In this episode of The Human Algorithm podcast, I sit down with Leow Yangfa, Executive Director of Oogachaga, for a profound conversation about visibility, vulnerability, and the quiet labour of building belonging in Singapore’s LGBTQIA+ community. For over two decades, Yangfa has worked across suicide prevention, public service, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy. But his story is not one of loud activism, it is one of steadfast service. From support groups in living rooms to a full-fledged counselling agency, Oogachaga has grown under his leadership into a vital safe space for queer Singaporeans navigating trauma, identity, and healing. Together, we reflect on what it means to lead a movement with care. Yangfa opens up about the emotional toll of advocacy, the bittersweet progress of the queer movement in Singapore, and the complex dance between being visible and staying safe. He shares how collaborations like the Revolut Diversity Card, now in its third year, represent more than just branding; they are lifelines, built on months of trust, intention, and backchannel planning. We also talk about elephants, chosen families, and the power of queer joy, how even in a world rife with discrimination and threats, joy becomes a form of resistance. Yangfa reminds us that behind every rainbow flag is not just pride, but the hard-won right to be visible without shame. In this episode, we discuss: — How Oogachaga began as a lifeline for survivors of conversion therapy— Why visibility must always be accompanied by safety— The unspoken emotional labour of queer leadership— What it means to hold space for grief and joy at the same time— The hope (and heartbreak) that comes from working with queer youth today— How chosen family, elephants, and golden retrievers keep Yangfa grounded If you have ever felt the tension between being true to yourself and staying safe… if you have ever wondered whether quiet leadership matters… or if you are looking for a reminder that queer joy is not a luxury, but a birthright, this episode is for you. Oogachaga is more than an organisation, it is a living archive of community care, built on the backs of those who came before. As Yangfa says, “I may be small in stature, but I stand tall on the shoulders of giants.” Support their work by donating a minimum of S$10 in the Revolut app to receive this year’s rainbow-themed Diversity Card. Every dollar goes directly to providing professional counselling and support services for LGBTQIA+ individuals in Singapore. This Pride Month, let's sustain and not just celebrate. Human Algorithm is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit humanalgorithm.substack.com/subscribe
