What’s Happening?

In celebration of Pride Month in June, Oogachaga and Peatix are joining hands to make space for valuable conversations. We invite you to join this special makan session about creating a home environment that is safe and affirming for all our LGBTQ+ family members: children, siblings, nieces, nephews, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, spouses and in-laws. Refreshments will be provided at the venue.

When?

There will be two different sessions, please sign up for the one that best suits you!

• Morning Session : 1 June 2024, Saturday, 10am to 12pm
  Suitable for: People who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community
  (ie: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, or gender-diverse)
• Afternoon Session: 1 June 2024, Saturday, 2pm to 4pm (https://bitesizedconvo3pm.peatix.com)
  Suitable for: People who identify as family members or allies to the LGBTQ+ community

All proceeds from these events will go towards supporting Ooogchaga’s initiatives.

Why?

Local professional experiences by Oogachaga since 1999 show that family relationships are important for many people in Singapore who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning or gender diverse (LGBTQ+). International research also found that when there is rejection from a family member, especially from a parent, LGBTQ+ youth in particular often end up with poor mental health as adults. There might also be links with self harm, suicidal behaviours and addictions related behaviours in adolescence and adulthood.

Seeing as family and food are familiar to many of us here in Singapore, we thought it would be useful to bring us all together to have a conversation and learn from each other, and maybe put together a recipe for LGBTQ+ safety & affirmation at home. Feel free to bring your family members along too!

Who ought to join?

Anyone who is willing and able to have a conversation with us about family, food, and providing a safe and affirming environment for our LGBTQ+ family members.

If you are LGBTQ+ yourself, please sign up for the morning session.

If you have a family member who is LGBTQ+, or identify as an Ally to the LGBTQ+ community, please sign up for the afternoon session.

Because of the nature of our discussion, you do need to be at least 18 years old to participate.

About Oogachaga

Oogachaga is Singapore’s most established, community, professional nonprofit organisation working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals, couples & families since 1999.

The session will be facilitated by Leow Yangfa. He is a registered social worker (RSW 1322), and the executive director of Oogachaga since 2015. He provides counselling to LGBTQ+ individuals, couples and families, including support and information for parents with LGBTQ+ children.

About bite-sized convos:
bite-sized convos is a tiny gathering of minds with plenty of heart. Uniting small groups of people around a simple meal, each hour-long segment comprises a specially curated conversation followed by one-minute pitches from you! This event is brought to you by Peatix.