Fridae

Thousands of people attended Singapore’s LGBT rally, Pink Dot, on Saturday at Speakers' Corner in downtown’s Hong Lim Park.

Attendees, restricted to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents by the government, emblazoned across a sea of pink lights the words “We Are Ready.”

“We mark our tenth edition with hope and optimism for the future, but are also mindful that plenty more still remains to be done for Singapore to fully embrace the tenets of inclusion, diversity and equality,” said Paerin Choa, Pink Dot SG spokesperson. “As we celebrate this milestone, witnessing Speaker’s Corner awash in pink, let us remember that, just as we’ve been forced to erect barriers that separate us from friends and family members here, the LGBTQ community are likewise still restricted by discriminating laws and social prejudice.

This year's Pink Dot was supported by 113 local sponsors through the Red Dot for Pink Dot initiative after international entities were barred from supporting the event in 2016.

"I am a pioneer so I am supporting a lot of my young friends for equal rights ... It's only good that everybody can live in harmony regardless of whatever gender they are or whatever they choose to be," Mr Kwok, who has attended every Pink Dot event since 2009, told Channel News Asia.

"It's a free world now. No more of traditional or conservative kind of world where I lived in. That's the direction the future should go," he added.

"To the members of the LGBTQ community and straight allies who turned up to be counted – from the bottom of our hearts, a big thank you,” said Choa.

“To Singapore, as we march onward to the future, and as we celebrate National Day in a few weeks, we ask that you join hands with us, in love and compassion, to build a Singapore we can all truly call home. We Are Ready for this.”