Claiming Space: A Spatial and Historical Lens on LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Singapore During Pride Month and Beyond

Kathy Teoh, Global DEIB Director, Arcadis

Kathy Teoh, Global DEIB Director, Arcadis

Kathy Teoh is a highly versatile and accomplished Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) leader with over 20 years of experience across multiple industries including IT, Life Sciences, Maritime and Architectural Design. She has proven expertise in designing and implementing global and regional DEI programs, driving organizational change, building inclusive cultures and promoting equality and social justice. Leveraging strong leadership, strategy development and stakeholder management skills, she delivers measurable impact by aligning DEI initiatives with business objectives.

The story of LGBTQ+ inclusion in Singapore is not just about people—it’s also about place. From colonialera laws to modern-day visibility, the way space has been used, denied and reclaimed by the queer community offers deep insight into Singapore’s evolving social landscape.

Colonial Roots and Spatial Control

Much of Singapore’s legal and spatial landscape was shaped by British colonial rule, including Section 377A, a law criminalizing sex between men. Though rarely enforced in later decades, it created an enduring sense of risk and illegitimacy for LGBTQ+ people occupying both public and private spaces. The law was subsequently repealed in August 2022.

Public expressions of queerness were not just discouraged—they were structurally erased. Bars, clubs and community hubs often operated underground or within discreet networks. Queer individuals learned to navigate the city with caution, always aware of who was watching and what could be reported.

Space as Resistance and Reclamation

The early 2000s marked a turning point. LGBTQ+ Singaporeans began to publicly assert their right to occupy space—with events like Pink Dot SG at Hong Lim Park and IndigNation, the city’s first pride season. Though constrained by regulations (e.g., only citizens and permanent residents can attend Pink Dot), the choice of venue—a legal protest space—was itself symbolic: queerness had entered the public square.

Similarly, informal safe spaces began to emerge:

• Pelangi Pride Centre, founded in 2003, became a community anchor.

• Bars like Tantric, DYMK and others in the Tanjong Pagar area offered rare environments where people could openly socialize.

• Support groups such as Young Out Here provided space—literal and emotional—for LGBTQ+ youth to explore their identities.

Designing Inclusion in Urban Space

Today, the presence of gender-neutral restrooms, inclusive signage and queer- friendly establishments—though still limited—signals a quiet shift. These spatial cues say: You’re safe here. You’re welcome here.

Yet, much of Singapore’s urban planning remains conservative. This ongoing tension between progress and preservation continues to shape how, where and when LGBTQ+ people feel free to claim space.

The Future of Inclusive Space

True inclusion requires more than policy—it requires rethinking how cities are designed and lived in. Inclusion must be spatially experienced, not just spoken of. Urban planners, architects, businesses and civil society all have a role to play in queering the city—by ensuring that public, private and communal spaces reflect the full spectrum of identities that call Singapore home.

As we reflect on the legacy of colonial control over bodies and space, we also look forward: to a Singapore where space is no longer negotiated in silence, but embraced in pride.

As our societies in the world progresses and evolves, let’s ask: Are our cities truly inclusive in how they are designed and experienced? How can planners, leaders and organizations ensure LGBTQ+ folks feel welcome—not just tolerated?

Space matters. Let’s make more of it—for everyone.