Turning Pink

Kaleidoscope, NTU’s first-ever student group aimed at raising awareness of discrimination issues, needs to take concrete action if they wish to show observers they are serious in their mission.

By Huang Caiwei

Graphic: Law Kai Hua

Though founded only five months ago, Kaleidoscope, NTU’s first-ever student group aimed at raising awareness of discrimination against sexual orientation, gender, class and race, has its work cut out for it.

The group believes that complex issues such as gender discrimination and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) sexual orientations should be “discussed sensibly and with an open mindset for the betterment of the community as a whole”.

Though there has been considerable support from both the student population and the school administration, there are pertinent issues that the club has to face to further their cause.

Chief among these are the misconceptions the student population might have about its efforts.

Since its establishment, some students have expressed worries of the club aggressively promoting homosexual activity. Others voiced concerns over the possible mushrooming of inappropriate public displays of affection by club members. These rumours serve to remind us about the misconceptions and negative stereotypes one might have about our LGBT peers — like exuberantly dressed individuals in skinny jeans, openly proclaiming and displaying their sexuality.

Compared to the rest of the world, Singapore is still considered a relatively conservative country. Many of our elders, as well as a large proportion of the baby boomer generation, still regard LGBT individuals with a certain level of distrust.

Section 377A of the Penal Code — a law criminalising homosexual sex — was hotly debated in our courts four months ago. The court eventually ruled that the law was to remain in the books, a sign of how far LGBT acceptance in Singapore still has to go.

A look at other cities around the world paint a different picture.

Montreal, a city half the size of Singapore and located in Canada, prides itself on having its very own gay village — a section of the city which draws large amounts of tourists every year.

Closer to home, Hong Kong recently broadcasted its first gay film festival on television. The festival will screen two gay films every Saturday and Sunday night for two months to raise awareness for the LBGT cause.

However, Kaleidoscope will have an easier job in this regard. Its main target group — young NTU students — are generally considered more liberal and accepting of minority groups.

In order to effectively broadcast their message to the student population, Kaleidoscope has to make a strong first impression on anyone curious about the club. Word of mouth would be a good medium for spreading the Kaleidoscope message.

Students are easily influenced by what they hear through the grapevine, and if Kaleidoscope is able to display competency and confidence in its execution, this will gain them some well-earned publicity along the way. If it accomplishes its goals, the club will add an interesting dimension to the NTU community.

Nonetheless, Kaleidoscope deserves to be commended because this small first step, if carried in the right direction, can go a long way towards creating a more equal and discrimination-free society for all of us.