So BD Wong is gay

[Faithless]

B. D. Wong NY Times article (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/01/fashion/01WONG.html?ex=1055044800&en=a907044dcb564713&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE)

He's making news as one of the few openly Asian gay actors. Hope that don't ruin his career.

[achtungbaby]

Is anyone surprised by this though...?

[ChinaLama]

How many actors' careers have really been ruined, rather than being enhanced, when they admit to their homosexuality? just because homosexuality may not be accepted "in general" doesn't mean it's necessarily a liability for a celebrity.

[Chris]

Originally posted by ChinaLama@May 31 2003, 04:47 PM
How many actors' careers have really been ruined, rather than being enhanced, when they admit to their homosexuality? just because homosexuality may not be accepted "in general" doesn't mean it's necessarily a liability for a celebrity.
well said CL. :D

[himura-dono]

except when ellen degeneres pushed how gay she was. then her career went :gross:

[tapestrybabe]

i guess than it depends on the person... on a case by case... cuz you take melissa etheridge... and when she came out... her singing career went flying... with her Yes I Am album...

[YuheiCarreau]

BD Wong has been acting for a long time, plus one of his most famous roles is the Chinese transsexual Song Liling in M. Butterfly (on stage, not the movie version); opposite John Lithgow, I think.

This conversation feels a little out of date :P

[Emperor_Mike]

Doesn't surprise me. One of my friends has a pretty powerful "gaydar" apparently and I was told of this a long time ago. Oh well. :)

[Faithless]

Originally posted by ChinaLama@May 31 2003, 03:47 PM
How many actors' careers have really been ruined, rather than being enhanced, when they admit to their homosexuality? just because homosexuality may not be accepted "in general" doesn't mean it's necessarily a liability for a celebrity.
Don't know. himura-dono mentioned Ellen Degeneres. There's also her ex-partner. You might lose those roles as "love interests", for one.

[etcj]

Well I was at Borders a week ago and I saw it on the cover of the gay magazine, the Advocate. I wasn't too sure if it was worth a buy, especially if it's just a teaser. However, I must admit that BD Wong is going to be in a weird position, since he's Asian. A lot of gay politics focuses so much on the white face and white standard. That's why you have a lot of Asian and Pacific Islanders who still think that being gay is just some "American thing" or something that only white people experience. I certainly don't want to compare BD's future to anyone else, but someone like Margaret Cho's honest (and sometimes overly sensationalized) discussions about sexuality may not necessarily be all negative career-wise.

Big caveat would be what someone already said: BD would be wise not to do it like Ellen DeGeneres and try to make it a gay crusade for a viewing audience that probably ain't ready for it.

[shy]

Originally posted by himura-dono@May 31 2003, 03:59 PM
except when ellen degeneres pushed how gay she was. then her career went :gross:
that all depends on your outlook... as a stand-up comedian, she's still solid with sellout shows. and she's coming back onto t.v. with another show this fall.

[mr. x]

eh who cares, he'll always be the commando to me (executive decision)

[cmar]

How many actors in Hollywood are gay? Plenty. How many are "out?" Not very many. Most try to hide their personal life or have fake relationships with the opposite sex. There is still a negative impact on careers for being openly gay, or else we would see a lot more openess about it.

I wish the best for BD Wong.

[thaite]

Richard Chamberlin (Shogun) just came out, as well.

[YuheiCarreau]

Originally posted by thaite@Jun 3 2003, 02:05 PM
Richard Chamberlin (Shogun) just came out, as well.
Yeah, but BD Wong didn't just come out, right? It's just that straight White American only cares if one of their own is 'playing for the other side'.

[Faithless]

Originally posted by thaite@Jun 3 2003, 12:05 PM
Richard Chamberlin (Shogun) just came out, as well.
Does it twist a person's mind when you think of his hetero leading roles?

[Chester]

Am I the only one who thinks that the subject of this thread out to be changed from:

So B.D. Wong Is Gay

to

B.D. Wong Is So Gay

[Faithless]

Originally posted by Chester@Jun 3 2003, 04:24 PM
Am I the only one who thinks that the subject of this thread out to be changed from:

So B.D. Wong Is Gay

to

B.D. Wong Is So Gay
Maybe, how gay is he? I just thought he was oddly straight.

[AngryABCGirl]

Hasn't been this been out for some time?

[Emperor_Mike]

It's a well kept open secret, I think.

[mr. x]

Originally posted by Emperor_Mike@Jun 3 2003, 07:30 PM
It's a well kept open secret, I think.
well for one thing he's an asian actor its not like he's A list

[cmar]

From an interview with B.D. Wong in the June 20, 2003 issue of Frontiers Magazine:

Q-How big an issue in keeping your sexuality quiet professionally was the fact that you were Asian?
BD-It was a huge factor...The gay community has a thing about Asian men, and Hollywood has a thing about Asian men.
Q-Elaborate on gay men having a thing about Asian men.
BD-Asian men are very low on the gay food chain. Go to any personal web site, AOL chat room, personal ad, mixer or bar, and your average Asian gay man is invisible. Take it from me, it's not pretty out there, and Hollywood is the same way. There's just no employment of Asian men.
Q-Unless you're Jackie Chan or Chow Yun-Fat.
BD-Who aren't even Asian American! So there's no Asian American male (actor) on the radar.

[kuanyin]

yeah,

i've known that B.D. Wong was gay for awhile. i don't remeber through what medium i found out, but i knew.

Richard Chamberlain, now i was totally shocked. i remeber the Thornbirds...i watched that six hour series like three times when i was little. but only because i went to catholic school. well, it was a phase...the catholic thing. not that catholicism is bad...ok too much info!

[Faithless]

Originally posted by cmar@Jun 10 2003, 09:13 AM
From an interview with B.D. Wong in the June 20, 2003 issue of Frontiers Magazine:

Q-How big an issue in keeping your sexuality quiet professionally was the fact that you were Asian?
BD-It was a huge factor...The gay community has a thing about Asian men, and Hollywood has a thing about Asian men.
Q-Elaborate on gay men having a thing about Asian men.
BD-Asian men are very low on the gay food chain. Go to any personal web site, AOL chat room, personal ad, mixer or bar, and your average Asian gay man is invisible. Take it from me, it's not pretty out there, and Hollywood is the same way. There's just no employment of Asian men.
Q-Unless you're Jackie Chan or Chow Yun-Fat.
BD-Who aren't even Asian American! So there's no Asian American male (actor) on the radar.
You think that's odd, how about this one:

http://www.gapsn.org/project2/discussion/wong1.asp

Q: How do gay people react to your being a father?

A: Once, I was walking across the street in Chelsea with the stroller, and I was about to pass this guy—he was in a leather jacket, with a goatee. And I brushed against him, and he said, in the nastiest voice, "Breeder."

Q: You are a breeder.

A: I know. I was kind of tickled.

[Faithless]

BD Wong interview from National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (http://www.ngltf.org/events/ptown2003wong.htm)
How do you feel about being honored by NGLTF?
I'm thrilled. It's really quite amazing. I came out because on some level I knew it was a positive thing not just for me. It's comforting and validating that someone outside sees that … I didn't think about organizations supporting me and making it truly special for me. I've felt like more of a member of the community. This honor welcomes me in that way.

[hooligan]

there's an article on him in the recent issue of monolid. there's nothing on their website though. i really suggest you all check out monolid, unless there's something that i don't know about the magazine, it's pretty good. :)

[Martino]

there's an article on him in the recent issue of monolid. there's nothing on their website though. i really suggest you all check out monolid, unless there's something that i don't know about the magazine, it's pretty good. :)

What's the article about?

[kitty]

I officially worship him more now that i've read those interview snippets. *sigh* he has a head on his shoulders...

*sob* why aren't there more men like him out there?

*develops a crush*

[Faithless]

I officially worship him more now that i've read those interview snippets. *sigh* he has a head on his shoulders...

*sob* why aren't there more men like him out there?

*develops a crush*

Well, the articles on BC certainly give more insight into his persona, than was previously known (or anyone cared to know).

He's kind of like George Takei, in that he isn't a superstar in Hollywood, yet he uses his success to promote some good. :smile:

[Martino]

I officially worship him more now that i've read those interview snippets. *sigh* he has a head on his shoulders...

*sob* why aren't there more men like him out there?

*develops a crush*

Did you ever look up http://www.bdwong.moonfruit.com?

[hooligan]

What's the article about?
i haven't read it just yet, but when i do i'll post it here.

[etcj]

What's the article about?
I read that article from Monlolid. It's pretty crappily written as it is only a review of his book. This goes to show you that Monolid is a conservative, elitist Asian magazine. They make no mention of B.D. Wong coming out, which was the main attention grabber for that book. If folks remember from the summer, his coming out was tied in specifically with his book, which most thought was just a publicity stunt to increase book sales.

That article seem to pander a bit too much on the side of B.D. Wong, no doubt to bolster their theme of "Asian American males as hot property". They happened to talk about Monique Truong's Book of Salt, where they talked about GLBT issues. Sadly, they didn't do the same for B.D. Wong.

So thumbs down for Monolid.

[Faithless]

So thumbs down for Monolid.

Read some of the stuff on their web site, and felt the same way to some degree.

[Martino]

Ellen isn't necessarily 'hot'...

Rupert Everett, wasn't really hurt by being openly gay...neither has Harvey Fierstein (one of my favorite actors)...

The cute actress that Ellen went with awhile back--Ann Heche-- hasn't been doing too badly, I think (even though we haven't heard from her in quite awhile).

Plus, B.D. Wong is a damn fine actor (those New York actors tend to be, anyhow)...

A priest on Oz, and a stint on Law and Order isn't so bad...


Harvey Fierstein and BD Wong have a bit of history behind them (no, not in that way); Harvey is the godfather of BD's son.

BD Wong has never been listed in Halliwell's, despite appearing in over 20 films and playing the star role in the poorly received Slappy and the Stinkers - bizarre.

[etcj]

Maybe Justin Lin should cast B.D. Wong in a super violent movie...

[Martino]

Maybe Justin Lin should cast B.D. Wong in a super violent movie...

I'm hoping Marc Forster will do something with him in his next movie ...

BD Wong did beat up Treat Williams in a film ....

[Tao]

I'm hoping Marc Forster will do something with him in his next movie ...

BD Wong did beat up Treat Williams in a film ....
the guy from everwood? what film was that?

[hooligan]

I read that article from Monlolid. It's pretty crappily written as it is only a review of his book. This goes to show you that Monolid is a conservative, elitist Asian magazine. They make no mention of B.D. Wong coming out, which was the main attention grabber for that book. If folks remember from the summer, his coming out was tied in specifically with his book, which most thought was just a publicity stunt to increase book sales.

That article seem to pander a bit too much on the side of B.D. Wong, no doubt to bolster their theme of "Asian American males as hot property". They happened to talk about Monique Truong's Book of Salt, where they talked about GLBT issues. Sadly, they didn't do the same for B.D. Wong.

So thumbs down for Monolid. lol, wow, i didn't realize it was such a conservative magazine. i read a couple of articles that were all right and most of their writings are from contributors anyway. ah well.

[teaz0r]

i saw the thread title.
and the first thing that came into my head was..

"duh"

[Faithless]

i saw the thread title.
and the first thing that came into my head was..

"duh"

Did you always know he was gay?

Or did you learn it from somewhere?

[Martino]

the guy from everwood? what film was that?

The Substitute 2

[teaz0r]

Did you always know he was gay?

Or did you learn it from somewhere?
i just always thought he was gay.
he totally exude gay charms. like in his
interviews that i've seen. he's sososo
cute. he's my fave AA actor <3

and maybe because father of the bride
keeps on coming to my head.

[krome]

i just always thought he was gay.
Me too. I would've been shocked if he came out as hetero.

Wow, so Asian guys are rock-bottom in gay dating as well? Well, crap. Sure sucks to be an AM. :frown:

I've had about 5 black, white and Latino guys try to fvck me though. And I'm totally str8. They prolly wanted me to be the bottom bych tho.

Richard "Shogun" Chamberlain gay? LMFAO!!! Muhahahaha! That's priceless! They should have shown him getting butt-banged by a Samurai. I often find gay guys can play str8's convincingly, but I'm not sure about str8's playing gay guys...?

[TTChino]

This is the guy that plays the psychologist in Law and Order right?

[Faithless]

i just always thought he was gay.
he totally exude gay charms. like in his
interviews that i've seen. he's sososo
cute. he's my fave AA actor <3

and maybe because father of the bride
keeps on coming to my head.

I never got that. Of course, I remember him as a bad guy with a tough guy image. (Been working on those arms, he has!)

[>:^|]

Has anyone ever read Following Foo, his book?
I've been meaning to take a quick look.
I always thought he was gay
I never thought of him another way
But it's something I could have mistook.

[etcj]

Me too. I would've been shocked if he came out as hetero.

Wow, so Asian guys are rock-bottom in gay dating as well? Well, crap. Sure sucks to be an AM. :frown:

I've had about 5 black, white and Latino guys try to fvck me though. And I'm totally str8. They prolly wanted me to be the bottom bych tho.



Maybe you should comment on the AM/WM thread then. :biggrin:

[Blue dice]

Ellen isn't necessarily 'hot'...

Rupert Everett, wasn't really hurt by being openly gay...neither has Harvey Fierstein (one of my favorite actors)...

This is a pretty interesting thread for gays and heteros alike.

I was REALLY surprised when I learned that Rupert Everett was gay simply because he played so many straight roles as the male lead. Then again Ian Mckellan doesn't exactly exude gayness either. Matter of fact i've rarely seen a stereotypical gay person. I had my suspicions about B.D. Wong because he played that priest on Oz a little too well. :).

[Martino]

This is a pretty interesting thread for gays and heteros alike.

I was REALLY surprised when I learned that Rupert Everett was gay simply because he played so many straight roles as the male lead. Then again Ian Mckellan doesn't exactly exude gayness either. Matter of fact i've rarely seen a stereotypical gay person. I had my suspicions about B.D. Wong because he played that priest on Oz a little too well. :).

What ... all priests are gay?!?

I've seen lots of stereotypical gay people. Lots and lots. Affectation, I suppose, but the London scene is very queeny.

[Blue dice]

What ... all priests are gay?!?

It was a joke done in poor taste. But I remember reading some study that said that there are a greater than average number (for an average population sample whatever that means) of in the closet homosexual priests. Homosexual males who grow up in strict religious backgrounds internalize their emotions about being gay and feel guilty about it. Some end up in the priesthood/celibacy role to try and alleviate religious guilt. I don't know whether the study is true or not so don't hold me to it.

[Martino]

It was a joke done in poor taste. But I remember reading some study that said that there are a greater than average number (for an average population sample whatever that means) of in the closet homosexual priests. Homosexual males who grow up in strict religious backgrounds internalize their emotions about being gay and feel guilty about it. Some end up in the priesthood/celibacy role to try and alleviate religious guilt. I don't know whether the study is true or not so don't hold me to it.

Its a choice of the priesthood or showbusiness ... ;O)

[etcj]

I read on someone's Xanga that B.D. Wong and his white boyfriend split up back in December. Oops, oh well...Martino, aren't you suppose to keep up B.D. news??

[rice cracker]

I read on someone's Xanga that B.D. Wong and his white boyfriend split up back in December. Oops, oh well...Martino, aren't you suppose to keep up B.D. news??

Oh, that's too bad that they broke up. I had read that he and B.D Wong had adopted child together.

[Faithless]

What ... all priests are gay?!?

I've seen lots of stereotypical gay people. Lots and lots. Affectation, I suppose, but the London scene is very queeny.

Well, at least one Judas Priest. :rolleyes:

[Martino]

I read on someone's Xanga that B.D. Wong and his white boyfriend split up back in December. Oops, oh well...Martino, aren't you suppose to keep up B.D. news??

That was in the gossip rags like People in August 2003 ... before I joined up here. Apart from that sort of source, I've not seen any real confirmation of this.

It would be something of a blow to the whole gays-can-be-stable-parents argument, since Advocate made BD Wong the cover story of its June issue, which focused on this very subject.

http://www.advocate.com/images/covers/A891x300.gif

[Martino]

Oh, that's too bad that they broke up. I had read that he and B.D Wong had adopted child together.

Not adopted - surrogate birth. BD's sperm, an egg from the sister of his boyfriend, and a surrogate mother in California.

[Martino]

Well, at least one Judas Priest. :rolleyes:

I don't understand ...?

[Faithless]

I don't understand ...?

Gay Priest. Judas Priest. Rob Halford lead sing.

He came-out not too long ago after years of being told by his fellow band members that it was better for the band for him to keep his sexuality private. :rolleyes:

[Martino]

Gay Priest. Judas Priest. Rob Halford lead sing.

He came-out not too long ago after years of being told by his fellow band members that it was better for the band for him to keep his sexuality private. :rolleyes:

Oh ... I see ... I think ... um?

[Eros]

It's actually very daring to come out for actors. Unless they are quite well known they basically will only get cast in gay roles for much of their career.

Here's an exerp from an interview (http://www.gay.com/entertainment/interview.html?sernum=382) with Craig Chester about his book where he talks about being a gay actor in hollywood.

"Why the Long Face?" is about you being an openly gay actor and how that has been an added obstacle to your career. What do you feel about an actor like Sean Hayes, whom even my dead mother assumes is gay in real life, not coming out? Do you think if Sean is gay and had come out he wouldn't have gotten to play Jerry Lewis?

No, he wouldn't have. That's why being in the closet is good for business. But do you really want to sell your soul so you could play Jerry Lewis in a TV movie? If that's what you want to do, then great! I don't think Jerry Lewis is worth the trouble. [Laughs.]

Oh, stop it. I adore early Jerry.

I'm sorry. But a CBS TV movie! If that's why you're not coming out, then good for you. But I feel, like I say in the book, if someone like Sean Hayes is gay and they feel like they can't come out because of the ramifications, then it makes you wonder: If he can't come out, then who can? He's on Will and Grace! Do you think Tom Cruise, if he were gay, or anybody else is going to come out if Sean Hayes can't? It says everything about what hasn't changed.

At the same time, I don't think that every actor should be forced to become a political activist. I've met Sean. He's a really nice guy. Ultimately, you have to respect people's decisions. You can only be an example. People meet you and if they see that you're somewhat satisfied, fulfilled creatively, with your life as an openly gay actor, then maybe they'll do the same.

So your verdict on Hollywood?

I feel Hollywood now is fine with gay people and gay characters as long as we're making them laugh, doing their hair, giving the straight women therapy or decorating their homes. But it's sort of the same thing black people went through. As long as you're useful, you can sit at the table. We're sort of now in our Mammy role.

As for straight people playing gay roles, some of them have done great jobs. Bill Campbell (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001004/) in his role in the Tales of the City series comes to mind.

[Martino]

It's actually very daring to come out for actors. Unless they are quite well known they basically will only get cast in gay roles for much of their career.

Mmm. BD formally come out quite late in his career ... I hope he doesn't turn into a Nathan Lane type luvvy figure. I was honestly clueless about his sexuality until last Summer. He kinda flew beneath my gaydar somehow (plus I heard rumours of him having children long before the actual thing with the surrogacy).

He has played three gay roles in 21 movies ... and I can think of one one gay role on the stage (it was that part).

Anyone seen The Salton Sea? He played an FBI agent with a Texan accent ...

[Faithless]

I'ts nice to see that BD gets a 4.3 (out of 5) from an MSN rating:

http://entertainment.msn.com/celebs/celeb.aspx?mp=b&c=246492

[cmar]

If you'd like to see BD Wong, he will be honored by East West Players at their annual dinner on Monday, April 26, in Los Angeles. You can get more info at www.eastwestplayers.org. FYI - Before he was famous, BD Wong appeared in the EWP production of A Chorus Line in 1987. He has a very nice singing voice!

[yoMAMA]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!

that guy in father of the bride is B.D. Wong?

Never realized that! [he was good, though]

:eek:

[Martino]

FYI - Before he was famous, BD Wong appeared in the EWP production of A Chorus Line in 1987. He has a very nice singing voice!

Really? I hadn't heard of that one before. If you can verify, I'll add it to the theatre page at http://bdwong.moonfruit.com/

[etcj]

Oh Martino, you would be so jealous right now!

I saw B.D. Wong over the weekend at the Queer Asian Pacific Legacy Conference. He was a key note speaker. He look pretty much the same as on TV, but he seemed very ripped while onstage. It looked like he had some pretty nice biceps.

Oh yeah, he did have a posse. They were all these Chelsea-style white guys. I still can't tell if he's a top or bottom, but he told us that he likes oral sex. Oh well..

[rice cracker]

Not only is Martino jealous, but so am I!

[Martino]

Oh Martino, you would be so jealous right now!

I saw B.D. Wong over the weekend at the Queer Asian Pacific Legacy Conference. He was a key note speaker. He look pretty much the same as on TV, but he seemed very ripped while onstage. It looked like he had some pretty nice biceps.

Oh yeah, he did have a posse. They were all these Chelsea-style white guys. I still can't tell if he's a top or bottom, but he told us that he likes oral sex. Oh well..

I am, I am.

Though, obviously because I admire him as an actor, not because he was ripped ... with ... nice ... um ... firm round biceps (phew, is it me or is it getting hot in here?) ... um ... on stage, talking about ... huh ... sex and stuff ... biceps ... um ... ah, sorry ... ah, what was the question again?

[krome]

What is a "Chelsea-style white guy?"

[kboy75]

What is a "Chelsea-style white guy?"
Chelsea is the predominantly gay neighborhood in Manhattan. Kinda like the Castro in SF, but the Castro is a little more flaming.

[krome]

Chelsea is the predominantly gay neighborhood in Manhattan. Kinda like the Castro in SF, but the Castro is a little more flaming.
I'm still confused. What exactly is the "Chelsea" style, or the "Castro" style, then?

[kboy75]

I'm still confused. What exactly is the "Chelsea" style, or the "Castro" style, then?
Just flaming. Stereotypically gay-looking. Guys in leather pants with ankle weights, in a sleeveless muscle T-shirt. I dunno... I thik he's just referring to gay guys that "look" gay (versus plain-clothes, can't tell right away types).

[krome]

^ Ah, so both "Chelsea" and "Castro" types tend to be "flamers?" And they wear "ankle weights?" WTH? Can you post a picture of that?

[kimpossible]

^ Ah, so both "Chelsea" and "Castro" types tend to be "flamers?" And they wear "ankle weights?" WTH? Can you post a picture of that?

Google it.

[Faithless]

“In my child’s mind, my race was invisible,” he said. “There were no Asian Americans on TV.”
...
He struggled with wanting to be an actor and being Asian American.

Actor B.D. Wong describes struggle with racial identity (http://www.advance.uconn.edu/2006/060327/06032703.htm)

by Sherry Fisher - March 27, 2006

When B.D. Wong was a youngster, he knew he wanted to be an actor. But there were no role models for the boy whose favorite pastimes were watching television and going to the movies.

“In my child’s mind, my race was invisible,” he said. “There were no Asian Americans on TV.”

Wong, best known for his role as Father Ray Mukada from the HBO series Oz and as forensic psychiatrist Dr. George Huang on NBC’s Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, spoke March 20 about his odyssey from racial self-loathing to eventual self-acceptance.

His talk, given at the Student Union Theatre, was sponsored by the Asian American Cultural Center, the Rainbow Center, the Department of Dramatic Arts, and the Student Union Board of Governors.

“Deciding to become an actor and not seeing anyone who looks like you, or seeing them do something demeaning or embarrassing or stereotypical, made me try to negotiate what that really meant,” said Wong, whose parents are second-generation Chinese American.

He struggled with wanting to be an actor and being Asian American.

“Asian American parents were extremely vocal and single-minded about what the kids of my generation chose as careers,” he said.

It was difficult for him to tell his parents what he was going to do with his life.

After years of performing in high school plays, with mentors who offered him parts regardless of race, college left him cold. He didn’t have the same encouragement or access to perform. So he left for New York.

But being in New York didn’t change how he felt about his ethnicity. He still judged himself by the negative images of Asian Americans that he had seen on TV and in film.

“I convinced myself that when I came to New York to be an actor, I could transcend my race by behaving in an all-American fashion,” he said.



“I was so uptight about the whole concept of being mistaken for ‘fresh off the boat’ or asked to play those kinds of roles, that I steered myself clear of it by the way I talked, the way I spoke, and the way I dressed.”

After a stint in New York, Wong moved to Los Angeles. The parts being offered there, he said, were like the ones he saw as a child, “the cook on Bonanza” and the “wacky foreign exchange student.

“My favorite role was the troubled Chinatown teenage gang member,” he said, drawing a laugh from the audience.

“I tried to take these parts and turn them into something else: the all-American boy. I was making a living, but not being honest with myself.”

Playing the role of the opera diva in M. Butterfly, on Broadway ended the period of “pushing away” his ethnicity. The play earned him five awards, including a Tony.

The story is about a 20-year affair between a French diplomat and a Chinese opera star. It turns out that the diva is not only a spy for the Chinese government, she is also a man.

“I was supposed to be beautiful in the play,” Wong said. “And I never felt attractive as an Asian American person.”

He said the show changed how he perceived himself and his vocation.

Wong, who is gay, had not been comfortable sharing his sexual orientation. That changed after he and his partner decided to become parents.

A surrogate carried twins, who were born prematurely. One child died, the other was in intensive care for months. Wong coped by writing e-mails, which have become part of his book, Following Foo: The Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man.

On The Today Show, he was asked how it felt to be a gay parent. The question, far from being embarrassing, gave him freedom, he said.

“What I discovered answering it,” he said, “is peace.”

[etcj]

Okay, do you know how to travel to the future? Your post was on the 25th, but the article's dated for the 27th.

[didu]

every time I see the name B. D. Wong, the swear word 王八蛋 pops into my head ...

[Craig]

Okay, do you know how to travel to the future? Your post was on the 25th, but the article's dated for the 27th.It's probably one of those weekly publications.

[Martino]

every time I see the name B. D. Wong, the swear word 王八蛋 pops into my head ...

Hope that's not Chinese for 'ham'! :wink:

(google translation comes up with 'fun')

[didu]

Hope that's not Chinese for 'ham'! :wink:

(google translation comes up with 'fun')

google got it wrong, :biggrin: it's the Chinese counterpart for son of a bitch ...

[snbatman]

every time I see the name B. D. Wong, the swear word 王八蛋 pops into my head ...

why?

[uhhden]

How many actors' careers have really been ruined, rather than being enhanced, when they admit to their homosexuality? just because homosexuality may not be accepted "in general" doesn't mean it's necessarily a liability for a celebrity.

Ellen DeGeneres?

[Martino]

google got it wrong, :biggrin: it's the Chinese counterpart for son of a bitch ...

Ham would probably sting more . . .

[didu]

why?

linguistic intuition of a native speaker ... :biggrin:

[Chad]

i met bd wong a few weeks ago. he was a nice guy.