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SINGAPORE -- area code (65)
Advisory: Singapore is politically conflicted about the natural desires of its citizens, straight and gay. While sporting one of Asia's most vibrant and fun gay scenes and a huge Wikipedia entry on Singapore Gay History, homosexual activity remains illegal in Singapore along with oral sex, meaning that most sexually active Singaporeans, gay or not, are urban outlaws. Vestiges of antique British sodomy laws remain in force despite sloganeering for "Asian values", a weak disguise for conservative religion-based discrimination against sexual minorities (although Christians and fundamentalists are a minority in Singapore society, they hold half of the civil service jobs). Outrageously, while banning gay and lesbian self-help groups, in 2006 government officials awarded a large grant of public money to a homophobic Christian group that tries to turn gays straight. Fundamentalist religious groups are paid to teach lop-sided human sexuality courses in public schools. Hotel rooms and private clubs are considered public places under law.
Singapore's first public GLBT pride festival, Indignation, took place during the month of Aug in 2005. The arts, especially theater, have been openly exploring the subject of homosexuality since the 1990s. Police harassment and entrapment of gays has nearly vanished following Lee Kuan Yew's unexpected 1998 CNN statement that "what we are doing as a government is to leave people to live their own lives so long as they don't impinge on other people. I mean, we don't harass anybody." Most gay business owners have taken these words to heart and the scene has quickly become more open, diverse, and world-class.
Singapore has a lingering PR problem from its years of threatening gay citizens with the rotten rattan of its buggery-obsessed former colonial masters. Let’s lay that nonsense to rest: these days you won't be arrested for sharing a bed with your lover or chewing gum with that gorgeous salesgirl you just chatted up at Starbucks. You don't need to withhold your pink dollars in a vote against the dinosaur technocrats because pink dollars are fueling a renaissance of lesbian-owned and managed businesses across the island. The tourist area of Chinatown already has several dozen rainbow venues filling up heritage buildings and attracting a steady flow of local clientele and in-the-know regional visitors.
What will you get in place of homophobia and newspaper exposes? Southeast Asia's best cuisines collected together in one place, safe and clean multi-ethnic neighborhoods ripe for exploring, shopping malls up the wazoo, cheap world-class hotels, sport-spa-and-health legal highs, and rollicking nightlife.
Don't assume that Singaporeans are backward. Global access to information and the rapid economic advancement of this small island nation have created a mobile and progressive generation of educated, fit, English-speaking women of diverse cultural backgrounds. The art of conversation is alive and well here and you will make fast friends who won't be afraid to challenge your thinking with their own opinions. Green, modern and organized, The Lion City is also a haven for well-to-do expats.
Officials stopped harassing gay venues at the end of the last century. The government has been officially hiring open homosexuals into the civil service for years now and gay and lesbian talents are sought after in the work force as the country strives to maintain its Asian "tiger" status through increased diversity. This new pragmatism seems set to continue.
The population of Singapore is over 4.5 million people, which means that more than 180,000 Utopians live on this island along with an even larger number of self-professed metrosexual bi gals who also participate in the local lesbian scene.
A general and social mailing list, RedQuEEn! is oldest email discussion list for queer women living in Singapore. Since 1998, the list has grown to more than 1200 subscribers. It is intended as a fun, friendly, and supportive list and includes everything from humor to serious discussion.
A forum and publishing platform for Asian queer women based in Singapore. Its main aim is to promote vibrancy within the community and to educate by informing the public with news and information of interest to lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women.
The updated and expanded 2nd Edition of the Utopia Guide to Singapore surveys the gay and lesbian scene in the Lion City. Listings include a gay scene map, organizations, bars, discos, spas, accommodations, restaurants, and more. A special section highlights venues that are especially welcoming for women. Click here to order
ADLUS (Adventurers Like US) is a group for GLBT (gay, lesbian, bi and transgender) people who enjoy outdoor sports and adventurous activities, nature walks and conservation.
Singapore's first public gay pride festival took place in Aug 2005 and is set to repeat in 2006 with larger premises. The name is a foil to Singapore's melting pot National Day celebration, with its indigenous GLBT citizens indignant for being criminalized and discriminated against.
An email counseling service for queer women living in Singapore. Disheartened by the tragic deaths of Michelle Yong and Wee May May, 10 volunteers from RedQuEEn! banded together to be trained by professional counselors towards a goal - to listen, counsel and help those are pushed to the edge by the daily negativities of urban life. These women volunteers provide strictly confidential and anonymous counseling, information and support without prejudice, through email, for women who have trouble adjusting to or dealing with the social pressures of being lesbian/bisexual. They also offer support for family and friends of queer women.
At Mox, 21 Tanjong Pagar, 04-01, (see map, above Happy), email. Established in collaboration with HIV/STI prevention programs of AfA. The center is comprised of a library of 700+ GLBT-themed books (open for browsing/borrowing every Sat, 4-8pm). All are welcome to hang out inside the (no smoking) café or out on
the terrace, and enjoy drinks & desserts. They also offer counseling and referrals for medical, legal and other services.
PO Box 0299, Raffles City Post Office, Singapore 911710, email. Singapore's first grass-roots organization for men and women was silenced by the government. Many young professionals confident of their identities attended their popular topical forums. Their official mission was to promote awareness and understanding of the issues and problems concerning gay, lesbian and bisexual persons. Behind the scenes they directly addressed reversing discrimination against gays by lobbying police and government authorities. Their petition to the Registrar of Societies for official recognition was rejected on May 7, 1997, and their two subsequent appeals, all the way up to the Prime Minister's office, were declined without reason. They were then ordered to cease all activities or be subject to heavy penalties against organizers and members.
Email. A group of Singapore-based teachers, educators and supportive colleagues from a range of institutions and backgrounds. They offer support to their members through regular meetings and social events. Their long-term mission is to achieve a situation in Singapore schools in which each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Gay teachers who are interested in joining this group should send an email.
Email. A safe, neutral and alcohol-free gathering for lesbians and bisexual women. The event is held on the last Sat of every month. Over a potluck dinner, they hold discussions on wide-ranging topics like self-acceptance, homophobia, relationships and identity.
Comments from Utopians:
"The monthly Women's Nite was started in Dec, 2003. The aim of the event is to provide a non-threatening, non-sexualised space for queer women to gather and discuss the issues they encounter in their lives. Theme topics have included coming out, legal rights, and sexual and emotional health. For more information about the monthly Women's Nite, please email us." -- Eileena, May 17, 2006
The Chinatown neighborhood is easy to navigate using our Utopia map:
Click here for Singapore hotels and accommodations.
114 Middle Rd #01-00, 6337-1967, FAX 6336-6302, email. A gay and lesbian-friendly California style music bar set up by two guys from San Francisco. The place is really funky with lots of comfortable leather couches and very friendly staff. The Gashaus is a place for the live music underground in Singapore, but they also have DJ parties and progressive social event nights. Cosplay is big here, plus Goth and J-Rock bands play regularly. Occasional gay or lesbian nights. They also have music jamming studios for rent. Utopia Member Discount
CHINATOWN
Cow & Coolies
30 Mosque St (see map), 6221-1239, email. This lesbian bar with pool table gets completely packed with women on weekends. Owner, Net, is on hand to make sure everyone is having a great time. Some women bring their gay male friends, but the guys look rather forlorn in the crush of party women. Very popular!
21 Tanjong Pagar (see map), 6323-9438, email. Fabulous chill-out space with retro furnishings and even a balcony overlooking Chinatown. Attentive and cute staff. Very relaxed and friendly gay club to hang out in with friends. Lesbian-friendly and occasional women's parties.
65/67 Neil Rd (see map, opposite Tantric), 6225-6256, email. New location, 50 meters from the old place. Management and waiters are very friendly. Cruising in the facilities happens, but be discreet -- it's a good place to pick up and head home or to a sauna. Crowd is primarily gay, but also some lesbians. All races party here, so it’s extra fun. Busiest on Fri and Sat nights (many clubbers come both days).
Toca Me
95 Club St (see map). Small and cozy bar primarily for lesbians, but great for lounge lizards.
Comments from Utopians:
"Try the peach magaritas. Prices of drinks range from S$10-13." -- singslave, Jan 12, 2008
ORCHARD ROAD
Crocodile Rock
Pub5/F Far East Plaza, Orchard Road, 6738-0535. Lesbian-owned. Crowd is more mature women.
Gay literature has found its way into mainstream bookshops throughout the island (often displayed under subjects like "Gender Studies"), including the following stores:
Borders, Wheelock Place, Orchard Rd (a bit cruisy in the evenings, esp. mag section)
MPH (at main branch under "Psychology" and "Gender Studies")
Kinokuniya, Ngee Ann City branch, Orchard Road (stocks Chinese-language gay literature)
Sunny Bookstore, Far East Plaza, Scotts Road
CHINATOWN
2 Queens Party
Thumper, Goodwood Park Hotel. First Tue monthly is this popular women-only event.
CHINATOWN
Same Café Bar
208 South Bridge Rd (see map), 9842-7849, email. A gay-owned, karaoke club that is especially welcoming to bears, chubs and their admirers. Great sound system to accompany your crooning (dining area is separated from the karaoke room to ensure a quieter space for chatting). Friendly and helpful service. They serve cocktails, "mocktails" (non-alcoholic), beer and wine. Pub and karaoke after 8:30pm until closing.
Comments from Utopians:
"Same Café Bar is also a friendly and 'in' place for lesbians and non-chubs." -- pratt, Mar 20, 2005
A mailing list and networking group for lesbians living in Singapore who are aged 30 and above.
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
Ah Chew Desserts
1 Liang Seah St, #01-11 Liang Seah Place, 6339-8198. One of the jewels on this dining street of preserved heritage shophouses, Ah Chew (gesundheit!) specializes in traditional local happy endings surrounded by pure oriental kitch ambience. Dig into cups of warm almond or black sesame "pudding", mango slices and tapioca balls in coconut milk with crushed ice, or multi-textured taste treats mixed up from ingredients like crunchy water chestnuts, peanut sauce, pungent durian, juicy jack fruit, and green "worms." Closed Mon.
CHINATOWN
Maxwell Food Centre
5-way intersection at Maxwell, Tanjong Pagar, Neil and South Bridge Rds (see map), Chinatown. The crowd at this popular hawker center becomes 50% gay after midnight on clubs nights as partiers from nearby bars and discos refuel.
Red Star (dim sum)
07-23 Blk 54 Chin Swee Rd, 6532-5266. We're going to let you in on a well-kept secret, so promise not to tell anyone, OK? This old fashioned dim sum restaurant is hidden inside of a block of flats near the non-touristy section of Chinatown and is a super popular place with locals for yum cha feasts on a wide selection of goodies carted around the room. Alas, they redecorated in 2007 -- with mundane, mismatched and misguided decor -- wiping out 90% of this restaurant's former retro charm (sorry Wallpaper, you didn't get here fast enough). The only remaining bit of historical kitch is the revolutionary red star motif on the ceiling from way way back when Mao was an icon. Still it' remains an unpretentious place to savor top-notch no-fuss ever-popular taste treats with your good comrades.
Tea Chapter (traditional Chinese tea house)
9A-9B Neil Rd (see map), 6226-1175. 11am-11pm Tue-Sun, 7pm-11pm Mondays. Rustic setting in a restored shophouse. Countless varieties of tea to try, all with properties and poetic names. Learn to prepare tea in the Chinese style. A unique place to relax with a group of friends.
Tong Heng (traditional Chinese pastries)
285 Southbridge Rd (see map), Chinatown, 6223-3649. This foodie shrine serves up more than a dozen types of traditional sweets including their famous diamond-shaped egg custard tart, savory pastries, and seasonal holiday sweets such as Dragon Boat Festival rice dumplings and mid-Autumn mooncakes. Best of all, they spent 6 months researching and producing fabulous wall-mounted panels describing the history of each and every heritage treat. This unpretentious shop is a Singapore superlative.
Village Wok
80/82 Telok Ayer St #01-01, 6743-9743. Their business card says "Singapore's only Old Canton Village cuisine and restaurant cum sauce boutique." We didn't try the cum sauce, but did love their do-it-yourself "wet" spring rolls. You order a variety of delicious ingredients, savory and sweet sauces, plus moist filling that makes these stand out from the average spring roll. After dining, be sure to visit the beautifully restored temple next door and view the diorama of Singapore life when this street was once at the ocean's edge.
ORCHARD ROAD
Newton Circus (hawker center)
Near the Newton MRT station. World-famous and very touristy. Every section of city has its own hawker center. Many regional specialties can be found. Get a table, then order from any booth you fancy. Food paradise.
OTHER AREAS
East Coast Parkway Seafood Centre
Take a taxi. Sit near the ocean at any one of the large open-air establishments (we always go to Red House Seafood, 6442-3112). Great, fresh seafood. Don't miss the sweet and crunchy fried baby squid, pepper crab (ask for female crabs because they come with their own caviar), grilled prawns, and drunken prawns (brought to the table sober, they are dropped, skittering, into a clear bowl containing liquor so that they're feeling no pain when its time for the cooking pot). End the meal with a warm pudding of yam paste and coconut milk topped with ginko nuts.
55 Lorong L Telok Kurau, #01-59/61 Bright Centre (on Lorong L a few shops down from the intersection), 9006-4163, email. This gay and lesbian-run local diner serves hearty, wholesome, home-cooked fare such as soups, salads, pastas, sandwiches, and sweets (try their signature Brownie Popsicle!). There are also dishes to please vegetarians. Very casual and unpretentious. Free Wi-fi, community bookshelf and pet-friendly! Resonably priced. Also available for special events and functions. See map and directions on their website. Utopia Member Discount
Janggut Laksa
57 East Coast Rd, 9889-6576, 9622-1045. Billed as "the original Katong Spoon Laksa", who could argue when presented with a picture perfect bowl of this delish gift to world cuisine. At S$3 per bowl (that's only US$2.) the price is almost as thrilling as the flavors steaming up from the broth. Warm coconut milk with prawn and chili paste accents envelops chewy noodles and bee hoon topped with shrimp slices, tender smoked cockles and savory chopped keffir lime leaf. No shame, must order one more, lah!
2/F 29A Seah Street (in a refurbished shophouse opposite the Bras Brash Complex and next to Raffles Hotel), 6336-7298, FAX 6336-7298, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly concept store that offers killer premium jeans, tees, bags and essential accessories. Brand queens ahoy: they feature Freitag, Tretorn, GSUS, Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair, Headquarter, etc.
#02-10 Wheelock Place. 501 Orchard Road, 6738 0002, FAX none, email. Gay and lesbian-friendly WOOONDERLAND stocks nothing that is run-of-the-mill. Check out their exclusive brands like 55DSL, Dr Denim Jeansmaker, Edwin, Something, Airbag Craftworks and more.
#01-53 Burlington Square (next to Sim Lim Square), 175 Bencoolen St, 6835-9811, email. Pamper yourself and style up your hair before your meet-ups. Their hairstylists are standing by to serve in an exclusive, classic ambience. Gay and lesbian friendly. Utopia Member Discount
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Singapore Gay & Lesbian News
Utopia Member Discount
Janggut Laksa
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