Earnest, heartfelt look at prejudice in Singapore

WHEN the National Library decided to remove three children's books from its shelves in July 2014 because they depicted gay parents and single mothers, it ignited a small firestorm of civil protest rarely witnessed in Singapore.

The LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community was outraged, as were many heterosexual individuals who felt compassion for the minority community and wanted the right to decide which books they can read for their children, a matter not to be dictated by the government.

Dozens of artists expressed their anger and disappointment by refusing to take part in upcoming literary events associated with the library. Others wrote short stories and plays that satirised the library's actions.