Several Asian American gay groups participated in the annual Gay Pride parade in Manhattan, hoping to gain mainstream society’s acceptance while trying to break through their own cultural constraints. Marching down from 52nd Street along Fifth Avenue, hundreds joined in the parade.
The parade kicked off at noon. Many floats fancifully decorated made their way down Fifth Avenue, surrounded by people dressed in fantastical costumes who danced with abandon. There was carnival in the air. Many white gay revelers wore extremely explicit attire, like embellished thongs, unlike the Asian American gays’ conservative costumes.
This year’s parade theme: Gay and Asian: Nothing Lost in Translation, brought many Asian American gays out with yellow balloons that read “Gay” in several different languages: Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Hindu. Among them were members of Gay Asians and Pacific Islander Men of New York; they hoped that Asian-American homosexuals could overcome language barriers and blend into mainstream society.
Another group representing Asian gays in New York was the Asian Pacific Island Coalition on HIV/AIDS. It sponsored an eye-catching flowered float, followed by a group who wore traditional Japanese folk costumes.
Adrian, who is in a doctoral program at a university in the city, said this is his second year in the parade. He felt great seeing people on the sidelines celebrating this special event for gay people. “Not only is this recognition for gay people from society in general, but it also gives gays self-esteem,” he said. “That is exactly what Asian American gays need. The general attitude in the United States is more open towards homosexuals [than in other countries], but mainstream society still misunderstands Asian American gays and seldom regards them as members of gay society.” He added, “Asian gays usually suffer a double discrimination, from their own people and from U.S. gays respectively.”
In recent years, several Asian gay organizations have been established. For Adrian, this is a good trend that will give more Asian American gays a chance to speak out for themselves without fear of disclosing their gay identity. However, there would still be difficulties for people to come out. “I still cannot tell my parents about my sexual preference, and, of course, I worry that they won’t be able to handle the fact,” Adrian said. “But I will find a good moment to tell them.”
How difficult is it for Asian gays to admit their sexual preferences? Jun-Wei Huang who admitted his sexual preference 10 years ago has gradually gained his parents’ and friends’ understanding. He said, “It may not be a support, but they’re beginning to accept the fact. However, we still try not to talk about some sensitive issues. At least, they no longer say anything harsh, which is really an important step for me.”
Given that individuals face many different problems, they should not be forced to come out, especially given the many taboos about gays and lesbians among Chinese people. If a person has something that stops him from admitting he’s gay, or if in doing so it may cost him his job, then his decision to not say anything needs to be understood.
