On January 26, 2021, three individuals were arrested after holding a protest against transphobia outside the Ministry of Education (MOE) building
Such demonstrations are almost unheard of in Singapore, thanks to the Public Order Act, so the news made waves. Inspired by the images of five protestors holding placards and multi-coloured flags, digital publication Observatory SG collaborated with photographer Lenne Chai to continue the conversation about LGBTQIA rights in local schools.
What would a school that supported, even encouraged, freedom of expression and civil discourse look like? The photo series, titled BELACAN, gives us an idea. In this imaginary Observatory High School, students stage peaceful demonstrations in response to the arrests of the protestors outside the MOE building. They have a student activist group called B.E.L.A.C.A.N. which rallies students to discuss equality and queerness, promote allyship, and effect change.
It's a fresh and light-hearted reminder of the need for open discourse and action to make schools safe and inclusive for all. To check out the fantasy yearbook yourself, visit Observatory SG's Instagram and get the full story on its website.
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