Dear Straight People

Dear Straight People is an LGBT media platform based in Singapore. Since its launch, Dear Straight People has gained prominence as one of Asia's leading LGBT publications.[1]

History

Founded by Sean Foo in July 2015, Dear Straight People first made a name for itself through its coming out stories, which included notable public figures such as Paralympic medalist Theresa Goh, influencer Edison Fan, actor Steven David Lim, actress Deborah Sim and the host of Drag Race Thailand, Pangina Heals.

Collaborations

Dear Straight People has collaborated with various LGBTQ+ organizations and groups over the years.

Notable collaborations include partnerships with the LGBTQ+ counseling center Oogachaga and the sex workers' rights group Project X, aimed at raising funds and awareness for their respective missions.[2]

Additionally, the platform has actively engaged in collaborations with companies to support Pride campaigns. In 2021, Dear Straight People partnered with Naumi Hotel Singapore to produce a pride campaign featuring a real-life married gay couple.[3] The campaign was noted for being the 'first time a hotel in Singapore has done such a high-profile paid partnership with an LGBTQ+ couple'.[4]

Notable productions

In 2017, Dear Straight People produced a music video for an LGBT cover of the Kit Chan song Home, performed by bisexual singer Lew Loh, which garnered attention and sparked discussions in Singapore.[5] Later that year, Dear Straight People organized a photo shoot called #Reasons4Repeal in support of the repeal of Section 377A. The photo shoot featured over 70 individuals, including former Mediacorp actor Julian Hee.

In 2019, the platform produced the documentary series "Same Love," consisting of three episodes showcasing same-sex couples in Singapore. The series premiered on "Dear Straight People's" YouTube channel on February 11, 2019. The first episode, featuring an openly gay Malay couple with an accepting mother, gained widespread attention and sparked controversy in Malaysia.[6]

Getaway

In 2022, Dear Straight People produced Getaway, which made history as Singapore's first gay Boys Love web drama series.[7] Comprising 5 episodes, Getaway featured an openly queer cast from Singapore and Thailand.[7]

Getaway was a hit, with its first episode garnering over 2 million views on YouTube to date. In addition, the series was nominated for Content of the Year at the 2023 edition of Singapore's national broadcaster Mediacorp's content creator awards, The Pinwheels.[8]

Following Getaway's popular reception, Taiwan-based LGBT streaming service GagaOOLala purchased the rights to stream the series on their platform. On 28 September 2023, Getaway premiered on GagaOOLala.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Sean Foo, founder of Dear Straight People, on running one of Asia's most popular LGBTQ+ media platforms". Tatler. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Sex workers in S'pore tell their stories of true love and familial acceptance". Mothership. 2 Feb 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Naumi Hotel SG spotlights real life same sex couple in campaign with Dear Straight People". Marketing Interactive. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  4. ^ "6 LGBTQ+ Ad Campaigns In Singapore That Showed Allyship Even Before 377A Was Repealed". TSL Media. 25 Aug 2022. Retrieved 25 Aug 2022.
  5. ^ "Someone made a LGBT cover of "Home", "We Are Against Pink Dot" members do not appreciate it". Mothership. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Watch this couple's family react when they come out in a country where being gay is illegal: Says". LGBTQ Nation. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Singapore's Dear Straight People drops gay drama set in Bangkok: Coconuts". Coconuts. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  8. ^ "The Pinwheels 2023: Here are the finalists for Mediacorp's awards for digital content creators". CNA Lifestyle. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  9. ^ "'Getaway' Is Coming To GagaOOLala on September 28!: BL Tai". BL Tai. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.

Official website