News and Opinions

Sayoni at IndigNation 2013

Written by sayoni on . Posted in Announcements


As part of IndigNation 2013, Sayoni will be hosting two events. "Same-Sex Parenting: Raising New Standards" features a special afternoon with queer parents, while "Southeast Gaysia!" casts the spotlight on the little-known revolution happening in Asia.

We will also mark the launch of our new campaign, "Come Out Come Home", a movement to support all queer/LGBTIQ persons who wish to come out or be more out, and which celebrates and supports the allies who enable their LGBTIQ family, friends and colleagues to come out.

Here's the latest schedule. More info - and event links - can be found on the IndigNation Facebook page.


SATURDAY 3 AUG // 5PM
IndigNation 2013 Opening - Faith in the Future

SUNDAY 4 AUG // 2-6PM
Same-sex Parenting: Raising New Standards

FRIDAY 9 AUG // 5PM till late
Pink Picnic

SATURDAY 10 AUG // 8PM
I Will Survive with Music

THURSDAY 15 AUG // 8PM
Gaylien Invasion: A Night of LGBT Science Fiction

SUNDAY 18 AUG // 2-6PM
Be With Me: An OC Women workshop for women who love women

FRIDAY 23 AUG // 8PM
Akka (அக்கா): a reading of Singapore’s first queer Tamil play

SUNDAY 25 AUG // 3PM
Transcending Gender

SATURDAY 31 AUG // 4PM
Southeast Gaysia!

SATURDAY 31 AUG // 7:30PM
ContraDiction: an evening of LGBT literature


ABOUT INDIGNATION
IndigNation, an annual showcase of the Singapore LGBT community’s diversity, is now in its 9th edition.

Over the last eight years, IndigNation has showcased many facets of Singapore's LGBT community. From talks to film screenings, art exhibitions to illicit mass runs and flash mob picnics, Singapore’s homegrown Pride season has celebrated the visible and not-so-visible aspects of our country’s sexual minorities.

This year, our theme is "Faith in the Future", looking ahead to what possibilities there are for the LGBT community - not just about LGBT rights, but how we envision our future as LGBT people in Singapore.

Come and dream and hope together - because the only future we can have is the one we dare to dream of.


Participants Wanted for Sayoni's Youth Focus Group

Written by sayoni on . Posted in Announcements

participants-wanted-for-focus-group

 

Following on our first successful session, Sayoni is hosting a 3-hour group discussion to understand queer/LGBTQ youth experiences in the family environment. The information collected will not be identifiable.

If you are of an age below 18 and would like to participate, please register here.

Your participation will inform future advocacy by Sayoni.



Be a Sayoni Volunteer

Written by sayoni on . Posted in Announcements

volunteer_with_sayoni

 

Do you like doing your part for a meaningful cause? Do you feel that you have something to give to the community? Would you like the chance to grow through valuable working experiences? Would you like to make a difference to someone's life — someone like you?

Sayoni is actively seeking volunteers to contribute to our growing needs. A wide range of opportunities are available, covering skills as diverse as copywriting, event organisation and academic research. You may volunteer for a one-off/short-term project or for a longer effort.

Whether you are a seasoned volunteer or completely new to volunteerism, we welcome you to apply with us and have a conversation.

Examples of our past and ongoing projects include:

National LGBT Census 2013

Written by sayoni on . Posted in Announcements

national-lgbt-census-2013


If you identify as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer), you are invited to participate in the first ever NATIONAL LGBT CENSUS 2013 SINGAPORE, jointly supported by Sayoni, PinkDot and Oogachaga.

Your responses (all anonymous) are important in helping us understand our community’s health, housing, education, employment and family needs.

Apart from being a useful resource for local LGBT-affirmative NGOs to plan for the community, the findings will generate greater awareness to improve the day-to-day experiences of LGBT people amongst both public and private institutions in Singapore.

The census has 54 questions and should take about 30 minutes of your time.

Thank you for taking time to contribute to the understanding of our community!

 

More info

The National LGBT Census is a collaborative effort between Pink Dot Sg, Sayoni, and Oogachaga -- three lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) affirmative non-profit volunteer groups in Singapore. With a common goal to understand the everyday experiences of LGBTQ people in Singapore, this census covers a range of issues, from family-life to friendships, school and work experiences to thoughts on citizenship. Heterosexual individuals are welcome to participate in the study as well.

Pink Dot Sg is a social movement that champions the freedom to love, regardless of sexual orientation, through an annual gathering and campaign. Sayoni is a community of queer women, including lesbian, bisexual and transgender women, that organises and advocates for equality in well-being and dignity, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Oogachaga is a counselling and personal development organisation for LGBTQ individuals and groups.

Links

ASEAN SOGI Caucus: We are ASEAN

Written by sayoni on . Posted in Announcements

We, the ASEAN SOGI Caucus[i] are deeply outraged and concerned by the decision of the National Organizing Committee (NOC) of Brunei Darussalam's to restrict discussions and limit civil society spaces at the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ ASEAN People’s Forum 2013 (ASCS/APF) for selective groups of people whose opinions and views are not aligned with the state's views, namely sexual orientation and gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE), sex work, sexual and reproductive health rights.

 

We are disappointed that even in spaces that are meant to foster and uphold democracy and human rights principles by and for civil society organizations, specific sectors of society are being discriminated against and are restricted.

 

People of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity as well as sex workers and advocates of sexual and reproductive rights are banned and given conditions from organizing educational workshops that promote understanding and address the human rights violations that we are subjected to because of our identity and orientation.

 

We strongly believe that the invisible hand of the state in policing civil society spaces is highly unacceptable, and if such policing continues the ASCS/APF will no longer be a relevant space for civil society. We strongly urge the ACSC/APF to immediately address and correct this matter.

 

We are at the stage in our struggle for equality and respect that we will not accept discrimination, abuse and violence or state sanction as a part of our existence by the denial of our rights and our humanity.

It is in this spirit of pride and dignity that we are reclaiming our rightful space in our respective countries and in our region, and we demand our governments to:

1.Immediately repeal laws that directly and indirectly criminalize SOGI, recognizes LGBTIQ rights as human rights, and harmonizes national laws, policies and practices with the Yogyakarta Principles.

 

2.Establish national level mechanisms and review existing regional human rights instruments (e.g. AICHR, ACWC) to include the promotion and protection of the equal rights of all people regardless of SOGI with the active engagement of the LGBTIQ community.

 

3.Depathologize SOGI and promote psychological well being of people of Diverse SOGI in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, and ensure equal access to health and social services.

 

We urge the ACSC/APF 2013 to correct and apologize for the discriminatory and regressive action that grossly disrespected our basic human rights as members of the ASEAN community. We call on members of society to support our call for a TRULY INCLUSIVE and a REAL ACSC/APF that protects and promotes the human rights of ASEAN peoples regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity as well as socio-economic background.

 



[i] The ASEAN Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Caucus or known as “ASEAN SOGI Caucus” is a network of people who respect and promote the human rights of people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE)

 

ASEAN SOGI Caucus – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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