Singapore Lesbian Resources and Travel Tips by Utopia

SINGAPORE -- area code (65)

Advisory: Singapore is politically conflicted about the natural desires of its citizens, straight and gay. While sporting one of Asia's most vibrant and fun gay scenes and a huge Wikipedia entry on Singapore Gay History, homosexual activity remains illegal in Singapore along with oral sex, meaning that most sexually active Singaporeans, gay or not, are urban outlaws. Vestiges of antique British sodomy laws remain in force despite sloganeering for "Asian values", a weak disguise for conservative religion-based discrimination against sexual minorities (although Christians and fundamentalists are a minority in Singapore society, they hold half of the civil service jobs). Outrageously, while banning gay and lesbian self-help groups, in 2006 government officials awarded a large grant of public money to a homophobic Christian group that tries to turn gays straight. Fundamentalist religious groups are paid to teach lop-sided human sexuality courses in public schools. Hotel rooms and private clubs are considered public places under law.

Singapore's first public GLBT pride festival, Indignation, took place during the month of Aug in 2005. The arts, especially theater, have been openly exploring the subject of homosexuality since the 1990s. Police harassment and entrapment of gays has nearly vanished following Lee Kuan Yew's unexpected 1998 CNN statement that "what we are doing as a government is to leave people to live their own lives so long as they don't impinge on other people. I mean, we don't harass anybody." Most gay business owners have taken these words to heart and the scene has quickly become more open, diverse, and world-class.

Singapore has a lingering PR problem from its years of threatening gay citizens with the rotten rattan of its buggery-obsessed former colonial masters. Let’s lay that nonsense to rest: these days you won't be arrested for sharing a bed with your lover or chewing gum with that gorgeous salesgirl you just chatted up at Starbucks. You don't need to withhold your pink dollars in a vote against the dinosaur technocrats because pink dollars are fueling a renaissance of lesbian-owned and managed businesses across the island. The tourist area of Chinatown already has several dozen rainbow venues filling up heritage buildings and attracting a steady flow of local clientele and in-the-know regional visitors.

What will you get in place of homophobia and newspaper exposes? Southeast Asia's best cuisines collected together in one place, safe and clean multi-ethnic neighborhoods ripe for exploring, shopping malls up the wazoo, cheap world-class hotels, sport-spa-and-health legal highs, and rollicking nightlife.

Don't assume that Singaporeans are backward. Global access to information and the rapid economic advancement of this small island nation have created a mobile and progressive generation of educated, fit, English-speaking women of diverse cultural backgrounds. The art of conversation is alive and well here and you will make fast friends who won't be afraid to challenge your thinking with their own opinions. Green, modern and organized, The Lion City is also a haven for well-to-do expats.

Officials stopped harassing gay venues at the end of the last century. The government has been officially hiring open homosexuals into the civil service for years now and gay and lesbian talents are sought after in the work force as the country strives to maintain its Asian "tiger" status through increased diversity. This new pragmatism seems set to continue.

The population of Singapore is over 4.5 million people, which means that more than 180,000 Utopians live on this island along with an even larger number of self-professed metrosexual bi gals who also participate in the local lesbian scene.

RedQuEEn!

A general and social mailing list, RedQuEEn! is oldest email discussion list for queer women living in Singapore. Since 1998, the list has grown to more than 1200 subscribers. It is intended as a fun, friendly, and supportive list and includes everything from humor to serious discussion.

Sayoni

A forum and publishing platform for Asian queer women based in Singapore. Its main aim is to promote vibrancy within the community and to educate by informing the public with news and information of interest to lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women.

Singapore Gay & Lesbian News

Singapore Lesbian Scene Updates message forum

Travel in Singapore message forum

Women in Singapore message forum

Additional Links and Resources

The updated and expanded 2nd Edition of the Utopia Guide to Singapore surveys the gay and lesbian scene in the Lion City. Listings include a gay scene map, organizations, bars, discos, spas, accommodations, restaurants, and more. A special section highlights venues that are especially welcoming for women. Click here to order

ADLUS (Adventurers Like US) is a group for GLBT (gay, lesbian, bi and transgender) people who enjoy outdoor sports and adventurous activities, nature walks and conservation.

AIDS/HIV organizations and information

Indignation

Nation

indig

Comments from Utopians:

"The monthly Women's Nite was started in Dec, 2003. The aim of the event is to provide a non-threatening, non-sexualised space for queer women to gather and discuss the issues they encounter in their lives. Theme topics have included coming out, legal rights, and sexual and emotional health. For more information about the monthly Women's Nite, please email us." -- Eileena, May 17, 2006