Singapore glbt community celebrate Independence Day

(Sent to us by fridae.com)

Date sent: Thu, 18 Jul 2002 13:54:45 +0800

Latest: Qantas to sponsor nation02 Organisers to secure Qantas, Pepsi, Planet Fitness, and The Gallery Hotel as sponsors for NATION02; sponsorship seen as an affirmation of the significance of the event and the community. More: http://www.fridae.com/magazine/en20020717_2_1.php

For immediate release

12 July 2002 (Singapore) – For the second time in Singapore, the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community will come together on August 8 to celebrate the nation’s Independence Day.

Organized by Fridae.com, an online Asian gay and lesbian Internet community-based in Hong Kong and Singapore’s Kinemat Productions, NATION02 hopes to celebrate the country’s 37th birthday with more fanfare than last year. The second annual event will be held at the Fountain Gardens in Sentosa, a resort island located just south of mainland Singapore.

NATION01, which has been dubbed by the international press as Singapore’s “gay and lesbian Mardi Gras” and “coming out” party, took off with over 2,000 guests coming to celebrate National Day, as well as their joy and sense of togetherness.

“NATION02 will be unprecedented in many ways – we are fortunate not only to have some of the best-liked DJ’s from the Australian party circuit, but also sponsors such as Qantas who have been very supportive of the glbt scene in Australia, and now Singapore. Ticket sales have been phenomenal, and we expect NATION02 to be a truly international event.” Says Dr Stuart Koe, COO, Fridae.com.

Organizers will also donate a portion of the proceeds of NATION02 to Action for Aids, which has received more than S$10,000 through Fridae’s events last year.

Dr Roy Chan, President of Action for Aids, Singapore’s only HIV/AIDS advocacy group said: “Nation 2001 was not just a major social event in the gay/lesbian calendar last year, it was also a stepping stone in community building and social activism for homosexual man and women in Singapore.

“Acceptance, self-respect, and accurate information are all prerequisites to responsible and safe behaviors. These in turn are necessary to prevent the spread of HIV/STI and to provide a compassionate and supportive environment for those already infected. Greater effort is needed to develop unity and togetherness among the glbt communities if we are to face off our common enemies. AFA would like to invite one and all to be at Nation 02 – to be part of this exciting process.”

Nation 02 promises to be a mind-blowing light and sound extravaganza featuring 2 dance areas with top Sydney DJs Marky Mark and Luke Leal of Frisky (Sydney Mardi Gras recovery party) fame; Singapore-based Spanish DJ Borhead from Kinemat Productions and out lesbian DJ – Lisa C.

Partygoers will also be treated to a specially produced laser show by Oracle Lasers.

Nation02 is expected to draw visitors from the region including Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan.

Security will be stepped up at the venue to ensure the privacy and safety of all Nation02 participants. To ensure the privacy of our guests, there will be no photography allowed.

Event info
What: Nation 02
When: August 8, 2002
Where: Fountain Gardens, Sentosa, Singapore
Tickets: Presale S$35 (1-31 July) Online ticketing available (www.fridae.com/nation/ticketing); at the door S$45
Dress theme: Red and white

For further information, please visit http://www.fridae.com or contact:

Dr Stuart Koe COO, Fridae.com (65) 64714132 (office) or (65) 9875 7670 (Mobile)

About Friday

Based in Hong Kong, Fridae.com is the first and largest non-pornographic English language gay and lesbian portal in Asia to tap the full potential of a huge and rapidly growing community. Fridae.com, which turned one in March this year, has garnered such broad coverage by the international mainstream and gay media including the BBC and Agence France-Presse, The Advocate, and Datalounge.com. For more details, please go to http://www.fridae.com/inthenews.php.

About Action for AIDS

Formed in 1988, Action for AIDS (AfA) is a voluntary community-based organization and a registered charity. Our objectives are to provide support and assistance to persons living with HIV and AIDS (PWAs); to increase awareness, education, and understanding of AIDS and HIV infection; to combat discrimination and stigmatization of (PWAs) and their loved ones; and to encourage AIDS-related research activities in Singapore. Action for AIDS is entirely self-funding through donations from private individuals, foundations, and businesses both large and small; we do not receive monetary support from the government but collaborate in many areas with governmental organizations. (www.afa.org.sg)