As one of Singapore’s most notable drag performers, you might have seen the larger-than-life Becca D’Bus on stage, all dressed up in a standout drag outfit — or um, even on Stomp — whatever it is, the founder and host of RIOT! is proud of who he is; he’s someone you’d notice right away, and someone you shouldn’t shy away from too. For one, underneath that loud and sassy exterior… he’s just as sassy and quick-witted, which makes for some hilarious stage banter, and just as eloquent and passionate about the LGBTQ cause as well.
Recently, D’Bus started an Instagram series where he posts a daily makeup look, though with a caption that’s definitely more than skin-deep: there, he paints a bold picture of how LGBTQ people are discriminated in society — especially the institutional inequality that includes Singapore’s housing policy laws, NS, the experience of queer teachers in our public education system, and more. So, it makes sense that he’d be the first person we’d wanna talk to regarding this year’s (and every year’s, really) controversial Pink Dot event. Read on to see how you can support the LGBTQ community, what you need to know before attending the event on 1 July this Saturday, and what you should totally avoid doing too.
1. How many Pink Dots have you attended?
2017 will be my 7th! I’ve been every year since 2011. I’ve followed it since its first year. I wasn’t in Singapore, but watching it from afar, in Boston, and cheering!
2. Why do you go?
I started a little series on Instagram (@beccadbus) a few days ago, in which, every day, I post a new makeup look, and in the caption offer a true story of inequality in Singapore, I’ve had to really edit it down. The simple truth is Singapore is grossly discriminatory towards LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) people. We have a mental image of middle class and richer gay men having a good time, but there are LGBTQ people in every social class, every industry, and of all backgrounds. It’s not that more of us are male and rich, it’s that if you’re not, you’re either necessarily invisible for survival, or made invisible by policy. Those policies have effect in areas as diverse as education, housing, end of life planning, healthcare, military service, career advancement, law enforcement, most of which LGBTQ people pay for with their taxes but are discriminated against in reality. No, It’s not just about Section 377A of the penal code.
I don’t 100% agree with the position of Pink Dot on every issue, but it is one day in which we (LGBTQ people and our allies) make ourselves visible, stand up, and be counted. I believe in solidarity. I believe that when people stand in solidarity, we are powerful. I believe that when 28,000 people stand in solidarity, we are extremely, unavoidably powerful. And I believe one day Singapore and the world can be just.
3. What do you generally look forward to at the festival?
Pink Dot is not a festival, it’s a rally, a picnic and a protest action. Which is one of the reasons why it can only happen at Hong Lim Park, the other being that homophobic public policy has made it impossible to license a gathering of people in support of LGBTQ equality anywhere else.
I look forward to contributing towards making a rare space in Singapore where my people are welcome in ALL our diversity. I look forward to learning about the groups that are formed by people in Singapore to celebrate, support and care for each other in a country that frankly, takes a crap on them almost daily.
And I look forward to being visible with my people and those who love us.
4. What are you particularly looking forward to this year?
This year, Pink Dot is being tested. New, harsh, and oppressive public assembly laws mean that only Singaporeans and PRs will be allowed into the park for Pink Dot. I am excited to see folks really turn up and be counted. We can’t rely anymore on large swathes of expats from large MNCs to do our work for us. So I look forward to seeing Singaporeans come to Pink Dot for the first time, and stand for what they believe in — our equality as people.
My friends and I at IndigNation, Singapore’s Pride Season (August of every year) will soon be publishing a list of folks who would be open to helping make sure people feel welcome and supported in going to Pink Dot (maybe for the first time). Look out for information on meet-ups to travel together to Hong Lim Park on Facebook. I am ALWAYS moved by people caring for each other. I really look forward to seeing the ways that happens every year, but especially this year because so many people I’ve heard from have said that with all the restrictions, this will be their first year going.
Also, this year, IndigNation will be creating space for people with crowd anxieties to chill out in. I am looking forward to seeing how my community will help, protect and care for total strangers. Will we? I trust we will.
5. I’m sure you have your outfit planned. Can we see it?
Ah hah! Part of the fun of drag for me is making things happen at the very last minute. I finished my dress last year 2 hours before I left the house to go to Hong Lim Park. This year, I’m not sure what I’m wearing, there’s lots to consider since I’ll be going on the MRT, so I’ll have to make it through the gates, but beyond that, we’ll see!
6. What’s your makeup going to be like this year?
Waterproof.
7. For someone who has never attended Pink Dot, what should he / she wear?
There are two things to remember about choosing your outfit.
- It has to be Pink. Lots of pink. Very Very Pink. There’s plenty available to buy if you don’t own anything, The Authority is the official Pink Dot retail partner this year, and they’ve got some minimalist pieces in the colour of the day. Or if you wanna wear something really, really gay, I make and sell pink t-shirts with dots on them made from the off-cuts from building my costumes. They’re all handmade by me and my mother, and they are all one off, with sizes from Newborn to 3XL. Bus Detour will be stocked only at SUPERSPACE in the days running up to Pink Dot.
- Be fully and truly your own person. You represent you at Pink Dot. You should fully express who you are. Whether that means looking like you thought Coachella was at Hong Lim Park, or being extremely masculine, or being in some kind of drag, the most important thing is to be yourself, and be visible in your support of the cause. If you’re like the editor of NYLON and you only ever wear black, erm… thank god for shopping and black underwear.
8. What should one pack along for the event?
- Definitely bring your Identity Card, you have to prove you’re Singaporean or PR.
- Bring a torch light, to join in forming the dot as night falls.
- Be ready to be outdoors, water, sunblock, a foldable fan, some food if you like.
- If you wanna go early to picnic, then pack that too!
- Bring a plastic bag and bag up your trash, you may need to carry it out of the park at the end, because trashcans overflow with that many people.
- Most of all, bring your heart, be ready to be kind and friendly.
- Lastly, try not to bring too much. bags will be checked on the way in, don’t make security have you account for half your life in your backpack.
9. What do we not need to bring that you think would be too much?
Lawn furniture. Every year I see people with lawn furniture. I don’t understand this. At all.
10. Finally, can we get a list of Dos and Don’ts from your point of view:
Please, if you are queer, or if you support your LGBTQ friends, come, be present, be counted, help build loving, accepting, space, it’s family friendly, bring your friends and family, talk to them about why you want to come and why they should, we need the numbers.
Please when you do come, take part, watch the concert, visit the community booths, soak in the atmosphere. Make friends. Or not. There’s no pressure, if you just need to find a quiet spot to chill out, do it, crowds can be stressful.
If you’re not LGBTQ, know that for some folks, this could be the only space in Singapore where they feel safe, accepted, loved, supported. There might be dizzy queen dancing in front of you during the concert, don’t insist that she sit down so you can see, this is her space too, and this is her time as well.
- Do try to respect everybody.
- Do ask before you take pictures.
- We all look friendly, unless it’s invited, don’t insist on hugging people.
- You will see some gender variant people
- Do give mad props for the fierce individuality
- Don’t point and stare.
If you see a drag queen, know that we love all of you, but don’t touch us, unless we initiate it. There’s not a lot holding it all together, one false move and it could all fall apart. Also we’re hella sweaty. Also wigs are like fur hats. IN SINGAPOREAN HEAT.
Pink Dot 2017
Date: 1 July 2017, Sat
Time: 5pm
Venue: Hong Lim Park
More information on Pink Dot 2017 at pinkdot.sg and facebook.com/pinkdotsg.
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