The Proud Spaces logo.
![The building along housing Proud Spaces. Photo credit :[1].](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/the-singapore-lgbt-encyclopaedia/images/d/dc/ProudSpaces001.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20240822041133)
The building along Alexandra Road housing Proud Spaces. Photo credit Ng Yi-Sheng:[1].
Proud Spaces is an LGBT community centre in Singapore which opened in 2024. It is the second such venue after Pelangi Pride Centre which was established in 2003.
Located in the Redhill area at #05-03, 243 Alexandra Road, just next to Kwan Yam Theng Buddhist Temple, it provides a safe and welcoming space for the LGBT community and its allies to gather, collaborate and hold events.
Occupying 1,500 square feet of double-ceilinged floor space, it comprises two counselling rooms, a board/meeting room, a chic kitchen/pantry and a multipurpose event area big enough to house seated seminars of up to 60 or a standing event of up to 100 persons. Its founders spent close to a year consulting over 30 LGBTQ+ community groups to get to know their needs and how best to support their activities to ensure that the centre would become a space by the community for the community. Within 4.5 months of its opening, it had already hosted over 100 events[2].
Vision[]
Its vision is one of unity, where LGBTQ+ individuals and allies come together to create positive change, support and collaborate with each other, and where everyone can authentically express themselves, find belonging, forge meaningful connections and thrive.
Goals[]
It aims to promote greater collaboration between LGBTQ+ community organisations and individuals in Singapore by creating opportunities for networking, resource sharing, and mutual capacity building.
Another goal is to see a vibrant and thriving ecosystem of Singapore LGBTQ+ organisations, each serving their communities while working together wherever possible to advance our shared goals.
It aspires to be a permanent physical community space, for and by the LGBTQ+ community. It considers itself to be a part of Singapore and actively contributes to its development.
Centre Manager[]
Joanne Chen[]
She/Her
Organising Committee Member, Pink Dot SG (2014 – 2022)
Chen brings to the centre over 10 years of experience as an event specialist across various industries.
In her most recent role, she focused on developing strategies, managing clients and stakeholders, and cultivating and leading a high-performing team to plan and execute impactful community-building events while achieving business growth goals.
As a member of the Pink Dot Organising Committee from 2014 to 2022, Chen played a pivotal role in managing volunteers and event day execution. Under her leadership, she expanded the volunteer pool to over 500 individuals and trained more than 30 volunteer leaders, who were instrumental in ensuring the success of the event each year.
Having witnessed Pink Dot, a community-led movement, change the hearts and minds of Singaporeans over the last decade, Chen is inspired to continue her service through Proud Spaces. Alongside the executive committee, she is dedicated to building a space centered around the LGBTQ+ community, where groups and individuals can grow and thrive together. Executive Committee
Executive Committee[]
Proud Spaces is led by a diverse executive committee consisting of individuals and community group representatives from the Singapore LGBTQ+ community.
Glen Goei[]
He/Him
Theatre and Filmmaker
Co-Founder, Repeal377A and Ready4Repeal
Rain Khoo[]
He/Him
Co-Founder, TransgenderSG
Founder, Dignité Brands
Rei Kurohi[]
She/Her
Committee Member,
Same But Different
Alan Seah[]
He/Him
Co-Founder, Repeal377A and Ready4Repeal
Founding Member,
Clarence Singam[]
He/Him
Director, Sometimes Light
Co-Founder, Oogachaga,
FCC and Indignation
Kathy Teo[]
She/Her
CEO, Xpointo Media
Co-Founder, Q Chamber
Jason Wee[]
He/Him
Founder, Grey Projects
Artist and Writer
Harris Zaidi[]
He/Him
Festival Director, Pink Fest
Open House[]
An open house was held on 15 June 2024 from 11am to 5pm as part of Pink Fest 2024.
(Video by Kathy Teo[3]).
Female Singapore article[]
The magazine Female Singapore featured Proud Spaces in its August 2024 edition.
"The simple yet chic and thoughtful design of Proud Spaces - located in an industrial building on Alexandra Road - was based on feedback solicited from 40 groups in the LGBTQ+ community in Singapore. Tables and chairs are easily moveable, for example, so that rooms can be customised to suit various events. There's a reading corner with queer literature to be read at Proud Spaces only, along with donated non-queer books that are availabel for swopping. Another corner offers free resources from the community, including self-care tips, a guide for parents with trans children and a collection of short essays by locat LGBTQ+ writers. The whole point, says Chen, is to create an environment that's comfortable for a community that previously never had such a resource and was used to congregating in smaller, more private spaces such as one's house."
See also[]
References[]
- The Proud Spaces website:[4].
- https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10107029049116022&set=pcb.10107029049245762
- https://time.com/7210491/lunar-new-year-lgbtq-queer-asians-traditional-celebrations-chosen-family/
- https://www.tiktok.com/@whataweirdvoice/video/7517648702270459144?lang=en
Acknowledgements[]
This article was written by Roy Tan.