From Singapore to the World: A Journey of Lesbian Love Across The Globe

Hidden in Plain Sight

I grew up in Singapore, a country known for its modernity and progress, but also one where traditional values still hold strong. Years ago, it was far from welcoming when it came to the LGBTQ+ community. Homophobia was still prevalent, and I found myself living a double life, hiding a part of myself that I didn't feel safe revealing. Being gay in Singapore wasn't just a personal struggle—it was a societal one.

Growing up, I carefully masked my sexual orientation, fearful of what people would think, say, or do. It felt like I had to tiptoe around everyone's expectations, pretending to be someone I wasn't. Relationships were off-limits—at least, the ones I truly wanted. I spent years burying that side of myself, believing that was the only way to survive in a place that wasn't ready to accept me.

That all changed one night at a work gathering. I'd had a few too many drinks, and the alcohol loosened my tongue. Sitting with two foreigners from my company, I blurted it out, the words spilling out before I could stop them: "I like women." I felt a rush of vulnerability, almost as though a weight had been lifted from me. I had no idea how they would react—whether they'd laugh, judge, or worse.

But instead, they simply accepted it. There was no grand moment of shock, no judgmental comments. Just acceptance. And in that moment, I realized how much I had been holding myself back, hiding my truth out of fear. It was the first time I had said it out loud, and somehow, it didn't feel as terrifying as I had imagined.

That night changed something in me. It was the start of a journey—a journey of self-acceptance and the slow, sometimes painful, process of coming out of hiding. While Singapore still had a long way to go, I realized that I didn't need to wait for the country to change before I could start being true to myself.