The rights, as well as the progression of the LGBTQ community,  has grown immensely over the past few years here at UWC. But when it comes to being the public face of action, is our school pushing voices back into the closet?

UWCSEA is known worldwide, for its diverse, inclusive community. The school’s mission itself, states its desire to unite different individuals in our society to create a future. But when it comes to addressing politically challenged views in Singapore, as well as dealing with the Singapore government, our school is taking large leaps forwards, but taking small steps back.

The LGBTQ community here at UWC has continued to thrive, as well as establish a voice to project to members of our community. But I wanted to discover the unheard voices of different members past, or present here at UWC, and discover if our school truly does support, as well as establish a platform for these members of our community outside of our enclosed community, and in the public eye.

Yes indeed our school has created multiple groups, as well as support systems for these students within our community but after talking to Sean Lacey, one of the only openly gay teachers here in our school, it looks like our school is cautious when facing the government, and the Singaporean community.

“You’re right we haven’t come as far as we think we have in every facet.” Sean Lacey speaks out about some barriers he has to remain within when projecting this cause beyond school walls, As he is one of the only relatable sources of support in this school. Though he addresses that it goes for both ways and that we also have grown our mindsets immensely since he began working here more than 8 years ago, we have also not reached our full potential. He describes it as our school “having their hands tied back.” As there are strict boundaries on how far our school can push and promote the LGBTQ community in Singapore.

The LGBTQ service group in UWC has been a prominent stall for raising awareness during family festivals for many years. But In the recent year of 2018, as public citizens of Singapore were also attending the festival the service group was no longer allowed to have a prominent public stall in the festival. Instead, they were given an option to be placed in the primary school library, being isolated. “I felt like if a complaint was coming, we had to go back in the closet” Mr. Lacey felt as if this was a significant defeat in the progress made alongside this community. But throughout the interview, he also expressed the triumphant progress made within the small community, which he indicates is a change in the right direction.

Matt Lulu, now a graduate of UWCSEA was an openly gay student when attending this school. He says “my experience is one of a not too flamboyant gay male – a distinctly less targeted community of the LGBTQ initialism – and therefore I cannot speak on behalf of the inclusivity of this entire community, but more my subjective experience.” He addresses that his experience being an openly gay male here in our community was definitely not as harsh and difficult compared to many gay/trans males in schools. He talks about his friendships, and how they were a reliable support system for him.

He believes that UWC does have a fear of the opinion of the outside world, and how families, as well as new prospects of the school,  will view their school differently when publicly addressing these topics. “With a student body composed of such a multitude of nationalities, sexual orientations, genders, and religions, it seems impossible for UWC to establish and force a single public stance on the LGBTQ community.” He implies that having such a wide range of religions and cultures makes it difficult to publicly display opinions towards this community, as well as expand beyond our school as they feel the need to be cautious of things they address, as well as support.

After conversing with these two individuals it seems that our community inside the school is nothing more than supportive, it is not enough of a motivation, and inspiration to the LGBTQ students themselves, and that through taking public action they would be able to allow these students to make more connections to who they are as an individual.

After speaking to a student in Grade 9, who shall remain anonymous, she talked about the numerous changes she was facing in this school once coming out as a bisexual in 2017. “because I had this label people immediately treated me differently.” Though this is mostly due to the mindset of the students themselves, she talks about how she believes the students require a greater understanding of the LGBTQ community, as their actions did not seem to reflect this.

She discusses how she believes UWC “do what’s in their capacity.” But that they are playing it too safe. Being such a socially aware school, she believes that UWC is in fact very obedient to the Singaporean government, but even so, as such a socially and politically active school, we should be taking greater action. She described it as “a continuous loop” lacking change, and excitement.

Going through a bumpy experience with the outcome of others around her regarding her sexuality, she wishes that by taking more impactful action for the students who feel they are lacking a voice, that the atmosphere and understandings of the students will broaden. Until UWC begins to face their fears, and break through the boundaries, our closets will remain tightly locked.

So what now? The school should take in consideration, taking small steps and starting out small. Matt, as well as the anonymous student both,  stated that developing the understanding of the children regarding this topic will hopefully spark an awakening to convince higher positions in this school to take greater action outside of school boundaries. But, Sean Lacey mentions that the school is already taking steps to create a local support group for parents of the LGBTQ community for people in and outside our school community. This shows great promise to our school’s goals to unite all members of our society. But moving forward, taking initiative in national events and supporting this incredible community such as the pink dot march, will not only inspire our community, but set us as school as a leader of advocacy for this flourishing social change, but put us front and centre, opening closets wide open for the whole nation to see.