Located on the finish of a cavernous hall in an industrial constructing, Pelangi Satisfaction Centre (PPC) is housed in an unremarkable unit, save for a small satisfaction flag plastered on the glass door.
For a lot of within the queer neighborhood right here, the library and useful resource centre is a well-known title. PPC – “pelangi” means rainbow in Malay – was arrange in 2003 by LGBTQ+ activists Benedict Thambiah, Roger Winder, Charmaine Tan, Eileena Lee and Dinesh Naidu, who wished to create a daytime venue the place individuals may collect without spending a dime.
At its present location in One Commonwealth, PPC is hosted by Free Neighborhood Church, an inclusive Christian congregation recognized for overtly welcoming LGBTQ+ people.
“It was primarily centered on making a protected area for LGBTQ+ people. At the moment, such areas have been considerably missing, significantly these not centred round alcohol, events, or nightlife. Basically, there have been no public neighborhood areas catering to this demographic,” says Jordan Tang, a social employee who has been the lead volunteer on the centre since 2015.
PPC, which marked its twentieth 12 months final month, has been fully volunteer-run and neighborhood funded – a outstanding feat contemplating that queer points and causes have been thought of taboo in conservative Singapore for many years.
Whereas examples just like the repeal of Part 377A, and Minister for Dwelling Affairs and Regulation Ok. Shanmugam discussing LGBTQ+ associated points in parliament, appear to counsel shifting mindsets, there stay those that really feel that the transfer would go towards their private values.
It’s one of many the explanation why PPC continues to be very a lot an “under-the-radar” group outdoors of the queer neighborhood. Whereas the workforce depends on Instagram to advertise its occasions and initiatives, they’re cautious about drumming up an excessive amount of publicity attributable to issues that PPC could possibly be misconstrued by these are unfamiliar with the area, or who disapprove of its ethos.
Says Jordan: “We’re a neighborhood, not a registered charity, and this actuality is widespread amongst many different neighborhood teams. Negotiating this unregistered standing is a problem that we and different related teams face. We don’t have management over who enters our area, however we’ve established guidelines to safeguard our operations, stopping potential dangers that may result in undesirable consideration or makes an attempt to close us down.
“It’s a fragile steadiness; we would like visibility [in terms of raising awareness about LGBTQ+ issues in Singapore], however we additionally want to keep up a low profile to evade scrutiny that would threaten our existence. Over time, managing this steadiness has been essential, and it stays a big consideration till the potential of registration turns into extra possible.”
There are seven volunteer leads who type the bedrock of its operations. One in all them is Leighann Lee, an IT skilled who’s been managing a number of back-end roles at PPC since 2012. She shares that the library has amassed near 2,000 books by donations or gross sales and advertising initiatives – and the gathering is reviewed and refreshed once in a while.
For a token price of $10 per e-book (which is refunded upon return), customers can mortgage from genres as various as romance and fantasy, to self- assist and Singlit. There are even magazines for looking, and non-English language e-book titles. A lot of the literature are written by queer authors, or have LGBTQ+ themes.
“We recognise that the relevance of sure books written 10, 15 or 20 years in the past could have modified. Our most up-to-date refresh happened in 2022, after we eliminated a number of hundred books to accommodate new arrivals. Presently, we’re at about 1,800 to 2,000 books, inclusive of these prepared for shelving or awaiting categorisation,” says Leighann.
Some widespread titles out there are SQ21: Singapore Queers within the twenty first Century (Ng Yi- Sheng), The Man Who Wore His Spouse’s Sarong (Suchen Christine Lim), and Over the Prime, by Queer Eye host and creator Jonathan Van Ness.
In keeping with Leighann, their volunteers have been instrumental within the collection of books.
“They usually determine gaps in our assortment, and counsel titles which might be affirming and helpful for readers, each inside and outdoors the LGBTQ+ neighborhood. Their various backgrounds have considerably impacted the range of our assortment. Initially, our assortment might need leaned in the direction of extra gay-oriented titles.”
“Nevertheless, with volunteer contributions, we’ve seen an growth in our choices to incorporate titles that cater to a broader viewers, corresponding to these centred round bisexuality and transgenderism.”
“Offering a protected and welcoming setting, particularly for these looking for a spot to comfortably discover and specific themselves, distinguishes us from probably much less inviting areas.”
– Jordan Tang, lead volunteer
A protected and fascinating area
In September 2023, PPC organised a fully-booked session with Singapore creator and playwright, Alfian Sa’at, as a part of its ongoing Introduction to Queer Arts sequence, which spotlights native queer authors. The sequence affords up-and-coming creatives a platform to showcase their work, says Jordan.
It’s one of many many free community-driven occasions out there to the general public, which features a month-to-month e-book membership for LGBTQ+ and allies, and a psychological well being sequence that spotlights completely different points.
One other neighborhood initiative that PPC has just lately launched is addressing the challenges confronted by the ageing queer inhabitants. Organised in collaboration with psychologist Maha Y. See and counsellor Chuanfei Chin, the classes are meant for homosexual and bisexual males aged 40 and above.
“Contributors bear screening to make sure a conducive and safe ambiance. Somewhat than explicitly labelling these classes as a help group, we combine psychoeducational elements facilitated by psychological health-trained leaders to deal with subjects together with monetary issues, relationship shifts, household dynamics, and age-related well being issues,” explains Jordan.
The purpose is for the group to transition right into a extra supportive section, and to foster a neighborhood that’s open and fascinating. Finally, Jordan hopes that it lays the groundwork for related initiatives for different subgroups throughout the LGBTQ+ neighborhood sooner or later.
“In my eight years of volunteering [at PPC], I’ve witnessed youthful guests stepping in tentatively, uncertain of what to anticipate. But, the centre has a magical method of easing their preliminary awkwardness. It turns into a protected area the place they regularly open up, discovering help from volunteers keen to interact and make them really feel at dwelling.”
“Offering a protected and welcoming setting, particularly for these looking for a spot to comfortably discover and specific themselves, distinguishes us from probably much less inviting areas. It’s a necessary a part of the PPC expertise, one which fosters a way of security and inclusivity for all who enter its doorways,” he says.
Pelangi Satisfaction Centre (@pelangipridecentre) is positioned at #02-02 One Commonwealth, 1 Commonwealth Lane.
Illuminating reads at Pelangi Satisfaction Centre
Lead volunteer Leighann Lee shares her suggestions.
Pages For Her by Sylvia Brownrigg
Two former lovers unexpectedly reunite 20 years after parting methods. As they navigate their present relationships in intimacy, work and motherhood, they discover themselves rediscovering a previous love amid the complexities of their very own lives.
Sure, You Are Trans Sufficient by Mia Violet
This affirming biographical memoir of a queer transgender lady traces the ups and downs of her transition journey.
The Lady That Can’t Get A Girlfriend by Mieri Hiranishi
A lightweight-hearted and humorous lesbian autobiographical manga about love and loneliness.
Burning My Roti: Breaking Boundaries As A Queer Indian Girl by Sharan Dhaliwal
This information and memoir delves into private experiences, whereas addressing the challenges confronted by the brand new technology of South Asian ladies. It explores the complexities of juggling cultural identities, alongside the stress to adapt to numerous magnificence requirements.
Ace Voices: What It Means To Be Asexual, Aromantic, Demi Or Gray-ace by Eris Younger
Folks within the asexual neighborhood share how they expertise attraction, and the way they dwell and love of their distinctive methods.
Child Zoey: Our Search For Life And Household by Olivia Chiong
A Singapore lesbian couple pursues their dream of getting a organic baby.
The Darkish Spouse by Sarah Diemer
Persephone, daughter of Zeus, discovers that Hades is just not merely a Lord of the Lifeless, however quite, the Goddess of the Underworld. This retelling of the basic Persephone and Hades fantasy explores themes of affection and self-discovery.
Hild by Nicola Griffith
The story revolves round a younger bisexual woman, robust in each mind and can. Her mom relentlessly pushes her to imagine the function of the king’s indispensable seer, regardless of the dangerously excessive stakes concerned.
ART DIRECTION Adeline Eng
PHOTOGRAPHY Clement Goh
Supply: Her World