singapore hotel: Thousands gather for Singapore gay rally

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“This is a social movement that is seeking to promote inclusiveness in Singapore, and it is amazing that we are breaking records year after year,” Janice Koh, an ambassador for the rally, told AFP.

“Pink Dot’s success goes to show that more Singaporeans are becoming open about showing their support for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community,” said Koh, an actress and appointed lawmaker representing the arts industry.

The name of the event is a play on Singapore’s nickname – “The Little Red Dot” on the world map.

Organisers have stressed that it was not a protest but a public show of support for LGBT people in Singapore.

The rally has grown in stature since its first edition in 2009, when 2500 people attended. It now enjoys the support of local celebrities as well as internet giant Google and financial firms Barclays and JP Morgan.

The four-hour, carnival-like rally featured musical performances by Singaporean artists, and culminated with the crowd forming a giant pink dot after dusk by holding LED lights.

Participants brushed off countermovements by Christian and Muslim conservatives opposing the city-state’s growing gay rights movement.