'It's simple, it's just love' A 78-year-old Bugis Street old-timer tells her story

Many of us would help an elderly homeless woman if we saw her sleeping in HDB void decks but how many of us would still be willing to help if we found out that that elderly woman was once a man?
Pink Dot SG’s latest campaign video tells the story of Rose, a 78-year old transgender woman who faced great adversity from her family, community and the man she loved because of her gender identity.
Having been turned away from home at a young age, Rose found temporary solace with her husband who loved and married her knowing that she is a transgender woman. However, two years later, her husband suddenly abandoned her after his mother found out that her daughter-in-law had had sex reassignment surgery in the past, and is unable to bear a child.
Until recently, the divorced Rose was also homeless and took to sleeping in HDB void decks at night.
Rose finally found a home at the T Project shelter – a local shelter that specifically serves the transgender community. Although Rose was initially reluctant to stay at the shelter, she has since found friendship, safety, comfort and happiness there.
The short video also features June Chua, the founder of the T Project. June describes how Rose only asked for a simple meal, a beer and to watch TV when June offered to help her – very simple things which we take for granted.
Unlike Rose, June’s family supported her decision to embrace her gender identity. Passionate for her community and understanding that not every transgender individual is as fortunate as she is, June started the T Project – an organisation that seeks to empower and support the transgender community through advocacy and direct action.
Watch the video yourself and be inspired by these brave women. Keep a tissue at hand though, the feels are strong in this one.
[fvplayer src=”http://youtube.com/watch?v=AqgepwcBkm8″]
Pink Dot Sg is a non-profit movement started by a group of individuals who care deeply about the place that LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) have in Singapore. In their annual event held in Hong Lim Park since 2009, Pink Dot brought together people who believe that everyone deserves the freedom to love.
The event which attracted 2,500 participants in 2009 had grown substantially to attract 28,000 supporters to its event in its 6th year. Many corporate sponsors too have thrown their weight behind the organisers of the event.
The movement is not without its detractors. Last year, a grounds-up movement consisting mainly of fundamentalist Christians and Muslim spoke up against Pink Dot. The movement led by prominent religious figures like Reverend Lawrence Khong, senior pastor of Faith Community Baptist Church, started the ‘Wear White’ campaign to counter Pink Dot.
Last year, the Pink Dot movement expressed its disappointment with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s views on same sex marriage, and invited him to attend their event at Hong Lim Park to “meet with the individuals, families, and loving couples who form a vibrant part of Singapore’s social fabric.”
In announcing their event scheduled for 4 June 2016, Pink Dot said that it got massive support from a record number of Corporate Sponsors for the event this year. Pink Dot Sg also revealed their event ambassadors for this year.
The video of the Bugis Street old-timer is the second in the series of video clips titled ‘Pink Dot 2016: Our Heroes’. Their first video clip is featured in this article: ‘Pastor slams Pink Dot’s video as ‘deceptive’ attempt at normalising same-sex relationships‘.