Pink Dot, the annual event in Singapore that celebrates the freedom to love, reaches another milestone this year, with an expanding list of corporate contributors – including multinational heavyweights Google and Barclays – coming out in full support.

What began as a small event in 2009 campaigning for diversity, inclusiveness, and to foster understanding for the basic human need to love and be loved, regardless of sexual orientation, has since grown to over 10,000 Singaporeans coming together to form a giant pink dot in 2011. To date it is the largest event that has taken place at the Speakers’ Corner.

“We are excited by the growing number of companies that are ‘coming out’ and supporting a social movement like Pink Dot,” said Paerin Choa, Pink Dot Singapore spokesperson. “We are thankful that our corporate contributors this year recognize the value of inclusiveness and diversity, regardless of sexual orientation, and hope that more companies will contribute positively towards cultivating an inclusive work environment for their LGBT employees.”

Google is back this year as Pink Dot’s Pioneer Contributor, after pledging its support for the first time last year. Approached through its LGBT employee network group, “Gayglers,” Google supported Pink Dot in 2011 by providing for the event’s main stage; many of Google’s local employees, both LGBT and straight, were also there to lend their support.
Supporting for the first time this year is global bank Barclays, which is the first international bank to come out in support of Pink Dot.

“At Barclays, we recognize the value of diversity and inclusion to our business and our employees. Diverse teams make better decisions and they better reflect our clients and the communities we are part of,” said Richard Seeley, Regional Head of Spectrum in Asia, Barclays global LGBT employee network. “We pride ourselves on facilitating a workplace where staff are respected for their talents and contributions, in an environment that offers everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, the same opportunities to be successful.

“That is why, we are proud to be a corporate contributor of this year’s Pink Dot Singapore. Pink Dot’s message of diversity, inclusiveness, and acceptance is a mission that resonates with the values and culture within our organization.”

Pink Dot kicked off with a series of launch events in early April, which saw celebrity ambassadors Sharon Au, Lim Yu-Beng, and Kumar touring various LGBT-friendly venues to publicize the cause. Supporters can also purchase their very own Pink Dot plush toys, of which sales proceeds will go toward funding the event on June 30.

This year’s Pink Dot is scheduled to start at sunset (6.30 p.m.) and will be the first night event, as compared to the late-afternoon timing of previous years. Organizers aim to create a dramatic spectacle of a human pink dot taking shape amid shimmering torches, light sticks, and glowing mobile phones in the first hours of darkness.

Event details:

WHERE: Hong Lim Park
WHEN: Saturday, June 30th, 2012
WHAT TO BRING: Pink Lights!
WHAT TO WEAR: PINK, of course!
ARRIVE BETWEEN 5:30 AND 6 P.M.

All you GuySpy guys in Singapore had better head to this amazing event. For more information, check out their facebook page.