PRESS RELEASE
MAY 2, 2018

ABOUT OUR STORY IS DRUG-FREE

Oogachaga, in collaboration with SG Narratives, jointly present Singapore’s first-ever community-led drug prevention campaign, Our Story is Drug-Free, for the local LGBTQ+ community.

We have become acutely aware of the role played by recreational and addictive drugs in our community, and we are deeply concerned. We feel it is time for us to rewrite our queer narrative.

THE SITUATION

We are very concerned that recreational and addictive drug use has entered Singapore’s LGBTQ+ community. Although we lack detailed local statistics, international trends from cities like Bangkok, Hong Kong, Taipei, Sydney, London and New York point to worrying developments.

We know the impact these drugs can have on the health of individuals, families and our community. We are also worried about the ease at which such drugs can be procured by our community.

OUR APPROACH

Our Story Is Drug-Free turns the focus on understanding and acknowledging that Singapore’s LGBTQ+ narrative is so much more than that of drug abuse. It is a multi-faceted one.

We draw inspiration from the community. Our narrative includes stories of Identity, Family, Relationships, Love, and Equality. It is not just told by gay men, it also includes queer women, transgender persons, as well as our allies who stand with us.

SHARE YOUR STORY

OurStoryIsDrugFree.com serves as an online resource hub and a place where Singapore’s LGBTQ+ community will be invited to contribute stories that form their individual experiences. Thereafter, we will collate all submitted stories into a video.

We want to build up an archive of local drug-free LGBTQ+ stories, in hopes that we can all look upon them as a reflection of who we all are.

CAMPAIGN LAUNCH

Meet our Official Storytellers, Theresa Goh (Paralympic medallist), Cassandra Thng (co-founder, transgendersg.com), Shamini Nedumaran (Oogachaga counsellor) and Muhammad Faliqh Bin Abdul Rahman (Oogachaga centre manager), and find out how you too can contribute your story to this campaign and be part of the Drug-Free movement in Singapore’s LGBTQ+ community.

We will be screening a campaign video featuring our Official Storytellers, created especially for this campaign. On-location story video-booths will also be set up where you can instantly record short snippets of your candid reaction to words associated with the LGBTQ+ Community. There will also be a discussion panel where you can ask us any questions you may have regarding the campaign.

3rd May 2018, Thursday

7pm (please arrive early for registration)

Salesforce Singapore
#13-01, Suntec Tower Five
5 Temasek Boulevard

S 038985

NOTES FOR EDITORS

OOGACHAGA is a community-based, non-profit, professional organisation working with LGBTQ+ individuals, couples and families in Singapore since 1999.

SG NARRATIVES aims to redefine empathy through honest conversations and highlight the intersection between social issues and personal relationships.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Leow Yangfa, Oogachaga | 6410 9433 | contact@oogachaga.com

Zat, SG Narratives | 9621 5292 | narrativessg@gmail.com