What are 5 uneasy situations lesbian couples face in Singapore?
By: Lgbtq Whisper
Tags: LGBTQ, Gay, Lesbian, LGBT, Singapore

Hey everyone! I am Ashley. I am a bi-sexual, but I am now no longer interested in guys romantically anymore. So, perhaps I am more of a lesbian now?

Anyway, I am a Singaporean. And no, Singapore is not part of China, but I am off topic now.

For those of you who do not know, LGBTQ matters are not legalised here. Having said that, here are some situations I feel especially awkward with my partner as a lesbian couple in Singapore.

1. Public Display of Affection

The masses here are still not exactly open minded about LGBTQ couples walking on the streets. Sometimes, when getting intimate in public, there will be stares and whispers from people surrounding.

There was once while walking in a shopping mall with my girlfriend, another couple is behind us. The boyfriend says to the girlfriend, “They are lesbians”. Then, it was followed by some giggles and tension between the air…

Yes, Singapore has gone a long way from years ago in this topic, but, it is still very true that most Singaporeans, especially the older ones, are not entirely comfortable with LGBTQ matters here.

One common way to access if a person actually is fully accepting of LGBTQ matters, is to ask “If your daughter or son is, will you accept that?” Because, many people will be rather okay to accept their relatives or friends being in the LGBTQ community, but, when the situation is really on their hands, the mentality gets more critical and tough.

2. Booking for a Romantic Dinner at a Restaurant

Most restaurants in Singapore still do not make arrangements for lesbian couples. Yes, we can make a reservation claiming that it is for a couple, but, upon arrival, there are bound to have some awkward stares and questions to be expected.

3. Buying Flowers

This is my personal experience and I am sure some of you might have similar encounters. For some reasons, vendors who sell flowers love to ask who are you buying the flowers for. I know, I know, maybe they do so to recommend accordingly. However, I feel a little uneasy to tell a stranger that I am getting flowers for my girlfriend. There will be a moment of shock, then a moment of fake laughters, and then some awkwardly forced conversations, and finally, it is over. Well, at least that is true for my case.

4. Carrying the Flowers when in Public

If you thought the uneasiness ended upon buying the flowers, it only gets worse.

My girlfriend, and even myself too, feel it is uneasy for her to carry the flowers openly as we shop in public. Even the intention is romantic and beautiful, it cannot help to be noticeable to the public as a couple. I might think too much in this situation, but, it is so true that people do look a lot more wheb carrying the flowers…

5. Introducing Friends

Before you think that it is easy for people who are out of closet to introduce their lesbian partner to other friends, I need to wake you up to this very true matter that it is never ever easy, at least here in Singapore.

Why do I say so? Because, it is still a topic of gossip here believe it or not. If I introduce my girlfriend to my colleagues for example, there is a high chance that this will spread like poison. Having said that, I still feel that people generally is accepting, just to what extent.