Singapore’s annual Pink Dot celebration will return to Hong Lim Park on Saturday, 27 June.
The event traditionally involves people gathering for a nighttime celebration and shining torches covered with pink cellophane into the sky to show support for the LGBTIQA+ communities. The colour pink was chosen because it is created when you mix the red and white of the Singaporean flag.
For many years, the event called for Singapore to decriminalise homosexuality. That goal was achieved in 2022, and the event now focuses on ensuring LGBTIQA+ people and their families can lead full lives in the island nation.
Pink Dot was originally created to draw attention to the lack of law reform in Singapore, where colonial-era British laws meant homosexuality was still illegal.
In 2022, after decades of campaigning, the government finally removed the laws, while at the same time introducing new legislation to prevent the progress of marriage equality.
While decriminalisation has progressed, the local LGBTIQA+ community continues to highlight ways the lives of Singaporeans can be improved.
Strict rules on protests in Singapore
Protests are only allowed in Singapore under strict regulations. Speaker’s Corner in Hong Lim Park is the only space where speaking against the government is permitted. Over the years, the Pink Dot movement has led the way in showing what a peaceful protest can achieve, but it has faced increasing pressure from authorities as its popularity grew.
Originally, the event was held in the evening, with participants shining pink-coloured torches into the night sky to create the “pink dot”. In recent years, authorities have clamped down on the event, allowing it to be held only during daylight hours, banning non‑Singaporean citizens from attending, and preventing multinational companies from sponsoring the event.
Organisers also faced huge fines if any of the strict rules were broken. Undeterred, Pink Dot Singapore continued to find innovative ways to spread their message.
In 2023, they were once again allowed to hold the event in the evening and shine torches into the night sky.
Evolving messages over the years
Over the years, many different messages have been highlighted by the Pink Dot celebration. “Family”, “Ready”, and “Love” have been featured, as well as calls to repeal 377A — the statute that made homosexual activity illegal.
This year’s Pink Dot will be the event’s 18th annual outing. The theme for the 2026 celebration will be announced soon.
