08/01/2007
Gay Kissing Exhibit Banned by Singapore Censors
Singapore's Media Development Authority have denied organizers of Singapore's LGBT "Indignation" Pride festival a license to show a photo exhibition of gay men and lesbians kissing, according to the festival's founder Alex Au, who also shot the photographs. They were told of the denial two days before the exhibition was to begin.
The West Australian reports that the show reportedly consists of 80 shots of fully-clothed models kissing. The license was denied becuase the board said the photos "promote a homosexual lifestyle."
Said Au: "It's absurd to think that gay people do not also kiss, and that representation of such a reality would be subversive. There is a very stereotypical representation of gays and lesbians as deviants and I think it is important to correct the stereotype."
Instead of the planned exhibition, a "Kiss and Tell" slideshow of the photos and talk will take place on nine evenings prior to the evening's scheduled events. This type of presentation does not require a permit.
In addition to the talk, participants will also be allowed to have their photos taken...kissing, of course.
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 9:10 AM EST by Andy in Alex Au, Art & Design, Censorship, Gay Pride, Gay Rights, Kiss, News, Photography, Singapore | Permalink
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Perhaps the best way to change the bias in Singapore, is to have all GLBT people and their friends to boycott travel to Singapore.
If there is one thing that rules in Singapore it is the almighty dollar.
Posted by: Lars | Aug 1, 2007 9:25:40 AM
Good idea, Lars.
Another thought I had was for the organizers of the exhibition to use blank canvasses in place of the planned photos to illustrate the point that their art has been censored. It would really be cool to have the people who were in the photos to stand in front of each of the blank canvasses and show what the censored photo would have shown.
Posted by: Jonathon | Aug 1, 2007 10:04:35 AM
So velly solly.
Posted by: General Tsao's Cat | Aug 1, 2007 12:06:12 PM
I was privileged to be one of the models. I was visiting Singapore with my husband, and discovered that a shoot was being held while I was there. I know Alex Au well, so asked whether Caucasians were welcome, and he said, "Come on down!"
I enjoyed it; I was kissed by two absolutely wonderful young men (no tongues tho...) and was looking forward to seeing the exhibition. Perhaps Alex will share the presentations.
Posted by: Chris | Aug 1, 2007 3:43:45 PM