusive and diverse Singapore for all."

Pink Dot will be on July 1 at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim park this year and the fundraising campaign continues until the end of May.