GASPP: A Gay Anthology of Singaporean Poetry and Prose

by Ng Yi-Sheng (Editor and Contributor), Dominic Chua (Editor and Contributor), Irene Oh (Editor)

GASPP is Singapore's first anthology of writers who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and otherwise queer. It's the combined work of 35 authors, translators and editors, who've contributed poetry, short fiction, memoirs, essays and experimental writing in English, Mandarin and Malay.

Between these covers, you'll meet a loving couple struck by HIV, a lesbian lawyer confronted by her past, a voyeur in New York library, an alarmed government censor, and a bomoh with a magic formula that keeps gay men faithful.

Romantic, sensual, funny and bizarre, these works are a testament to the range of voices that constitute queer literature in Singapore today. Featured writers include Johann S. Lee, Ovidia Yu, Alfian Sa'at. Cyril Wong, Ng Yi-Sheng and Adrianna Tan.

Genres: Poetry, Queer, Nonfiction, LGBT

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Ng Yi-Sheng is a poet, fictionist, playwright, journalist and activist. He was awarded the Singapore Literature Prize for his debut poetry collection, last boy (2006). His other publications include a spiritual sequel to that work, called A Book of Hims (2017); a compilation of his best spoken-word pieces, Loud Poems for a Very Obliging Audience (2016); the bestselling non-fiction book, SQ21: Singapore Queers in the 21st Century (2006); and a novelisation of the Singapore gangster movie, Eating Air (2008). He also co-edited GASPP: A Gay Anthology of Singapore Poetry and Prose (2010) and Eastern Heathens: An Anthology of Subverted Asian Folklore (2013). He recently completed his MA in creative writing at the University of East Anglia and is currently pursuing his PhD at Nanyang Technological University. Lion City is his first fiction collection, published in 2018 by Epigram Books.

Reviews

[xueh wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed this. I'm glad I read this now, I suspect I wouldn't have felt some stories as deeply if I read it right away when I bought it several years back.

That said, there were some poems/stories that I just didn't get. But there were many others that absolutely pulled at my heartstrings.

I wish there were more LGBT+ themed anthologies within the Southeast Asian contexts! I want to read them all. Are there more? I shall look out for them.

[Proper review to come later.]

[Wan Ni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skipped the poetry in this anthology- I just don't get poetry.
Other than that, the stories in this collection are emotive, and raw. They aren't the best writing but by writing they have already started a big step in Singapore's queer scene. It's one thing to host and share at INDIGnation, but another to publish a book that is accessible to the masses.

[Beatrixe · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite stories from this collection are Lee Low Tar (Ng Yi-Sheng), Little Fish (Tata So) and My Jerico (Tania De Rozario). Love the poignancy, often uplifting and humorous moments captured in this anthology.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

A landmark anthology unfortunately marred by its unevenness, both in terms of literary merit and structure.

[Veronica Liew · Rating 4 out of 5]

glad to see such an anthology published to feature LGBT stories, some of which a poignant and touching (I cried), but some were just plain tropeish.

[Desca Ang · Rating 4 out of 5]

The review is taken from my Instagram account: @descanto

The book is collection of queer short stories and poem. 🏳‍🌈 They circle around the issue about LGBTIQ including family acceptance and homophobia/transphobia. Some poems are hard to digest but it's okay because some stories and poem are relatable to one's personal experience and beautifully written.

Some of my favourites are Marcus and Eliott by Johann S. Lee, Seven by Alfian Sa'at, and Lee Low Tar by @yishkabob

Marcus and Eliott tells a story about a couple and one of them is infected with HIV. The last part of the story in which Eliott writes a letter of 'coming out' to his parents is so touching. Seven tells a story about a guy who tries to find his true love. He tells the readers seven lovers he met in order for doing so. Lee Low Tar is a witty story about homophobic attack - a panic and fear of turning everyone into gay.

The circulation of the book does not only enrich the Asian queer/gay literature but also giving a new sphere in enjoying stories and poems with LGBTIQ theme.