Fridae

An iconic gay play by Singaporean-American playwright Chay Yew has been translated into Mandarin. It's being performed this weekend from 18 to 20 May 2012 in Singapore.

An innocent on-screen kiss between Singaporean actresses Vivian Lai and Kate Pang took place during last Sunday’s Singapore Star Awards 2. The result has been a media frenzy, with actions taken by the Media Development Authority and MediaCorp.

From 4 to 18 May, rainbowartsproject is holding "Handsome: IVSG", an art exhibition about men and masculinity. Featured artists include filmmaker Bruce LaBruce, photographer Marcus Mok and young illustrator Faisal Husni.

In 2011, moviegoers in Manila went wild for the campy gay horror film Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington. Director Jade Castro and screenwriter Raymond Lee share their tales of creating the hit that grossed over 37 million pesos (US$800,000) at the box-office, and how the movie is in fact an "activist film" although some critics say it made light of anti-gay hate crimes.

Audiences these days have come to expect "positive" gay-themed films from Thai filmmakers but Thai director-screenwriter Kongdej Jaturanrasamee, who recently screened his latest work P-047 at the Southeast Asian Film Festival in Singapore, says his country's filmmakers often aim for mainstream success by turning their gay and kathoey characters into targets for comedy.

The M1 Singapore Fringe Festival returns from 15 to 26 February with the theme of Art and Faith. We highlight works by queer artists, while playwright Irfan Kasban talks to us about his Islam-inspired plays.

Last year, the US Armed Forces finally ended Don't Ask Don't Tell, its anti-gay personnel policy. Former Army Lieutenant Dan Choi is one of the leading activists behind the change – but even though that battle's won, he hasn't stopped fighting. Choi speaks to Fridae in an exclusive interview.

Social worker Leow Yangfa's first book explores the lives of 21 GLBT people in Singapore, focusing on their struggles with abuse, illness and prejudice. Ng Yi-Sheng reviews.

Singapore-born Berlin-based dancer/choreographer Ming Poon has just begun a two year artistic residency at the Substation and is seeking interviewees for a two-year project about people’s attitudes towards HIV and people with HIV.

From 1 to 15 December, Singaporean lesbian artist Tania De Rozario will exhibit A Language of Longing, a collection of works inspired by relationships between women. She speaks to us about her art – and about her recent victory in the Golden Point Awards for poetry.