International coverage of this year's National Day celebrations and of Lee Hsien Loong's assumption of the premiership was almost outshone by news of a very different social (and some may argue political) ritual: the fourth annual gay and lesbian dance party Nation 04.

Melbourne's Age newspaper proclaimed 'it's case of kick up your heels in Singapore, the new mecca for Asia's pink dollar' (Aug 14, 2004) while Reuters reported that '6,000 people turned out fora festival of international DJs, podium dancers, pumping music andpacked dance floors' (Aug 8, 2004).

Elsewhere, media reports on the second PM Lee's policy platform drew parallels between the greater visibility of gay and lesbian Singaporeans and the installation of the new administration as evidence of social and political liberalisation. From London, The Independent's analysis of the political handover proceeded under the headline of 'Gum, gays and gambling' (Aug 26, 2004).

Certainly observers of contemporary Singapore would have noticed the emergence of a sophisticated and self-confident community of gay and lesbian consumers.