About

Synopsis

I Will Survive: Personal gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender stories in Singapore brings together real-life experiences of love, grace, faith, dignity and courage from 21 ordinary people who have survived extraordinary circumstances.

Prefacing these stories are contributions from 5 local commentators who share their personal reflections on the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities in Singapore. They are: Mrs Juliana Toh, from the Counselling and Care Centre; Reverend  Yap Kim Hao, former Methodist Bishop of Singapore; transgender activist Ms Leona Lo; and former Nominated Members of Parliament Ms Braema Mathi and Mr Siew Kum Hong.

The book also contains a glossary of the common terms used to describe the diversity within the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, and a listing of relevant community and professional resources in Singapore.

The editor’s proceeds from sales of the book have been donated to Oogachaga, the Pelangi Pride Centre and IndigNation. Oogachaga is a counselling, support and personal development organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals. Pelangi Pride Centre is a LGBT community space and resource centre in Singapore, with a library collection of fiction and non-fiction books of LGBT interests. IndigNation is an annual series of free events that showcase the diversity of the LGBT community in Singapore.

To quote the visionary Harvey Milk,

“It’s about giving people out there hope. You’ve gotta give them hope.”

There is hope. We will not remain invisible forever. Like it or not, we will survive.

About the editor

I’m Leow Yangfa, editor of the e-book (published by Monsoon Books in December 2011) & the print book (published by Math Paper Press in April 2013). I also manage this website. Professionally trained as a social worker, I’ve spent most of my adult life involved in social services. In Singapore I’ve previously worked in a large statutory organisation and a suicide prevention agency, and volunteered with an HIV/ AIDS group. Overseas, I’ve volunteered with a charity for the homeless in London. Since June 2013 (after the publication of the first print edition) I work full-time at Oogachaga, Singapore’s community-based, non-profit, professional organisation for LGBTQ+ individuals, couples and families.

An uncle to 5 beautiful girls, I also happen to identify as gay and queer, and my own coming out story was included in SQ 21: Singapore Queers in the 21st Century [first published in 2006, with a reprint in 2018].

Check out the Media page to take a look at some of the coverage we’ve had.