Record 28,000 gather at Hong Lim Park for annual Pink Dot rally

At 7.45pm, they all came together and held up torches to form the traditional "pink dot". -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE  
At 7.45pm, they all came together and held up torches to form the traditional "pink dot". -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE  
At 7.45pm, they all came together and held up torches to form the traditional "pink dot". -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE  
Participants dressed in various shades of pink were treated to performances by local artistes and also heard from seven speakers about issues such as social acceptance of homosexuality. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE  

SINGAPORE - A light drizzle did not dampen the spirits of the 28,000 people who gathered at Hong Lim Park on Saturday for the seventh Pink Dot event.

The number set a new record for the annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rally, which promotes the "freedom to love" regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Last year, 26,000 people turned up.

Participants dressed in various shades of pink were treated to performances by local artistes and also heard from seven speakers - including Mr Alvin Tan, an HIV-positive gay man, and transgender Christopher Khor - about issues such as social acceptance of homosexuality.

At 7.45pm, they all came together and held up torches to form the traditional "pink dot".

yanliang@sph.com.sg

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