SQ21 luvs Kino...
... and Kino luvs SQ21.
A big thank you to everyone who came out for our Kino book signing - including the families with children who scuttled by cautiously during our hour-long presentation. I know some of you were only in there to escape from the haze, but your presence was truly important.
The project of SQ21 is to represent the gay community in public spaces that aren't already demarcated as gay-friendly (eg. a bar or club) - to truly engage in outreach. It looks like we're succeeding there - Hoon Eng and Dominic worked together to create a box where people could drop leaflets, pledging to fight against unjust discrimination based on gender, race, religion and sexual orientation.
Afterwards we took a few photographs for the upcoming SAFE website to show straight friends and families (and Kino workers) together supporting gay people. (I know it's a bit kua zhang, like we're talking about Palestinians and Israelis, but simple gestures like that are a real comfort for people who're still struggling to come out of the closet.)
In the meantime, more photos are up on Queercast, which is SQ21 participant Nicholas Deroose's gay-oriented podcast. Go hear him talk, y'all.
posted by Ng Yi-Sheng @ 1:16 AM
2 Comments:
At 4:43 PM,
Nicholas & Ian said…
>From: "Patrick Lee" asimplelife@pacific.net.sg
>Reply-To: signel@yahoogroups.com
>To: "Signel" signel@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [SiGNeL] Coming Out = Accidental Hero = Over-rated
>Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2006 23:21:15 +0800
>
>The recent publishing of SQ21 seem to make "coming out" an act that was just born yesterday. The book also seemed to make those who shared their stories as brave heroes.
>
>But is this true?
>
>I tend to disagree.
>
>A book such as SQ21 is often read only by people who are interested in reading or only reading specifically on the subject of homosexuality.
>
>Contrast this with people who out themselves everyday of their lives to everyone they meet. This is a real dynamic interaction with society; which a book cannot be compared to this. Those who out themselves everyday are the real brave heroes because they are unafraid of rejection by their immediate circle of influence. When you out yourselves in a book; you are reaching out to people unrelated to you nor have any influence in your lives.
>
>There has been generations of gays who outed themselves in their own times and era; by their distinctive effeminate mannerisms or dressing style which resulted them in being given derogatory names. Had the printing of a book been as easy then as it is now; I am sure it would have been done.
>
>But coming out need not be put into print for it to have an impact in society.
>
>Some gays like myself, need not tell people that we are gay but looking at our physical appearances most people would instantly recognize us as gays including out dearest mothers.
>
>There are 3 levels of coming out ie to family, friends and colleagues.
>
>Coming out to friends is real easy becos at worst you lose a friend.
>
>Coming out to colleagues/employers is a little more difficult becos you worry about the security of your job; but this has proven to be an ungrounded fear.
>
>Coming out to family especially mum and dad is the most difficult because out of filial piety you would not want to break their hearts.
>
>I used to make an issue of telling everyone that I am gay until 2 years ago; when I realized my sexuality is a personal and private matter. I dun need to annouce to people that I am gay; jus like straight guys never need to tell people they are heterosexual. I am less flamboyant in my dressing and less effeminate in my mannerism; in other words I have become straight acting. But still there are some straight people who could tell that I am gay, and so be it if they know and if they do not know then I will not be telling them.
>
>On the other hand, I think when celebrity out themselves that it has very positive influence on mainstream society. I applaud famous singers like Boy George, Elton John and George Michael and Freddie Mercury.
>
>Regards,
>Patrick
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
At 10:44 AM,
Eirin AI said…
how was the book launch? unfortunately, i was working on that day, so had no chance to go... really hope it was great and i believe it was really wonderful.
regarding the comment by patrick, i think it is very true. that's y, for myself, i prefer to let ppl know who i am as a person, my characteristic, my strength and weaknesses. it's like i also dun tell ppl i am of which chinese dialect, or which school i came from, or whether i am right handed.
however keeping our sexuality private does not mean i am not proud to be gay. i think being gay is a part of my identity too. it is my life, something which make up myself. being gay, or tall, or short, or anything else is a wonderful showcase of the diversity of this world. so i will still use my identity to reach out to more people, bcos, it is uniquely me. :)
currently, i live my life as per normal. being myself, being who i have been for the past 20 over years. i will not do anything to be different. some people do suspect me to be gay too, but i dun really care. as long as i fulfill my mission in this society, whatever people see in me should not be an obstacle.
so,let us be confident, be assured of our identity. be ourselves. that's how a true human being must be. respect ourselves, and we will gain the respect from others. :)
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