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October 2000   Newsletter of CRA - A Gay Chinese Organization in Los Angeles   Volume 5  Issue 10

From the Chair

My fellow tongzhis:

Our September social in WeHo was special because besides the usual great food, most friendly atmosphere, we had the HIV awareness games provided by APAIT representatives. The games were well prepared and executed, so they were both fun and educational. Winners got movie theater tickets and souvenirs. Special thanks to our gracious host Lothar, and to Noel A. and Jih-fei, whose youthfulness, good looks and bilingual ability charmed many. Knowledge about HIV and other STD's is not only important to us gay men, but VITAL. It can be a matter of life-and -death! I pan to have more outreach efforts like that in our future functions.

Like June, October is traditionally a happy month for us. there are two shows and a big costume party.

Besides the hunks, the two shows include or emphasize drag queens, a gay specialty. As gay people, we have the unique sensitivity to appreciate the ART of female impersonation. It is said that many of us possess the quality

of yin and Yang -- we are gifted in this way and sophisticated enough to appreciate the intricate illusion of the feminine beauty and glamour. So let's all attend these functions, which involve many of our ASIAN brothers, and support this art form. For, if we don't, who will?

For the co-sponsored Halloween party, let's dress in Chinese or other Asian costumes and show them we know how to have fun and show our heritage and pride. For at least one time a year, let your inhibition and hair down, put on your special costumes (and maybe your dancing shoes), and be a queen (or a king) for a day (or for 4 nights). We live only ONCE!

While we are having fun, let's mot forget about the serious side of life. November is just around the corner. If you are a US citizen, you must vote. The Democrats are our friends and the Republicans our foes. And it's more than just for the next four years. Supreme justice appointments by the next President will directly affect OUR LIVES for decades to some! I am talking about our civil rights as worthy human beings.

Personally, ever since I became a citizen in the early 70's, I have not missed a single major election. I remember I went to vote early in the morning in Orange County, in front of me and behind me were old white ladies (many young people were working or on their way to work). My fellow tongzhis, we must not let other people decide what kinds of laws and leaders to govern us. Each of us have come a long way. we WILL NOT accept anything less than what we all deserve. We must work towards complete equality for the GLBT people. voting is perhaps the most effective way, and it takes only a few minutes!

Some of my acquaintances went to vote in Taiwan earlier this year. They traveled for thousands of miles to exercise their voting right. SHOULD WE DO ANY LESS?

There is a time for partying, and there is a time for serious involvement. Let's do both.

Andre T.

 

 
RICE, RICE, AND MORE RICE
I remember the 70's as bring the first decade in which gay terminology really caught on and exploded. "Rice queen" was popularized then to mean a gay Asian or some one who is attracted to the Asian. In San Francisco people started to call a bar or disco catering mainly to Asian clientele a "rice bar' or "rice palace."

Some people today are offended by these terms, as they that they objectify the Asian -- Asians are viewed as food or objects to be consumed. How do you feel on this issue?

Here is a list I myself compiled recently on the theme of "rice." It is meant to be humorous.

term (gay) definition

sticky rice: An Asian who is attracted to other Asians

Spanish rice: An gay Asian who is from Mexico or other Spanish-speaking countries

white rice: An Eurasian

brown rice: A Filipino

fried rice: An Asian on drug

stale rice: An aging or old Asian

soft rice: An effeminate Asian

hot rice: A very sexy Asian

(I know there are other terms out there, please add your own to this list.)

 

WHY AM I LIVING HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

by Andre' T.

The l960's were truly special times. In the U.S. the hippy movement, the anti-war movement, the sexual revolution. I was then a student in Texas, happily in Austin, a college town and an oasis among the many ultra-conservative communities of this vast state.

I remember joining the anti-war march, buying my first pair of bell-bottoms, and the colorful tank top just became fashionable. I thought I looked so groovy and far-out in them. When hippies discovered "flower power" and "free love," homosexuals became "gay" and happy to boost their self-esteem and pride. Though the Stonewall incidence in New York is said to trigger and symbolize something, it is the sexual revolution in general that made the gay liberation movement so visible and powerful.

I went through the "why me?" period, and it didn't last long. When I hit the first gay disco in l970, I was reborn. From a serious all-A student (is there another kind among Asian students?), I instantly became a "bar fly," going out every night and living it up. In fact I soon became a waiter in the best gay disco in town. I worked there happily until the last few days before I left Texas for good.

For the first time a new group called The Gay Liberation Front was formed in my school. I went to their first meetings. No one would let us have a meeting place in the Student Union, but a women's group did graciously lent us a site. The feminist movement had just started, and apparently they regarded us gays as another oppressed minority and feel sorry for us. The GLF was a loosely organized group without structure, but @ each meeting, attendees would speak up and discuss issues on oppression, equality and pride. I saw a bumper sticker that says "Gay is Good, Sixty-nine is Fine." It was truly a sign of the time when gay pride was truly born. (To be continued)