Pink Dot 2014 – I too support the freedom to love

I’ve never been to Pink Dot for the very simple reason that every year it clashed with my most important work commitments and I couldn’t find the time to attend. This year, I am here in Las Vegas, miles and miles away. It doesn’t mean that by not being at the event in Hong Lim Park, I don’t feel for the cause. It doesn’t make it any less important to me. My Facebook, Twitter and Instagram timelines were flooded with pictures of people dressed in Pink. I’m very heartened that so many of my friends consider it important to support the freedom to love.

I may be happily married in a monogamous heterosexual relationship where both parties are cisgendered but that doesn’t mean anything other than us being born this way and our preference to live this way. It does not destroy us in any way if anyone in our family or social groups should choose to lead their lives however they deem makes them happiest. It doesn’t change our opinions of them as people (unless you’re a jerk to begin with and that has nothing to do with anything else except your attitude.) Even though many of my LGBT friends are happily attached or married, I hope that some day they can ALL be out in the open so their families can celebrate their union regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identification, as T and I have been privileged to enjoy.

Weeks leading up to Pink Dot 2014, there were reports of large groups of unhappy people in Singapore – specifically 2 religious factions, protesting the staging of the event. They believe that homosexuality will tear the fabric of society and ruin what is deemed the “traditional” family. There are obviously bigger issues tearing families apart but people choose to believe what they believe and when when they refuse to be educated… well, controversy happens, right?

Pink Dot 2014 almost didn’t happen. But it did. AND HOORAY for the 26,000 people who were there in attendance!!! Singapore is moving forward, let’s continue breaking the record. 21, 000 in 2013, 26, 000 in 2014, and even more in 2015! Maybe by 2050, Pink Dot will no longer be necessary. I don’t believe in gay rights. I believe that everyone should just have the right to love whoever they choose. That is all.