Oogachaga
From SgWiki
Oogachaga is Singapore's first and most well known LGBTQ-friendly counselling organisation.
Its vision is to be the most recognised agency for developing fulfilling life experiences between individuals and communities of all sexual orientations and genders.
Oogachaga's mission is to enable LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning) individuals to make informed decisions that strengthen their beings and to achieve a fulfilling life.
[edit] History
Oogachaga was set up in 1999 by artist Jason Wee and friends Steve Wong and Kenneth Lau. It was an offshoot and further development of support groups for gay men initiated by People Like Us (PLU). These PLU support groups which functioned in the mid-1990s were largely led by well known gay activist Alex Au, with creative names such as Yagga yagga.
The name Oogachaga was inspired by the names of its forerunners as well as the dancing baby from Ally McBeal, "Baby Cha-Cha"[1].
C. Singam became the driving force behind Oogachaga soon after its formation, offering his residences near the city area as venues for the meetings of the support groups, named OC1, followed by OC2 and so on. At first, meetings were held in a HDB apartment and then at a ground level shophouse unit around the River Valley vicinity.
Singam also started Oogachaga's counselling service in 2000.
Later, the first office for Oogachaga was in the third level of a shophouse unit at Tanjong Katong as the venue for support group meetings.
In 2005, Oogachaga's first support group for women was started.
On 16 Feb 2006, Oogachaga started the OCMSM (Oogachaga Men who have Sex with Men) hotline, Singapore's first hotline manned by gay volunteers. This community outreach service enables MSM to talk about issues regarding their sexuality issues or to find out more information on HIV and STI.
When more funds became available in 2007, an office at Emily Hill and a spacious room, meant for arts activities, also in the same complex, were rented for administrative work and support group meetings. Professional counsellors and personal development trainers were also roped in to make the support group activities more comprehensive.
In 2009, Oogachaga underwent a rebranding exercise in which it renamed itself "OC". It also adopted a more holistic mission statement which sought to foster all-round development of LGBTQ individuals in Singapore.
It shifted its office to a building in the Jalan Besar area which was more accessible to its volunteers and support group members.
It also procured sufficient funds to employ three full-time staff to schedule its hotline, counselling, support group and other activities.
OC's first and current centre director is Bryan Choong. He is assisted by Peh Yin Yee and Andrew Chan.
On Saturday, 9 Jan 10, OC held its tenth anniversary celebration at Play disco along Tanjong Pagar Road from 4-7 pm.
[edit] Forums and events organised
[edit] 2003: Beyond homosexuality and homophobia
[edit] 2005: Exploring gay male identity workshop
[edit] 2007: Youth, sexuality and relationships workshop
[edit] 2007: Legendary killer: Life of an HIV person
[edit] 2007: Better dead than queer
[edit] 2007: Book Launch of SQ21
[edit] 2008: Sammi Zhen show: STI knowledge
[edit] 2008: A shot at love
[edit] 2008: Cruising through history
[edit] 2008: Me and my family: A part or apart
[edit] 2009: Labels and love
[edit] 2009: Same-sex couples
[edit] 2009: Outrace
[edit] 2009: Book Launch of Tong Lei
[edit] Current Services
Oogachaga's services include:
- 1) Face-to-face counseling
- 2) Hotline counselling: 626 86 626
- 3) Support groups for gay and bisexual men
- 4) Support groups for lesbian and bisexual women
- 5) Forums for the LGBTQ community
- 6) Workshops for practitioners such social workers, counsellors and mental health professionals.
