Fridae

Singapore celebrates its second GLBT Pride Season from August 1-26. Fridae columnist and co-organiser of the festival Alex Au is happy for straight Singaporeans to lend their support and his retort to a gay person who thought it was a bad idea to hold a Pride Season.

A Singapore newspaper suspended one of its regular columnists after his column about the deteriorating state of the local economy drew a sharp rebuttal from a government spokesperson. Gay activist Alex Au notes a pattern of lip service offered by officials, and that the gay community might find allies among other non-gay Singaporeans.

A trainee doctor in Singapore received an 8-month prison term for possessing drugs. The case made the headlines as his counsel argued that he had been a victim of police entrapment. Alex Au examines what some confused bloggers are saying online, whether Singaporeans are intellectually stunted and what it all means for the fight for gay equality.

From the removal of two "gay" mannequins with "enlarged breasts" from a Boston's store's window display to the Singapore "debate" about gay people, Alex Au ponders whether eschewing confrontation gives rise to homophobia.

For many gays and lesbians, public displays of affection is much more than a spontaneous gesture straight couples typically take for granted. While some might think that PDA among same-sex couples might endanger the gay cause by subjecting the public to "gay behaviour," Alex Au argues that it might actually "create a dewdrop of good" in today's climate of militant homophobia.

Civil and gay activist Alex Au, who is recognised as one of Singapore's best independent electoral campaign rally reporters by fellow bloggers, analyses the various parties' manifestos and their commitment (or lack thereof) to equal rights for gays and lesbians.

Singapore has just released data of new HIV infection rates in 2005. Homosexual transmission accounted for 25 per cent of the new infections, a marginal increase of two per cent from 2004. Alex Au has more.

As Singapore is gearing up for a general election, several new candidates were queried on their stance on homosexuality, the ban on gay events and if the country is ready for a gay MP.

Various governments have conveniently cited Asian values and the majority's rejection of gays and lesbians as being reasons for denial of equal rights. Alex Au asserts that fair treatment of sexual minorities is a right, and not just when the heterosexual majority is ready.

Alex Au asks if The New Paper was being irresponsibly homophobic in its exclusive coverage of a raid on a gay drug syndicate.