The Economist

The EconomistJuly 21 st 2018 Asia 29

2 economic blowto the CookIslands.

Further complicating matters the

Cook Islands after suffering the effects of

profligacy in the mid- 1990 s has since im-

posed on itself some of the world’s tough-

est fiscal constraints. These state that pub-

lic debt be kept under 35 % of GDP even as

taxrevenueis cappedat 25 % of GDP.Yet tax

revenue is projected to breach the ceiling

this year and the debt-to- GDPratio is inch-

ing closer to the upper bound. So raising

taxes orissuingbonds are unlikely to be re-

alistic alternatives ifforeign aid is cut.

Given these challenges and the reli-

ance ofthe OECDon countries’ own calcu-

lations of their GNI Cook Islands officials

maywanttocook thebookstoavoidcross-

ing the high-income threshold. But Mark

Brown the finance minister dismisses this

possibility. He says that massaging the GNI

data “would not be acceptable to the

OECD nor do we believe that it would be

in the best interests of the Cook Islands”

he says.

Mr Brown concedes however that “a

more gradual timeline of say the early

2020 s” wouldbepreferableforjoining the

ranks of the rich. That would allow more

timefor the economyto achieve“self-suffi-

ciency”. One bright spot is the country’s

vastseabed mineraldeposits.The Cook Is-

lands is reckoned to have up to a sixth of

the world’s reserves of cobalt an element

used in batteries and jet engines. But large-

scale mining is still a long way off. Well be-

fore then the OECDwill have made a deci-

sion. According to an OECD spokesperson

if a country “meets the criteria for gradua-

tion itcannot refuse graduation.” 7

B

LACK-and-white photographs in the

foyer of an arts cinema are filled with

smiling pouting and laughing faces—

young and old of various races. The por-

traits are of members of Singapore’s lesbi-

an gay bisexual and transgender ( LGBT)

community. The fact that those pictured

are willing to be identified publicly in such

a conservative country is part of what

makes the display striking. A grandson of

Lee Kuan Yew the country’s modern foun-

der is among them as is a Paralympian

medallist and a policewoman. Leslie Kee a

Singaporean photographer who lives in Ja-

pan took the 150 - odd pictures for the exhi-

bition called “Out in Singapore”. It is one

event of many which comprise a festival

linked to PinkDot a rallyon July 21 stwhich

thousands are expected to attend.

Pink Dot has been held annually since

2009. It is the city-state’s version of a pride

celebration and istightlyregulated (partici-

pants in last year’s event are pictured). For-

eigners are banned from attending. Organ-

isers must spend heavily on barricades

and guards to meet the government’s secu-

rity requirements which were tightened

two years ago. Foreign firms such as Goo-

gle and Barclays are no longer allowed to

sponsor it. About 100 local companies

have offered to back this year’s Pink Dot

down from 120 last year. But this is the first

year that involves a cultural festival with

talks film screenings and even a job fair in

the build-up to the rally. Activists say it is

creating enormous excitement. More than

twice asmanypeople applied to have their

pictures taken as were needed for the pho-

tographydisplay says Alan Seah an adver-

tising executive involved in organising

both the exhibition and the Pink Dot rally.

“Ten years ago it would have been a lot

harder forpeople to come forward.”

Among the portraits is one of Mr Seah

and Laurindo Garcia whom he plans to

marry in Australia later this year. Their un-

ion will not be officially recognised in Sin-

gapore. Under section 377 (A) of the coun-

try’s penal code—introduced in the 1930 s

by British colonial administrators—a man

convicted of committing “any act of gross

indecency” (ie sex) with another man is li-

able to two years in prison.

In practice the law is not actively en-

forced. Butitsexistence helpsto explain en-

trenched discrimination in Singapore. For

example the Registrar of Societies refuses

registration of LGBT groups (including a

homeless shelter for transgender people).

Mainstream media shun positive portray-

als of LGBTfolk. There is no legislation to

prevent discrimination against them at

work. Same-sex couples find it difficult to

gain access to public housing. Their chil-

dren are deemed illegitimate which

means they are not entitled to welfare

benefits. An “unwritten policy” bars gay

couples from adopting children in Singa-

pore. Treatments purportingto turn people

straight are legal.

The government tries to balance the de-

mands of rainbow activists on the one

hand and ofmainly Christian and Islamic

conservative groups on the other. Its vague

statements muddle matters still further.

When asked about his own views on sec-

tion 377(A) last year Lee Hsien Loong the

prime minister was typicallynon-commit-

tal. He said his view involved an “uneasy

compromise” that he was prepared to live

with “until social attitudes change”. Poll-

ing on the issue is infrequent but a survey

conducted five years ago found that 53 % of

Singaporeans “accept gay lifestyles” but

that 55 % reject same-sexmarriage. Younger

Singaporeans tend to be more understand-

ing than their elders. In America where

same-sex marriage has been legal since

201 5 polls suggest 6 2% ofadultsapprove of

it. In Britain where it has been permitted

since 2014  support is even higher.

Singapore’s competitive instincts may

help to change attitudes. Its status as a fi-

nancial centre depends on its ability to at-

tract bigbanks and other large internation-

al companies. Talented LGBTemployees of

such firms especially those who are mar-

ried are put off by Singapore’s strictures.

Hong Kong Singapore’s rival as a financial

hub is more appealing. This month after

years of legal battling its highest court or-

dered immigration officials to award spou-

sal visas to same-sex expatriate couples.

Singaporean companiesare becominga lit-

tle bolder on the issue too. Old Chang Kee

a Singaporean street-food chain dared to

support London’s pride event this year.

And Poh Heng Jewellery a local brand re-

ceived praise recently for using a gay cou-

ple in its shopfront advertising.

Despite Singapore’s illiberal reputation

its LGBTcommunity has a vibrant history.

Becca D’Bus a local drag performer points

out that for decades Bugis Street a busy

shopping area was famous for the artistry

of its drag shows. That came to an end in

the 1980 s after a government clampdown.

But Ms D’Bus’s comedy and wild outfits—

sometimes involvingnetting spandexand

wigs made of luminous plastic tubing—at-

tract huge audiences at festivals and film

nights. She also appears at events such as

Pink Dot and other more private gather-

ings. Ms D’Bus says however that many

young drag performers in Singapore still

cannot imagine telling their families what

they do. Her advice to them on coming out

suggests the hazards they face. “If it’s not

safe foryou don’tdo it” she says. “Ifyou’re

going to lose a roof over your head or not

have food to eat don’t do it.” 7

LGBT rights

More pink less

blush

SINGAPORE

Attitudes to homosexualityin

Singapore are shifting. Policies are not

Out and proud in Singapore