PPC open every Saturday in December!

Hi all

Greetings from the PPC Team!

Apologies that the PPC website has been offline since early December 2008. Whilst we are sorting out the technical difficulties, we want to reiterate we are still very much OPEN every Saturday from 4-8pm! :)

Come by for a visit at DYMK (9 Kreta Ayer Road) and chill out whilst enjoying the latest read!

For more information, please drop us an email at pelangipridecentre@yahoo.com

Take care and see you soon!

Saturday, 8 November 08: Documentaries Screening - "The Celluloid Closet" and "Sex Change Soldier"

8 of November 2008 @ PELANGI PRIDE CENTRE

Screening of "THE CELLULOID CLOSET" and "SEX CHANGE SOLDIER"

Date: 8 November (Sat)
Time: 4pm
Venue: Pelangi Pride Centre
Cost: $6 (cost of 2 soft drinks and finger food)

RSVP - This event is by invitation only.
LIMITED to only 30 pax, prior registration is required.
For an invite - please email [pelangipridecentre at yahoo dot com] with your name (in full), contact number, the name/s of your guests.

1) The Celluloid Closet

The film is based on the 1981 (revised 1987) book of the same name written by Vito Russo, and on previous lecture and film clip presentations given in person by Russo 1972-82. Russo researched the history of how motion pictures, especially Hollywood films, had portrayed gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender characters. It was given a limited release in select theatres, including the Castro Theatre in San Francisco in April 1996, and then shown on cable channel HBO.

The documentary interviews various men and women connected to the Hollywood industry to comment on various film clips and their own personal experiences with the treatment of LGBT characters in film. From the sissy characters, to the censorship of the Hollywood Production Code, the coded gay characters and cruel stereotypes to the progress made in the early 1990s.

Vito Russo wanted his book to be transformed into a documentary film and helped out on the project until he died in 1990. Some critics of the documentary noted that it was less political than the book and ended on a more positive note. However, Russo had wanted the documentary to be entertaining and to reflect the positive changes that had occurred up to 1990.

Directed by Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
Produced by Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
Written by Vito Russo, Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman, Sharon Wood, Armistead Maupin
Starring Lily Tomlin (narrator)
Music by Carter Burwell
Running time 107 min.
Subtitles - Yes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Celluloid_Closet

2) Sex Change Soldier
C4's sex change soldier
By DEREK ROBINS
Published: 06 Mar 2008

THE story of the first ever Para to have a sex change is to be told in a Channel 4 documentary.
Sex Change Soldier tells the story of Parachute Regiment Captain Ian Hamilton, 43, who last year had sex change surgery and is now known as Jan.

Before the op Ian was one of the British Army's most decorated officers following service in Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland and Bosnia.

A C4 spokesman said: "The documentary is an intimate and raw portrait of a remarkable year as the alpha male Para transforms into an ultra-feminine woman.

"He has a more feminine face thanks to facial feminisation surgery, breasts have replaced his pecs and he's had sexual reassignment surgery to become a complete woman.

"Now Jan has more battles to face - to be accepted by her friends and family and the Army - she was not allowed to take up a posting as an Army Media Liaison Officer in Gibraltar and is now taking the Army to an industrial tribunal."

The programme reveals how Ian fought to suppress his feminine side by joining the Army at 18 doing officer training at Sandhurst.

He took a career break to train as a cameraman working in war zones covering the first Gulf War and the Bosnian conflict.

He then rejoined the Paras as a captain fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article884976.ece
http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/C/cutting_edge/sex_change_soldier/index.html

Present Day PPC@DYMK!

Pictures of our First PPC at Rowell Road

Pelangi Pride Centre Needs Volunteers!

Hi there!

Pelangi Pride Centre needs your help!

If you have always wanted to do your bit for the community, how about considering volunteering a Saturday (for four hours and a bit) every month at Pelangi Pride Centre?

With on-going events as well as a library that needs continual upkeep, we need your hands, legs and brain cells!

Your time commitment: A Saturday a Month, from 3:30-8pm at PPC@DYMK (9 Kreta Ayer Rd)

Don't worry, training will be provided and you will always be paired with a "veteran" volunteer so there's plenty of available help if you're new to all of
this!

If you would like more information or to volunteer, please email us at pelangipridecentre at yahoo dot com,stating your full name and contact number.

Thanks!
Eileena, Nam Khim and Charm
Pelangi Pride Centre Team

www.pelangipridecentre.org

Reflections III: "I Am" by Leona Lo

Leona Lo from - http://fatsumomo.wordpress.com/2008/10/12/leona-lo/
by Julianne Seah

I met Leona Lo yesterday at this completely new lesbian and gay bar/cafe DYKM (Does Your Mama Know). It is also occupied by the Pelangi Pride Library where it moved since The Mox Cafe at Tanjong Pagar. I jumped immediately at the chance of RedQuEEn!’s email to meet Leona Lo as she would be giving a motivational talk and RSVP-ed our names (Spearmints and I) to Eileena Lee who is the founder of RedQuEEn! I was and still am exciting having to meet Leona and met her.

Leona wrote an inspirational book on her journey to womanhood - From Leonard to Leona. If you still do not have any idea, she is the first transgendered woman to come out aggressively to the public voicing her anger and bitterness since the Pump Room incident where she was singled out and denied entry to the Pump Room as reason given: “We don’t welcome Ladyboys.”

From Leonard to Leona - I must have read about 10 times all over and raved a million. Every single read, I discovered new feelings and new perspectives that I have missed out from the last read. It never failed to capture my attention time and time again because all of her words felt so real and there was pain in this book. I think she deserved all of the fairness and the good because she took a leap of faith to write this journey recollecting agonizing memories and for all I know, this might not be all.

At this point of time, you will think probably I have thoughts of changing my gender since I am so into stuffs like this. Shame on you shallow pigs. Yes I would love to have a sex change to a woman. I need to like do something about my very manly features. Get it? Ok never mind. But whoever said that you have to be one of them to understand what they feel and desire?

So I met Leona Lo. Lo and Behold (No pun intended), wah she is beautiful and she is really captivating. Honestly, she is attractive and wow charismatic and she looks SO much better in person than her pictures which made her look trannish (no offence!) Her skin is flawless, her body is tone, her legs are long - damn it all in all, all biological women should be ashamed! SHAME ON US!

There are quite a number of participants from all walks of life, from all orientations - straights, gays, lesbians and transgenders. One of them captured my attention - Fanny whom appeared in the Straits’ Time with a whole section dedicated to transgenders. Fanny is the main character of the section “When Papa become Mama” - even my father is reading it. Fanny, an divorcee, brought her daughter along whom told her then-father that it will be okay to be mother because she gets to enjoy both papa and mama’s love. I was like wow…

Another interesting participant would be this single mother whom came because of her son who wishes to go through the transition and she was here to find out more. I was in awe. Mother fucking hell! She is really cool and understanding towards her 19 year old NS-exempted boy’s desire to transit into a woman. I honestly thought she is the best mom in the world to be able to accept this wholesome deal.

Leona began talking and she is really witty. Talking about life before transition, her anger/bitterness, her career and etc. I was really into her. I mean her words, she is well-articulated, intelligent and she really packs a punch. She is the kind of model that young transgenders should look up to and never to end up being streetwalkers. Maybe I don’t exactly have the right to say that because all are circumstantial and maybe Leona is lucky and she is blessed with brains and opportunities but of course, all these came with a price that she have fully paid since young.

The talk lasted for slightly above 2 hours with all sorts of questions being thrown onto the floor. We were in close proximity with her. I was in close proximity, like 1 step in front, and I was totally mesmerized. I wanted to ask if lesbians hit on her.

She shared one story which she read in literature (She was invited to University of York to read English Literature on scholarship). Back in US, where African American Civil Rights war was going on, the blacks were ostracized and all those things about slavery and zero equal rights. They even had rules on the bus, where it is divided into two sections.

The first four rows of bus seats were reserved for white people. Buses had “colored” sections for black people—who made up more than 75% of the bus system’s riders—generally in the rear of the bus. These sections were not fixed in size but were determined by the placement of a movable sign. Black people also could sit in the middle rows, until the white section was full. Then they had to move to seats in the rear, stand, or, if there was no room, leave the bus.

Black people were not allowed to sit across the aisle from white people. The driver also could move the “colored” section sign, or remove it altogether. If white people were already sitting in the front, black people could board to pay the fare, but then had to disembark and reenter through the rear door. There were times when the bus departed before the black customers who had paid made it to the back entrance.

So there was this lady Rosa Parks (February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005) made history and this was the strength that gave Leona.

Rosa Parks was in the bus, which later on filled with the white people. The bus driver came around and asked those African Americans (AA) to give up their seats to the white people. There were 4 AA and 3 gave up their seats except for Rosa. The bus driver motioned her and asked her to move.

Bus Driver: Let me have these seats
She never budged.
Bus Driver: Why don’t you stand up?
Rosa Parks: I am not giving up my seat.
Bus Driver: Well, if you don’t stand up, I’m going to have to call the police and have you arrested.
Rosa Parks: You may do that.

Rosa Parks was arrested that fateful night.
Quoting Rosa Parks:

I did not want to be mistreated, I did not want to be deprived of a seat that I had paid for. It was just time… there was opportunity for me to take a stand to express the way I felt about being treated in that manner. I had not planned to get arrested. I had plenty to do without having to end up in jail. But when I had to face that decision, I didn’t hesitate to do so because I felt that we had endured that too long. The more we gave in, the more we complied with that kind of treatment, the more oppressive it became

It became apparent to Leona, that it is time to take her stand in to be treated as equal as a real woman. Rosa Parks’s spirit is very much present in Leona Lo.

Today we are seeing many news with regards to the LGBT. We are finally reaching the 21st century and more milestones for LGBT. Like what Leona says, it is time.

P.s. Do not attempt Rosa Parks spirit in Singapore buses or trains. Please do give up seats for elderly, pregnant women and .. tired looking nurses..

P.p.s I managed to talk to Leona for good 15minutes. GOD AMAZING..

Reflections II: "I Am" by Leona Lo

"I had attended the "I Am - Motivational Talk” by Ms Leona Lo at PPC on 11 Oct 08 with my daughter. Beside giving us the information on Transsexual issue, she also gave us the opportunity to ask her questions during the Q&A session. Even my daughter also listening to her talk as it was quite interesting and she also mentioned about her past events. She brought books which are interesting too. Ms Leona said something about IPL which she did was cost about $100 only but as many people were talking to her after her Talk, I got no chance to find out more information on where she had done her IPL. I intend to email her and ask her about it and hope that she will reply me (as I know she is very busy) and let me know the information so that I can post in Sgbutterfly website to share this information. Cheers. "

by Fanny Ler - hyperlinked to - http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20080908-86462.html

Reflections I: "I Am" by Leona Lo

Eye- (and Mind) Opening Session with Leona Lo by Bian Tan

Yesterday, I went to hear Leona Lo speak. I had heard of her through the local GLBTQ internet postings, and since I have a few friends who are transgender, I attended the event to learn more and to show support for the transgender community. The event was held at the Pelangi Pride Centre , now at its new location in DYMK Café (Does Your Mother Know) on Kreta Ayer Street.

There were about 38 people who attended Leona’s informal sharing, which I thought was quite encouraging. Leona spoke about her experiences growing up in Singapore and facing discrimination in subtle and not so subtle ways. And also receiving understanding, acceptance, and help from unlikely people. What struck me was how different the gay and lesbian experience is from the transgender experience, and how much more difficult it has been for the latter to overcome emotional, psychological, and medical problems, while at the same time trying to find a safe space within their own social community to be who they are.

From the general discussion between the audience and Leona, I learned about the small but positive changes that appear to be happening in Singapore , about how different sexual ways of being in people are becoming more accepted, and especially how the government may be viewing the GLBTQ community in a more positive light. Especially insightful were observations made about how we can all affect positive change in social attitudes towards GLBTQ people by not hiding ourselves from our own friends and family. I also realized that I had my own misconceptions about transgender people, and that it is incorrect to lump transgender people with gay and lesbian people.

It was inspiring to hear Leona speak in a candid way about her feelings regarding discrimination. She related to us about having a lot of anger when faced with discrimination, but has now come to understand that the discrimination or negative reaction from people is only a result of their upbringing, fear, and ignorance, and that they really cannot help it. She is now very zen about it and shakes off such incidents as water from a duck’s back. At the end of the session, my heart was full of respect and admiration for Leona. She has gone through a huge amount of pain and struggle, experienced vast personal growth, and emerged radiant, strong, and wise. I was touched by her beautiful human spirit, as I’m sure many in the audience were as well.

I would like to thank the Pelangi Pride Centre for organizing and hosting Leona’s sharing session, and applaud its efforts to bring us together to better understand ourselves. I wish more people realized how wonderful a resource the PPC is. It is a safe space for GLBTQ people to socialize, make friends, look up resources in the Library, and interact face-to-face in a non-scene, non-sexual environment. Congratulations Pelangi, and heartfelt thanks for a great session with Leona!

Saturday, 11 October 2008: I Am - Motivational Talk by Leona Lo

11 of October 2008 @ PELANGI PRIDE CENTRE

I Am - Motivational Talk by Leona Lo

Pelangi Pride Centre (PPC) Presents - 

An afternoon with Leona Lo, author of "My Sisters, Their Stories" and "From Leonard to Leona - A Singapore Transsexual's Journey to Womanhood."

More about Leona:

Leona's website - http://www.leonalo.com/

Leona's interview with Fridae - http://www.fridae.com/newsfeatures/article.php?articleid=2235&viewarticle=1

Leona's interview with Reuters - http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSSP3059820070925

Date: 11 October 2008 (Sat)
Time: 4pm
Venue: Pelangi Pride Centre (DYMK Bar & Cafe)
Cost: $6 (cost of 2 drinks & finger food)

As this event is by invitation only, prior registration is required. For an invite, please email [pelangipridecentre at yahoo dot com] to RSVP with your name (in full), contact number and the name/s of your guests.

For more information:
EMAIL: pelangipridecentre [at] yahoo dot com
or visit
URL: http://www.pelangipridecentre.org/
BLOG: http://pelangipridecentre.blogspot.com/

Your FAQs answered :)

Hi all

Thanks to everyone who has popped by PPC@DYMK the last 2 Saturdays to hang out and chill with us :) We are also glad that there have been new users of the library, we hope you have a good time exploring our collection!

To address some of your FAQs:

1) Does PPC loan books out?
YES! We do :) Just pass us your details and a $10 book deposit (you can take 2 books out for 2 weeks - so that's $20 book deposit) and when you return the books in 2 weeks time, we return you your $20 (in short, it's free if you return the books, PLEASE return the books so that our collection doesn't deplete!)

2) What if I return my books late?
Just a $2 fine (per book) for each week you are late. We use the funds to purchase plastic wrap, labels and to patch books. No, it doesn't come into our pockets!

3) Where can I find your library catalogue?
Visit http://pelangipridecentre.org/library/opac/ to navigate our library catalogue (yes just like a "regular" library).

4) What are PPC's operating hours?
Saturdays, 4-8pm, we would love to open during other hours but being volunteer- run it's hard to get the manpower to staff the library during the week.

5) How can I help?
Donate $ to help with the running of PPC, we take any amount of $! The $ will be used to purchase new books as well as to offset our operating costs such as patching books, upgrading our computer system and so on, we are also always on the lookout for volunteers so if you can spare a Saturday a month, please let us know!

6) How can I contact PPC?
Email us at pelangipridecentre@yahoo.com

Take care everyone and see you on the 20th!
The PPC Team

PS: Don't forget to sign up for our upcoming event on the 2nd Saturday of October - Leona Lo will be at PPC!

Come join us for our first Saturday at DYMK (6th September, 4-8pm) :)

Hi all

PPC@DYMK will be open for our FIRST Saturday of operations this Saturday, 6th September from 4-8pm.

Come by to chill out and enjoy the collection of books whilst sipping fine teas/coffees and so on!

Special beverage/cake deals for PPC users (through the kindness of our friends at DYMK)

$2 for Soft Drinks (Normally $5)
$3 for Juice (Normally $6)
$5 a cup of Coffee (cos expensive beans) (Normally $8)
$5 a pot of Tea (cos expensive bag) (Normally $8)

Tea time special - Any cake with coffee/tea $8

The address of PPC@DYMK is 9 Kreta Ayer Road, Singapore 088985

To come by train, exit at Outram Park or Chinatown Station

To come by bus,
Neil Road - 166,197
Kreta Ayer Road - 80,145
New Bridge Road &
Eu Tong Sen Street - 2,12,33,54,63,124,143,147

See you on Saturday!
The PPC Team (Eileena, Nam Khim & Charm)

Pelangi Pride Centre Re-Opens at DYMK on 6th September 2008 (4-8pm)

Hi all

YES! We are BACK! :) Please pencil this in your diaries, PDAs, blackberry, whatever.. :P that PPC@DYMK will be open on the first Saturday of September - 6th September from 4-8pm.

For those who have borrowed books when we were at Rowell Road, Mox and so on, it's a chance to see the library in the new space and to chill out in the rather nice and lil cosy cafe. (Got [nice] coffee/tea and non-alcoholic drinks too!!!)

Our friends at DYMK have also worked out a special beverage/cake deal for PPC users so that everything is a lil cheaper during Saturdays, 4-8pm.

$2 for Soft Drinks (Normally $5)
$3 for Juice (Normally $6)
$5 a cup of Coffee (cos expensive beans) (Normally $8)
$5 a pot of Tea (cos expensive bag) (Normally $8)

Tea time special - Any cake with coffee/tea $8

We will also be open for the rest of the Saturdays in September so if you don't get a chance to say hello on 6th September, there are other opportunities!

See you soon!
The PPC Team (Eileena, Nam Khim & Charm)

DYMK is located at 9 Kreta Ayer Road - http://www.pelangipridecentre.org/contact/contact.htm

Pelangi Pride Centre has Moved!

Dear all,

A big "Thank You" to all the volunteers, the dragon boaters and the 3 drivers (who volunteered the lorry and the 2 cars), who helped out with the big move on Saturday 16 August 2008.

Our thanks also to Dr Kaan Sheung Kin (affectionately known to all of us as Sheung) for generously housing PPC in his home and opening his home to the community every saturday since March 08.

Pelangi Pride Centre will be closed for the next 2 weeks for us to settle down in our new home.

We will re-open on the 6th of September 2008.

Please watch this space for more info about future activities in our new home.

With thanks,

Charm, Nam Khim and Eileena.

Pelangi Pride Centre celebrates Singapore's 43rd Birthday!

Dear Friends

PPC will be taking a break this Saturday, 9 August to observe Singapore's 43rd Birthday (staying home to watch the Parade lah...)

Happy National Day to all our Singaporean friends.

Take care
The PPC Team

Check the Availability of Books Online!

Did you know that you can look for books that are available at PPC online?

Check out the following link http://pelangipridecentre.org/library/opac/ to search according to title/author or subject

See you at the new PPC@DYMK! (Opening details to follow!)

Take care
Charm :)

A Big Thank You to Our Volunteers

A big thank you to Ying Ying, Mike, Lynn and Su-Lin for the hard work they put in today to pack PPC in preparation for our big move on 16 August.

It was a solid two and a half hours of packing but now what used to be our library at Rowell Road is all safely encased in many little cardboard boxes.

We are still looking for help for the move on 16 August, so if you can spare a few hours to flex some muscles, please drop us an email at [pelangipridecentre at yahoo dot com].

Thanks and see you soon!
Charm

Pelangi Pride Centre needs your MUSCLES! - we're moving (AGAIN!)

Pelangi Pride Centre needs your MUSCLES! - we're moving (AGAIN!)

Yup, you read the subject heading RIGHT! :)

We are moving (AGAIN!) - from our present location in Rowell Road to our new home, DYMK - http://www.dymk.sg/

We are very grateful to Dr Kaan Sheung Kin (affectionately known to all of us as Sheung) for generously housing PPC in his home and opening his home to the community every saturday since March 08.

As with all our previous moves, we need your MUSCLES on the 16th of August, 5pm at our current home in Rowell Road.

To help out and for more details, please email Eileena at [pelangipridecentre at yahoo dot com] with your name and contact number (so that we can contact you if there are any last minute changes)

Cheers,

Eileena Lee

Saturday, 12 July 08: Documentary Screening - The Celluloid Closet

21 of June 2008 @ PELANGI PRIDE CENTRE

Screening of "THE CELLULOID CLOSET"

The film is based on the 1981 (revised 1987) book of the same name written by Vito Russo, and on previous lecture and film clip presentations given in person by Russo 1972-82. Russo researched the history of how motion pictures, especially Hollywood films, had portrayed gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender characters. It was given a limited release in select theatres, including the Castro Theatre in San Francisco in April 1996, and then shown on cable channel HBO.

The documentary interviews various men and women connected to the Hollywood industry to comment on various film clips and their own personal experiences with the treatment of LGBT characters in film. From the sissy characters, to the censorship of the Hollywood Production Code, the coded gay characters and cruel stereotypes to the progress made in the early 1990s.

Vito Russo wanted his book to be transformed into a documentary film and helped out on the project until he died in 1990. Some critics of the documentary noted that it was less political than the book and ended on a more positive note. However, Russo had wanted the documentary to be entertaining and to reflect the positive changes that had occurred up to 1990.

Directed by Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
Produced by Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
Written by Vito Russo, Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman, Sharon Wood, Armistead Maupin
Starring Lily Tomlin (narrator)
Music by Carter Burwell
Running time 107 min.
Subtitles - Yes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Celluloid_Closet

As this event is by invitation only, prior registration is required. To sign up, please email [pelangipridecentre at yahoo dot com] to RSVP with your name, contact number and the name/s of your guests.

Date: 12 July 2008 (Sat)
Time: 4pm
Venue: Pelangi Pride Centre - 54 Rowell Road (in Little India)
Cost: $6 (cost of 2 soft drinks and finger food)

Directions to the new PPC:

Come into Hindoo Road from Jalan Besar. Look for tall HDB block 639 at the end of the road. Corner terrace house with grapevines growing. Come in from the back door.

Saturday, 21 June 08: SafeHaven + PPC presents - For the Bible tells me so

21 of June 2008 @ PELANGI PRIDE CENTRE

Screening of "FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO"

Can the love between two people ever be an abomination? Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate?

Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson -- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.

There will be a discussion moderated by Miak from The Free Community
Church, following the screening.

As this event is by invitation only, prior registration is required. To sign up, please email [pelangipridecentre at yahoo dot com] to RSVP with your name, contact number and the name/s of your guests.

Date: 21 June 2008 (Sat)
Time: 4pm
Venue: Pelangi Pride Centre - 54 Rowell Road (in Little India)
Cost: $6 (cost of 2 soft drinks and finger food)

Directions to the new PPC:

Come into Hindoo Road from Jalan Besar. Look for tall HDB block 639 at the end of the road. Corner terrace house with grapevines growing. Come in from the back door.

Saturday, 7 June 08: Documentaries Screening- "Dangerous Living" and "Shalom in the home"

7 of June 2008 @ PELANGI PRIDE CENTRE

Documentaries screening
"Dangerous Living" and "Shalom in the home"

1) Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing World

Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing World, is a feature-length documentary that explores the immense changes that occurred for gays, lesbians and transgender people living in the Global South. In the last decade of the 20th Century, a new heightened visibility began spreading throughout the developing world and the battles between families, fundamentalist religions, and governments around sexual and gender identity had begun. But in the West, few people knew about this historic social upheaval, until 52 men on Cairo's Queen Boat discothèque were arrested for crimes of debauchery. That explosive story focused attention to the lives and trials of gay people coming out in the developing world and the film chronicles those events.

Dangerous Living opens with one of the Cairo 52 defendant's, Ashraf Zanati, who was tortured, humiliated, beaten and forced to spend 13 months in prison. His simple, but powerful statement sets out the basic theme for the film: "My sexuality is my own sexuality. It doesn't belong to anybody. Not to my government, not to my brother, my sister, my family. No."

Directed by John Scagliotti and Produced by Janet Baus and Dan Hunt. Executive Producer is Reid Williams. Major sponsor includes The H. van Ameringen Foundation.

2) Shalom in the home

"Shalom in the home" is a series about a Rabbi counselling couples with problems dealing with family life.

This particular episode features a lesbian couple who are having issues with one of their 2 daughters. One of the two mums, her father is a civil-rights lawyer, but could not accept her daughter is lesbian. In order to prove to people that gay people are capable of being good parents, she ended up pushing her own daughter too hard.

Without letting on too much - basically this episode focuses on the effects that a homophobic society have on gay people such that the downstream effects can hurt our own children at the end of the day. (This was shown on CableTV in March 2007)

As this event is by invitation only, prior registration is required. To sign up, please email [pelangipridecentre at yahoo dot com] to RSVP with your name, contact number and the name/s of your guests.

Date: 7 June 2008 (Sat)
Time: 4pm
Venue: Pelangi Pride Centre - 54 Rowell Road (in Little India)
Cost: $6 (cost of 2 soft drinks and finger food)

Directions to the new PPC:

Come into Hindoo Road from Jalan Besar. Look for tall HDB block 639 at the end of the road. Corner terrace house with grapevines growing. Come in from the back door.

Saturday, 10 May 08: Documentaries Screening- "Trembling before God" and "Rene's Story"

10 of May 2008 @ PELANGI PRIDE CENTRE

Documentaries screening

"Trembling before God" and "Rene's Story"

1) Trembling before God (84mins)
http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Trembling_ Before_G- d

2) Rene's Story (77mins)
Rene, 31, a female-to-male gender reassignment candidate took hormones for years and "passed" as a man for all of his adult life. Married to his high-school sweetheart, Wona, a heterosexual woman, for 12 years, no one would guess Rene was biologically a woman. Living under a veil of secrecy and lies, Rene and Wona's lives seemed fine until someone "outted" the couple at their beloved church and everything they knew was destroyed. The public revelation of Rene's secret starts to unravel his marriage to Wona. Through all of it, Rene continues to hold on to his lifelong obsession to become a biological male and goes
on a cross-country search to find the best transgender surgeon, only to discover that the current surgery options are flawed. At the last minute, Rene finds a surgeon who has created an experimental procedure, which will be seen in THE OPPOSITE SEX for the first time.

As this event is by invitation only, prior registration is required. To sign up, please email [pelangipridecentre at yahoo dot com] to RSVP with your name, contact number and the name/s of your guests.

Date: 10 May 2008 (Sat)
Time: 4pm
Venue: Pelangi Pride Centre - 54 Rowell Road (in Little India)
Cost: $6 (cost of 2 soft drinks and finger food)

Directions to the new PPC:

Come into Hindoo Road from Jalan Besar. Look for tall HDB block 639 at the end of the road. Corner terrace house with grapevines growing. Come in from the back door.

Pelangi Pride Centre Re-Opens Today! (19 April 2008) 4-8pm

Dear all

Just a gentle reminder that Pelangi Pride Centre re-opens in our new home - 54 Rowell Road (in Little India), TODAY (19 April) from 4-8pm

For directions on how to get to the new PPC:

Come into Hindoo Road from Jalan Besar. Look for tall HDB block 639 at the end of the road. Corner terrace house with grapevines growing. Come in from the back door.

Take care and see you!
Charm
Pelangi Pride Centre
pelangipridecentre at yahoo dot com

Pelangi Pride Centre has moved

Dear all,

A big "Thank You" to all the volunteers and The Bears who helped out with the big move on Sunday 30 March 2008.

Pelangi Pride Centre will be closed for the next 2 weeks for us to settle down in our new home.

We will re-open on the 19th of April 2008.

Please watch this space for more info about future activities in our new home.

with thanks,

Charm, Nam Khim and Eileena.