THE INITIATIVE: proud spaces
Female Singapore|August 2024
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IN SINGAPORE HAS A PERMANENT, PHYSICAL SPACE WHERE ITS MEMBERS CAN HEAD TO ANYTIME OF THE YEAR TO SEEK BOTH ADVICE AND SOLACE, NETWORK, ATTEND ACTIVITIES THAT EDUCATE AND EMPOWER THEM, AND EVEN STAGE THEIR OWN.
ROHAIZATUL AZHAR
THE INITIATIVE: proud spaces

Head down to Alexandra Road one of these days and you'll likely be struck by the fifth-floor windows of one of the industrial buildings on it, across which hang pink fairy lights spelling out the word "proud".

Proud or more specifically, Proud Spaces - is the name of the organisation that resides in the space to which they belong. Proud is also how its founders feel - it's unmistakable from their explanation of what the 1,500-sq-ft location, which opened this March, is all about.

"There are more than 80 LGBTQ+ community groups in Singapore, and this is a place for them to meet, network and learn from one another. I think that's something we've never really had before and something we really need here in Singapore," says Alan Seah, advertising whiz and a founding member of Pink Dot SG who's on the Proud Spaces executive committee, or exco. Chiming in and reinforcing his message is theatre veteran and fellow exco member Harris Zaidi: "Having a symbolic physical space that says 'We're here 365 days a year' is important. This physical presence shows we're a part of this nation. We're visible and we're supporting one another."

On Google, Proud Spaces is described as offering "safe, welcoming spaces for Singapore's LGBTQ+ community and allies to gather, collaborate, and hold events". "Events space" or even "community centre" would, however, be terrible misnomers. Step inside and you'll immediately notice the high ceilings and roomy layout that's accented by a charming mishmash of furniture and artwork - nearly all of which can be moved around to cater to different needs and events. According to centre manager Joanne Chen, this flexibility - along with how most of the whole space has been designed was the result of input solicited from 40 LGBTQ+ community groups over the past year. This is a place that's not just for the people, but also by the people.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FEMALE SINGAPOREView all
A Not So Common Scent
Female Singapore

A Not So Common Scent

For the first time, the singular house of Hermes has launched a chypre perfume fragrance type known for its complexity and dualistic nature a that comes in a first-of-its-kind bottle, no less. Keng Yang Shuen finds out more about Barenia, Hermes's latest scent that hit stores recently, from the brand's in-house perfumer Christine Nagel.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
Strange Love
Female Singapore

Strange Love

The six names in this story create wildly different works that tend to blur the boundaries among disparate disciplines. All have little in common except one thing: a certain wondrousness and sense of curiosity that inspire audiences to look at familiar things anew. Keng Yang Shuen reports.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 2024
The artist
Female Singapore

The artist

Johnny Depp is certainly far from the conventional leading man: the iconically quirky on-screen roles, the rock musician persona (he was a guitarist before becoming an actor), the unexpected neoexpressionist portraits in 2022 (these paintings of cultural heroes ranging from AI Pacino to Elizabeth Taylor sold out in a day), and of course the title of being Dior's long-standing poster boy for its wilderness-inspired flagship men's perfume Sauvage for nine years and counting.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2024
spirited away
Female Singapore

spirited away

Collaborations with the art world have become a trusted way of injecting novelty into fashion.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Showtime
Female Singapore

Showtime

Shaggy, floor-sweeping, candy-coloured faux fur coats. A tuxedo suit with exaggerated proportions that's a nod to Marlene Dietrich. Bondage-inspired evening gowns. One would think that a collaboration fronted by a contemporary label would mean tempering down on the drama, but the Bimba Y Palomo collection, a tie-up between the fun-loving Bimba Y Lola and the red-carpet provocateur Palomo Spain, more than doubles down on it. Here, the latter's creative director Alejandro Gomez Palomo gives an exclusive interview on keeping the dream of dressing up alive.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2024
Glam Rocks
Female Singapore

Glam Rocks

Lying At The Heart Of Celine Beaute, The First Cosmetics Line From The House Of Celine, Is A Decidedly Romantic Notion: That Makeup Should Be A Luxurious Ritual.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
mother!
Female Singapore

mother!

FOR AN EDITION CENTRED AROUND NOSTALGIA, HOW COULD WE NOT HEAR FROM THE ONES WHO'VE SEEN THEIR RESPECTIVE INDUSTRIES CHANGE OVER TIME? SIX RENOWNED AND BELOVED CULTURAL AUTHORITIES IN FASHION, DESIGN AND CULTURE IN SINGAPORE SHARE WHAT THEY'VE LEARNT, WHAT THEY MISS AND WHAT WHAT KEEPS THEM GOING.

time-read
6 mins  |
September 2024
the art of reflection
Female Singapore

the art of reflection

DICTIONARY.COM DEFINES NOSTALGIA AS \"A WISTFUL DESIRE TO RETURN IN THOUGHT OR IN FACT TO A FORMER TIME IN ONE'S LIFE, TO ONE'S HOME OR HOMELAND, OR TO ONE'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS\". KENG YANG SHUEN ZEROES IN ON FIVE SINGAPORE ARTISTS INTERPRETING THIS OFTEN-INTANGIBLE QUALITY AS WELL AS THE NOTION OF TIME AND MEMORY ONLY TO EVOKE POIGNANCY, CURIOSITY AND EVEN PLENTY OF LAUGHS.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2024
thank you for the memories
Female Singapore

thank you for the memories

GEN Z IS OFTEN SAID TO BE A NOSTALGIA-INFATUATED BUNCH. THE SIX DIGITAL NATIVES FEATURED HERE LIVE UP TO THAT REPUTATION WITH THEIR COLLECTION OF CLOTHES, ACCESSORIES, TOYS, OBJECTS AND MORE THAT DATE BACK TO A TIME IN WHICH THEY WERE GROWING UP OR IN SOME CASES HAVE NEVER EVEN LIVED THROUGH. PAIGE BOON GETS THEM TO OPEN UP THEIR ARCHIVES AND ABOUT THEIR LOVE OF YESTERYEAR.

time-read
7 mins  |
September 2024
Super Natural
Female Singapore

Super Natural

Who Better To Tell Us More About The N°1 De Chanel Revitalising Eye Serum - The Latest Addition To Chanel's N°1 De Chanel Skincare Collection That Promises To Give Peepers A Fresh, "Wide Awake" Look-than The Maison's Doe-eyed Ambassador And Face Of The Line, Minji Of Newjeans?

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024