Singapore’s Speakers Corner – a government designated protest zone and where the rally has been held since 2009 – turned a sea of glittering pink with a bright outline of a heart within the dot formation, at about 8pm.

The rally this year received the most media coverage in the lead up to it as religious leaders from the Muslim and Christian communities as well as the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, National Council of Churches of Singapore and Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore separately issued press statements after a Muslim religious teacher launched a ‘Wear White’ campaign on Facebook to denounce the event and remind Muslims not to attend the rally.

Well-known anti-gay pastor Lawrence Khong of Faith Baptist Community Church publicly endorsed the campaign initiated by the Muslim religious teacher to protest the rally and encouraged his congregation to wear white for church services this weekend.

Organizers for the first time in six years hired almost 20 private security personnel in the event that there would be protesters but none came.

Pink Dot organizers said in a statement that the rally this year marks a coming of age for the movement that has championed inclusivity and diversity amid an increasingly volatile social landscape.

‘It is very heartening to see the dot growing year on year,’ said spokesperson Paerin Choa referring to the attendance this year being more than ten times the number of the inaugural 2009 event and an increase from an estimated 21,000 people last year.

‘We believe that this sends a strong message of love and acceptance, affirming that Singapore is a home for one and all, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. We are, at the end of the day, one big national Family, and it is especially humbling this year, to see the sheer support we have received from Singaporeans from all walks of life.’

Section 377A of the Singapore Penal Code makes sex between two men illegal although the law is not actively enforced.

The event kicked off with the inaugural Community Voices segment, where invited speakers from the LGBT community, and straight allies, shared stories on their personal challenges and touched on their hopes and dreams for a better and more compassionate Singapore.

Speakers included blogger and social commentator, Mr Miyagi; urban artist, Samantha Lo, known to many as SKLO; Leow Yangfa, Deputy Director of LGBT support group Oogachaga; lawyer and notable human rights advocate, M Ravi; outspoken university student and social volunteer, Melissa Tsang; Fanny Ler, a transgender woman, and her husband, Zack Ling.

Pink Dot corporate contributors also made a strong showing at the event, with contingents from giants Google, Barclays, J P Morgan, Goldman Sachs and BP.

Sylvia Tan is a reporter for Gay Star News and member of the Pink Dot Sg organizing committee.