Dear reader,
- How might Trump’s tariffs and threats affect the upcoming GE?
- GE update, from the PSP’s narrowing focus to the WP’s expansionism
- A Palestinian book launch and community event
- Are “finfluencers” charlatans or prophets?
- The UK acknowledges a 1948 atrocity in Malaya, but stops short of an apology
- The appeal of bilingualism, from classroom to stage
- Singapore’s cyborg cockroaches search through rubble in Myanmar
And more, in our weekly digest. Read it now.
Essay: “Whither the queer in Singapore politics?” In January, Deryne Sim, a lawyer and key figure in Singapore’s queer community, went on a walkabout with K Shanmugam, law and home affairs minister. This fuelled speculation that she might be running in the GE, which was followed by some horrid bigotry, both by anti-queer groups and a political party.
“What impact might queer issues and candidates have on the upcoming election? As evidenced by Jom’s voter sentiment survey, the subject is far less politically pressing for the majority of voters, who are typically more concerned with traditional ‘bread-and-butter’ issues, such as cost-of-living and housing. That said, there are segments, like the youth, who place a relatively higher premium on it. Furthermore, Singaporeans are rarely single-issue voters, and a candidate’s sexual orientation (or position on LGBTQ issues) may inform how they vote in different ways.”
In his fifth piece for Jom, Daryl Yang, a lawyer and social justice advocate, explores everything from the constitutional origins of minority protection in democracies to the problematic nature of repeal in Singapore. He also takes a closer look at the machinations within political parties here—especially the Workers’ Party—as they manage tensions between their own conservative and secular factions.With queer rights, alongside the more obvious bigotry, there’s a lot of subtle messaging to be observed from the positions of parties and politicians. But away from the politicking, Daryl ends by reminding us about our own individual power, and agency, to change things in society.
Read his piece here.
Jom berubah,
Sudhir
Editor-in-chief, Jom
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