Asian representation in the gay community

[kimpossible]

Idea stolen from kasie's observation that most women's studies courses focus on white women. Is there a fair representation of diversity in the gay community? In leadership roles, positive media representations? Do you experience racism from other members of the gay community? Do the stereotypes associated with Asians of both genders affect gays and lesbians of Asian descent? Hypersexualized Asian women and asexual Asian males? Or do they differ?

[sandra]

no way, dude. i once worked with a gay attorney (white) who was highly skeptical of my assertion that racial profiling occurs.

of course, he doesn't represent the entire gay community - but he is a civil rights attorney that has litigated on behalf of the gay community- so i just have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of gay people are completely oblivious to what other minorities have to go through.

[victorvien]

I read this cool article comparing William Hung and Harlemm Lee (aka Gerry Woo) winner of the Fame competition. asexual/effeminate, short guys. they're inspiring in their own ways but their stories are depressing at the same time. I read somewhere that Asian Americans are actually are overrepresented on TV, disproportionate to our Census population. How is that possible? Do they count the medical assistants on ER?

[kimpossible]

Originally Posted by victorvien

I read this cool article comparing William Hung and Harlemm Lee (aka Gerry Woo) winner of the Fame competition. asexual/effeminate, short guys. they're inspiring in their own ways but their stories are depressing at the same time. I read somewhere that Asian Americans are actually are overrepresented on TV, disproportionate to our Census population. How is that possible? Do they count the medical assistants on ER?

I meant more along the lines of when a medium is supposed to be representative of the entire gay community, is real diversity present? For instance, I haven't seen too many Advocate covers but the ones I have all had white males on the cover. And the Asian representation on a show like (the American version of) Queer As Folk has been abysmal and offensive.

[loserbutt]

if anything, asians are overrepresented in gay circles...

[Chris]

Originally Posted by loserbutt

if anything, asians are overrepresented in gay circles...

what are you basing that assumption from I am quite curious.

That is not the case for me.

[etcj]

Originally Posted by loserbutt

if anything, asians are overrepresented in gay circles...

Heh, maybe if you're talking about pageants. No, I don't think Asians and Pacific Islanders are overrepresented in what we call, "mainstream gay circles" at all. If anything, they're almost always token individuals who are placed in there as sidekicks, tag-alongs, or fresh meat.

However, I guess you have to look at this from a geographical standpoint. Folks on the West Coast might be used to seeing other gay or bi Asians. On this side of the country, seeing someone from your own (ethnic) community is few and far in between.

As for answering the original questions posed by kimpossible:

Is there a fair representation of diversity in the gay community?
No, there isn't. When people talk about gay people of color, it inexorably means black and latino. We yellow folks don't exist.

In leadership roles, positive media representations?
There are couple of gay Asians and Pacific Islanders in strong leadership roles. My fav is Paul Kawata, who's the leader of the National Minority AIDS Council...a predominantly black-heavy organization. He's a snazzy dresser.

Do you experience racism from other members of the gay community?
Yes, I personally have experienced racism directly and indirectly. I think the worst is reading those, "No Asians" messages online...bigotry anonymously...how messed up is that?

Do the stereotypes associated with Asians of both genders affect gays and lesbians of Asian descent? Hypersexualized Asian women and asexual Asian males? Or do they differ?
No, the stereotypes differ across gender lines, because straight and gay Asian males experience the same negative stereotypes. The Asian females, on the other hand, always are portrayed positively, particularly by folks from non-Asian communities. Then again, those negative stereotypes of submissive Asian bottoms is viewed negatively by us, but folks who fetishize us see it as a gold mine for sex partners. All that creates is a large pile of internalized homophobia, internationalized racism, and a heaping load of therapy bills.

[cmar]

I am a gay white male who works for a LGBT organization. From my perspective, I see the same racism in the gay community that I see in the non-gay community. There is a stronger recognition in LGBT organizations of the need to be diverse, but that doesn't necessarily mean that racial equality exists outside of their media advertisements. etcj is correct --- gay organizations tend to have token members of each community on staff but rarely more than that, and even more rarely in a position of any power or influence. That is still the domain of white males. I wish that our community were doing a better job of recognizing the bigotry within its own walls.

[skatergrl]

I have to say, within my group of friends, we are a very diverse group of girls. Chinese, white, hispanic.....we are a mixed group and all gay, but i do have to say, i have other friends (girls who are gay) who choose not to be apart of my group because all my other friends are not asian. i don't feel that they are racist towards other people who are not asian, cause i don't think that asians can be racist considering we are a minority, maybe just not as welcoming as i would hope they would be. i find that a lot of all asians maybe don't really feel necessarily comfortable letting people of other races in, for whatever reason it be, but don't you think that might be contradicting of what we are all fighting for, to just be accepted, equally? whether it be gay, straight, white, or asian?? if anyone has some insight on this, please do share, i've been searching........

[Martino]

Originally Posted by skatergrl

I have to say, within my group of friends, we are a very diverse group of girls. Chinese, white, hispanic.....we are a mixed group and all gay, but i do have to say, i have other friends (girls who are gay) who choose not to be apart of my group because all my other friends are not asian. i don't feel that they are racist towards other people who are not asian, cause i don't think that asians can be racist considering we are a minority,

I ain't saying nothing about that BUT, from my experience, white gays who have experienced prejudice for themselves rarely give up their own prejudices because of it.

If anything, it might even reinforce prejudice - someone shits on them, so they want to shit on someone else.

[CEBA]

Originally Posted by etcj

Do you experience racism from other members of the gay community?
Yes, I personally have experienced racism directly and indirectly. I think the worst is reading those, "No Asians" messages online...bigotry anonymously...how messed up is that?

[/i]

hey! what about messages no whites! coming from asians?

[etcj]

Originally Posted by CEBA

hey! what about messages no whites! coming from asians?

This is the double standard between the power of queer Asians and Pacific Islanders versus white people.

Racist gay men will often emasculate Asians and Pacific Islanders in the process of stating their supposed racial preferences. It's a strong message when you see "No Asians" online, because it's often stated in phrases, such as, "No fems, fats, or asians." Certainly, I don't mean to justify the "No whites" phrases either, but you know that the roots of that declaration aren't as ugly and insidious as the "No Asians" crowd. Besides, those who complain about the "No whites" are often semi-retired white gay men who are trolling for someone half their age. Heh, that's a stereotype, but I got tons of Fridae profiles to prove it.

If anything, it's about who has the power to say "No [insert race here]". If you're talking about the United States, white gay men still hold a majority of the power in the community and most are oblivious to that fact. Just because they're gay and oppressed, they still possess white privilege. Asians and Pacific Islanders, especially those who identify as GLBTQ, are marginalized, made to feel as if they are inadequate and inferior...either as exotic imported pets or weepingly passive jailbait.

Of course, I'm not trying to overstate that we're victims...heh, I know I won't let myself be victimized (anymore). However, white people need to admit to the power that they possess before they can become an "ally" to stopping racism, especially gay men who think that we're just little ladyboys who cry, "Sucky sucky ten dollars."

[sandra]

before we venture into asian representation in the gay community...how about some gay asian representation within the asian community?

progressive asian communities often take up issues that don't just affect the asian community, but also other minority communities. the issues of gay marriages and gay rights, however, have been so far untouched...and i'm really waiting for just one gay asian lawyer to make an argument to the rest of the asian legal community. i mean...it is a civil right that's being violated.