Welcome to TheBearProject! We are a local gay community group where size matters. Our events aim to create a friendly environment where bears, cubs, “G-men” and other stocky and big-sized men – as well as the guys who love them – can hang out, exchange ideas and mingle.
Shout-Outs!
"What is straight? A line can be straight, or a street, but the human heart, oh, no, it's curved like a road through mountains." - Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire, 1947
"Despite this, community groups such as People Like Us, Pelangi Pride Centre, TheBearProject, ADLUS, Sayoni, Oogachaga, 5 Degrees, Women’s Nite, SGButterfly, Singapore Queer Straight Alliance, Short Circuit, Young Out There, and others had a banner year of activities, testament to their resilience. They are what make Singapore's gay community so vibrant and unique"
- Fridae's CEO Dr Stuart Koe at Fridae's Milk fundraiser
This information was relayed to me by SaltWetFish from TBP. We feel that this message from A.F.A. is important, especially crucial to partners, friends and family who are sexually active. This is just a reminder to all that the very least we can do is to be responsible to ourselves and our love ones, by USING PROTECTION at all times.
The Message from A.F.A.
*Community Announcement from Action for AIDS*
Dear members of the Singaporean Gay community
Action for AIDS received an email last week about a possible case of infringement of the Infectious Diseases Act (IDA). The complainant emailed to AfA and the Singapore Police Force, stating that he is able to provide pictures and contact number of the accused. (See email below)
We are unable to ascertain the facts of this case at this point of time.
However we would like to highlight this incident and for you to consider the following -
· Under the IDA anyone who knows that he has HIV, or has reason to believe that he has been exposed to HIV, should inform his sex partners before engaging in any sexual activities, and that there might be a risk of contracting HIV from him. Failure to do so can result in criminal charges.
· Unprotected anal sex carries the highest risk of transmitting HIV. If you are not absolutely sure of your sex partner's HIV status, you need to protect yourself by using a condom during any sexual activities.
· Promotion of unprotected anal intercourse under the influence of recreational drugs whether it be on the Internet chat lines or through other ways should not be condoned. It is a sure way of increasing HIV transmission among our community and works against all our interests. AfA would like gay websites to take down such postings
· While most HIV+ gay men have taken measures to protect their partners and themselves, there remains a small number who make deliberate attempts to spread HIV. It is very difficult to identify and pin-point this group of individuals. If you have information about such activities, you should post them on the Internet channels.
There are many reasons why people still engage in unprotected anal sex. While we will try our best to educate and inform, we also hope that other socially-conscious and informed members of the gay community will help to spread the word as well.
We would like to encourage the community to stay vigilant to help curb the spread of virus. Together, we can stop AIDS now.
I am from (deleted). I was tested HIV positive in Singapore last January 2008. I had my two tests before that: September 2007 in [another country] and December 18, 2007 (DSC Clinic in Singapore.); both negative results.
I had unprotected sex with male Chinese Singaporean on December 14. Then tested HIV positive for my employment requirements in end January. I was not able to inform the guy about my health condition because I deleted his contacts in my mobile phone after that meeting. I know it was him who infected me.
Today, I came across him in gay site for singaporean men with this message:
"hi me flex chn (details deleted)..ru into raw chem fuck?"
I would like to believe that he's out there in Singapore trying to lure everyone for an unprotected sex and not telling them about their HIV status.
Though nothing will change my HIV status right now, I believe I will save a lot of guys from further destruction if he's really HIV positive. With Singapore's small population there's a big chance of meeting an HIV positive person like him.
I am willing to provide his photo and mobile number for proper action by concerned authorities.
I love Singapore. I am looking forward to have a good life there but all was lost. I am not blaming anyone nor him but at the end of the day... it will be good if I spare others from the stigma of being HIV positive guy.
Thanks, [name removed]
More information can be reached here:
Anonymous HIV testing, (DSC Clinic) can be reached here at theAFA website.
Sorry the date has been changed. They are not open on the 14th. So now it's Sunday, June 15.
Thanks to SaltWetFish for organising this, it's back to NANAS again! The last trip from my own experience, was really fun and quite an eye-opener. I have never been surrounded by so many dogs! It's really a wonderful thing what they are trying to do for all these animals (there's cats, dogs, horses, etc).
check these sites for more information: site1 site2
Ok the next visit is as follows:
Date: 15th June 2008 Time: around 12 noon - 7 pm (will update where to meet nearer to the visit) Dinner: yummy zhi char dinner at Gelang Patah Transport: Own self-drive or share car
We are now gathering the number of people who want to go so that we can arrange for cars/drivers to get us there. So please get back to us as soon as possible if you want to join us at NANAS. Also we will collect $20, $50, $100 or more from each person as donation to upkeep the sanctuary. Those not going but would like to contribute can also contact Saltwetfish with your donation. We may also buy some cookies as treats for the dogs, especially those still caged (due to various circumstances).
Second installment of The Chonicles of Narnia series is finally here! Based on the trailer and it's 55 million opening in the states, this is set to be even better than the first one, The Lion, The Witch and The Warbrobe!
Synopsis: One year later, the Kings and Queens of Narnia find themselves back in that faraway wondrous realm, only to discover that more than 1,300 years have passed in Narnian time. During their absence, the Golden Age of Narnia has become extinct and Narnia has been conquered by the Telmarines and is now under the control of the evil King Miraz, who rules the land without mercy. The four children will soon meet a curious new character: Narnia's rightful heir to the throne, the young Prince Caspian, who has been forced into hiding, as his uncle Miraz plots to kill him in order to place his own newborn son on the throne. With the help of the kindly dwarf, a courageous talking mouse named Reepicheep, a badger named Trufflehunter and a Black Dwarf, Nikabrik, the Narnians--led by the mighty knights Peter and Caspian--embark on a remarkable journey to find Aslan, rescue Narnia from Miraz's tyrannical hold, and restore magic and glory to the land.
Hey Guys, it's time for museum hopping to absorb some culture! :p There's quite a few interesting shows at the various museums right now. Here's the few exhibitions I'm suggesting we catch:
@ Singapore Art Museum
Xu Beihong in Nanyang exhibition (5 April – 13 July 08) Co-organised by the Singapore Art Museum and the Xu Beihong Art Museum (Beijing), Xu Beihong in Nanyang will showcase artworks created in the 1930s and early 1940s, during the artist's sojourn in Southeast Asia and India.
Xu Beihong is recognised as the founder of China’s art education in the realist tradition and the father of Chinese modern painting. He had an immense influence on the development of Chinese painting in the 20th century. As one of the first Chinese painters to study in the West, Xu became a master of both the art of traditional ink painting and western oil painting. Xu spent several years in Southeast Asia and India between 1939 to1941. Besides painting, he also participated in many social activities. He developed close relations with personalities like R. Tagore, M. Gandhi, Sir Thomas Shenton and Lim Bo Seng, and painted compelling portraits of these individuals.
The exhibition will explore Xu’s journey in Southeast Asia and India, and the interactions that went on between artist and the local communities; how each left an indelible mark on the other, and how these helped propelled Xu Beihong's artistic achievement to greater heights.
Seeing. Feeling. Being: Alberto Giacometti exhibition (1 May – 15 Jun 08) Known for his unique vision and forms of the human figure, Alberto Giacometti has been helmed alongside Picasso and Matisse as masters of European modernism in the history of art. Looking at the gaunt beauty and the brooding isolation of Giacometti’s figures, we can see his frequent investigation of the complexities of the human condition as well as his powerful interpretations and representations in his art-making. The Singapore Art Museum is proud to present Giacometti in Asia, which will showcase Giacometti sculptures, lithographs and rare photographs of Swiss sculptor and painter.
Post Doi-Moi: Vietnamese Art After 1990s exhibition (12 May – 28 Sep 08) In celebration of 35 years of diplomatic ties between Singapore and Vietnam, the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) will be organising an exhibition on Vietnamese modern and contemporary art. The exhibition aims to raise the level of awareness and appreciation of Vietnamese art among visitors by providing insights into artistic developments that have taken place over the last three decades art. Comprising an exhibition and an international symposium, the event will be further supported by public programmes such as art talks and lectures, workshops and guided tours. In addition, SAM plans to display 15 paintings by Bui Xuan Xuan (1921 - 1988) to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the artist’s death.
@ Peranakan Museum Junk to Jewels: The Things that Peranakans Value (26 Apr – Aug 08) Encounter intimate stories and emotions attached to heirlooms treasured by various Peranakan families in this inaugural special exhibition at the new Peranakan Museum.
Guest-curated by Peter Lee, a Peranakan art historian, this special community project brings together loans from over 20 Peranakan families featuring everyday objects to finely crafted works of art. Exhibits include recipe books, wedding shoes from the 1900s and celebrity Peranakan contributions such as Dick Lee's Cultural Medallion. These objects with their personal stories provide a glimpse into the fascinating world of Peranakan culture - past and present. Don’t miss this one!
@ Asian Civilisation Museum, Empress Place
Viet Nam! From Myth to Modernity (21 May – 30 Sep 08) This exhibition will focus on one of Asia’s fastest growing economies – Vietnam - from its mythical origins to the rising economic power it has become today. Visitors will be able to explore Vietnam's unique cultural identity, as seen in the diverse material cultures that developed over the past 2,500 years. This rich legacy is the result of different cultural influences, which were absorbed and adapted. The advanced bronze technology of the Dong Son culture of northern Vietnam some 2,500 years ago, shared similarities with Chinese traditions and was also exported to other parts of Southeast Asia. The Viet culture of the northern Red River region, was heavily influenced by China during the first 1,000 years of the common era, when the region was under Chinese rule. In central Vietnam, the Hindu Buddhist kingdom of Champa left an important legacy of temples and sculpture, inspired by Indian traditions. In the highlands and other remote areas, tribal communities involved in cross-border trade also engaged in the process of cross-cultural adaptation. Important pieces from national museums around Vietnam, will be exhibited in this exhibition, including archaeological materials, sculpture, textiles and ethnographic objects. Some exhibits will come from private collections and the ACM’s own collection.
Date: June 1st 2008 Time: 1pm Venue: Singapore Art Museum entrance
Ok hope to see you guys there and get cultured! There's a Kopitiam next to SAM, so people who wanna catch lunch, can meet there at noon, just a suggestion :)
Yes Indy is back! For fans of Indiana Jones like me, the wait is finally over. This could well be the last Indiana Jones movie starring the 66 year old Harrison Ford! So it's a must-watch! Well, i do wonder how he's going to perform all the demanding stunts as before :p It also stars John Hurt, Cate Blanchett and upcoming hottie, Shia LaBeouf (Disturbia, Transformers & I, Robot).
Synopsis: The newest Indiana Jones adventure begins in the desert Southwest in 1957 – the height of the Cold Ware. Indy and his sidekick Mac (Ray Winstone) have barely escaped a close scrape with nefarious Soviet agents on a remote airfield.
Now, Professor Jones has returned home to Marshall College – only to find things have gone from bad to worse. His close friend and dean of the college (Jim Broadbent) explains that Indy's recent activities have made him the object of suspicion, and that the government has put pressure on the university to fire him. On his way out of town, Indiana meets rebellious young Mutt (Shia Labeouf), who carries both a grudge and a proposition for the adventurous archaeologist: if he'll help Mutt on a mission with deeply personal stakes, Indy could very well make one of the most spectacular archaeological finds in history – the Crystal Skull of Akator, a legendary object of fascination, superstition and fear.
Well, it'll another quick one... just found out that it's open for advance booking and tickets are snapping up. so do sign up quickly, listing closed this Thursday 22nd May, 6pm.
Date: 25 May 2008, Sunday Venue: Vivocity GVMax Cinema Hall 1 Time: 6.55pm
The film was an enjoyable and a charming one, though at some points it deemed rather tragic minus the mellow dramatics. This film wasn't a usual blockbuster but a good choice for the IndigNation 2008 premiere fund raiser. I enjoyed it tremendously.
I want to thank all the parties involved in making this possible and I urge those who didn't go the fund raiser, please make your donations by clicking on the link below:
Fridae.com, in support of People Like Us’ Indignation gay pride season, is organising the Singapore premiere of the film ‘Wilde’ on Tuesday 13 May 2008, at the Lido theatres.
Directed by Brian Gilbert, this 1997 film tells the story of celebrated poet, novelist and playwright Oscar Wilde, who in 1895 was convicted of ‘gross indecency’ under a UK law that was the precursor of Singapore’s infamous Section 377A. Wilde was a martyr to the moral hypocrisy of his time, and which unfortunately still lives on in Singapore.
The film was banned by the Singapore censors when first released. It has now been re-rated under revised film guidelines (post 2002 censorship review) as R21.
Fridae’s gala premiere is intended as a fund-raiser for Indignation, since Indignation events themselves (scheduled for August 2008) are traditionally free of charge, in order to be accessible to everyone. Tickets are priced at $20 (US$15) and $50 (US$38) - the latter includes a cocktail reception - and are available from Fridae’s movie site www.fridae.com/wilde/index.htm, or more directly from their tickets shop at http://www.fridae.com/shop/cart/home.php?cat=416.
Crocodile men’s wear and Shaw theatres are the other sponsors and People Like Us would like to express our thanks to them and Fridae for their support.
Note listing is up, date and time is confirmed but i've changed location to Orchard Cineleisure, cos the theatre is bigger :)
Hi Guys, it's SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS time! After last week's brilliant Iron Man, this should be good! I know this is a very last minute posting! But it's Speed Racer, so will need your speedy replies! :p Corny i know. I know some of you are watching it for Rain, but i'm watching it cos it's by the Wachowski Brothers of Matrix trilogy fame. Anyway hope you guys can join us. Synopsis: Born to race cars, Speed Racer is aggressive, instinctive and, most of all, fearless. His only real competition is the memory of the brother he idolized - the legendary Rex Racer, whose death in a race has left behind a legacy that Speed is driven to fulfill. Speed is loyal to the family racing business, led by his father, Pops Racer, the designer of Speed's thundering Mach 5. When Speed turns down a lucrative and tempting offer from Royalton Industries, he not only infuriates the company's maniacal owner but uncovers a terrible secret - some of the biggest races are being fixed by a handful of ruthless moguls who manipulate the top drivers to boost profits. If Speed won't drive for Royalton, Royalton will see to it that the Mach 5 never crosses another finish line. The only way for Speed to save his family's business and the sport he loves is to beat Royalton at his own game. With the support of his family and his loyal girlfriend, Trixie, Speed teams with his one-time rival - the mysterious Racer X - to win the race that had taken his brother's life: the death-defying, cross-country rally known as The Crucible.
Date: 10 May Time: 7pm Venue: Orchard Cineleisure
check out the website for more details and trailers.
OK, sign up quick cos I'll be closing it on Thursday, 8 May, 6pm or maximum of 20 is reached.
This is pretty cool! A great future OS for messy people like me :p Thanks to Universek for bringing this to my attention, and of course, he has me in mind :) Check it out!
TheBearProject Member list is a database of names/nicknames and emails of all our active members or people who have expressed interest in our activities and our blog. We will be emailing all members about major activities that we will organize, important notices and other relevant stuff!
To join our Members List, please email us your:
1) Name 2) Nickname 3) Email address
*Please note that we will not put real names on this blog unless otherwise being asked to. Therefore those who did not provide us a nickname will not be shown below.