Vong Sundara and other "Gay Asian Videos"

Have you ever searched "gay asian" on search engines before? I searched "Gay Asian" on Youtube recently and found many videos of Asian men kissing other Asian men, or slideshows of Asian men working out. So I thought I would filter through the results and post some of the more interesting videos.

Vong Sundara

Vong is a comedian from Canada. I have not followed up on his work, but he could be potentially funny. This act was borderline mediocre.

Chinky Twinky

In this video, I learned a new term for young gay Asians. It's "Chicky Twinky"? Really? I don't know if I should laugh or cry.

Vlogs

I think this came up as a playlist search result, but I liked the 80's outfit in this video. I checked out his other Vlog entries; his videos seem very positive and lighthearted.

Overall, many of the videos that come up are sexual in nature. No surprise there. However, there aren't many videos on lesbian, but I guess I could search "Asian lesbian" next time.

open your mind hindustan times ad

I thought this ad for the Hindustan Times was hilarious. In the ad, a man gets his friend's attention to point out and make fun of a gay couple. His friend in return hits him with a newspaper. The ad ends with "It is time to open our minds."

2009 NQAPIA Conference

Sorry, this post is almost two weeks overdue. As some of you may know, based on my rave about NQAPIA weeks during the months leading up to it, you'd know I wouldn't miss it for the world. Now, I'm going to try to recollect what happened.

The Southeast Asian Queer Caucus was the first convening of queer identified Southeast Asians in recent history. The caucus was led by SeaQuel, a subgroup of Prysm based in Providence. A significant number of attendees were also from SOY (Shades of Yellow) based in Minneasota. There, SeaQuel released their findings from their Queer Southeast Asian Census, which had 150 respondents from around the nation. This led to a discussion which formed the foundation for a possible future Southeast Asian Queer Network.

Other prominent figures I ran into at the Conference were Shirley Tan - advocate for UAFA, Grace - Boss of Khmer in Action, Good Asian Drivers and the Founder of LoveGAM.com. Though, I wished more political figures would have attended the conference (Evan Low).

Other than that, Seattle was beautiful and the nightlife was better than I expected. After the Conference I made it to the Wing Luke Asian American Museum. They had on display "Across the Spectrum: Stories from Queer Asian Pacific America." To my surprise, a fellow schoolmate and friend of mine was on display. Chinatown could use a little help. Food was mediocre, though they had a very cute "Cha Chaan Tangs," but not so good milk tea.

Oh well that's all, peace!

Asian Men Redefined 2010

Another juicy calendar of eye candy, if that's what you're into. I met the photographer about a month ago and he asked me to help him advertise. Profits are going towards charity, so don't feel bad about buying one.
Asian Men Redefined

Shirley Tan Testifies for the Uniting American Families Act

I just came across this video while surfing APA for Progress. In this video, Shirley Tan is testifying for Uniting American Families Act. The act would allow permanent residences to sponsor their "permanent partners" for permanent residency. In effect, this will also apply to LGBTQ couples that are currently barred from rights that come with marriage.



Click here for the APA for Progess Article.

Dr. Li-Ann Thio Widthdraws Acceptance to Teach

Dr. Li-Ann Thio had made a name for herself within gay and Asian communities. She is a member of the Singaporean Parliament and a law professor and was invited by NYU to be a visiting professor of Human Rights. However, her statements in regards to LGBTQ rights sparked much discontent among students:

"You cannot make a human wrong a human right," and "diversity is not a license for perversity."

According to APA for Progress, Dr. Thio recently withdrew her acceptance due citing pressures from the university community.

Many of my friends were on the fence on this issue, stating that schools should endorse multiple points of view, and that her stance on one issue should not impede on her ability to teach human rights. Although I do agree with the idea of intellectual diversity, in my opinion her viewpoint on the LGBTQ issues is not at all intellectual, and rather a huge insult. That's where I draw the line.

More on Dr. Li-Ann
APA for Progess
Disgrasian
Angry Asian Man | 2

lt dan choi fights don't ask don't tell

Since the day he came out in March, Lt. Dan Choi's activism has been getting a lot of visibility. It is impossible not to see something about him if you follow LGBTQ or Asian news. I find it impressive that he has brought a lot of attention to the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. In my opinion, the focus of LGBTQ activism in the last few years has been predominately about Marriage Equality. And now suddenly Don't Ask Don't Tell is all over the radar with Dan Choi as the poster boy of the campaign.

If you want to know more about Choi, YouTube him.

His most recent letter writing campaign is to the Army and can be found at Courage Campaign. That was for Tuesday, but you can still sign it. Your comments will go directly to Choi.

Here's an old Daily Show video that I can't find on Youtube: Dan Choi is Gay.

3rd Annual Amazingly Queer Race for Economic Justice,

Shoot me, I'm late. This year's Amazingly Queer Race for Economic Justice just took place May 30th, 2009. This news has been flashing in my face on my friend's (a fellow particpant) GChat status for the past month.

Queers for Economic Justice is a non-profit organization promoting economic justice in the context of sexual and gender libearation. The organization does advocacy work, public education, grassroot organizing and research. In other words, they help economically disadvantage queer identified persons.

For more information about the race, hit up their blog.

Asian Pacific Male Calendar - 2010

This is a little something for those looking for a little male eye-candy: 12 possibly hot males; one for every month of the year.

Moving on to more important issues. If you need compelling (or an excuse), the reason this calendar was created is to benefit some health center in Los Angeles.

Proof:
"We're producing a calendar to benefit the Asian Pacific Health Care Venture of Los Angeles..." -APMCaldendar

QAPI 2009 Conference

Early registration for the QAPI 2009 National Conference has just ended. This year's theme seems to be "Trangress, Transform, Transcend." I have never been to this conference before, but hope to check it out this year. The conference is running from August 14th to August 16th in Seattle, Washington. For more information visit the National Queer API Alliance.

I came across a video titled "Up In Da Club - Part 2" from Wong Fu Productions. I know, I know; it's about some guy trying to learn how to impress a girl at a club; very heteronormative. But just wait and watch. Once you hit ~7:00 you'll run into some queer positive images. Sweet.

Evan Low - Youngest Gay Male City Council Member

So I remember I came across this guy a while back while surfing the net, and I totally forgot to bookmark him. I asked everyone a few months ago if they knew of any gay asian male politician. The only person I could find of at the time was Mike Gin, the log cabin republican mayor of Redondo Beach, but I knew it wasn't him. Finally, he was listed today as one of AngryAsianMan 30 under 30 series. Thanks Phil Yu!

"In 2006, at age 23, Evan Low made history when he became first Chinese American, openly gay, and youngest person ever elected to the city council in Campbell."

He makes me kind of jealous.
Click Angrylink for more information.

Racism is Toxic!

I attended the last half of an environmental injustice lecture on why minority groups tend to be left out of the green movement today. The different movements happening in and around campus and the city: students distributing donated (compact flouresence light) CFL bulbs and educating about them to underpriveleged neighborhood, sustainable food development, etc. Here are some of the reasons why the green movement have been inaccessible to underprivileged or minority groups:
1. Sustainable food alternatives isn't really sustainable when you have no money to sustain it with.
2. They grow boring foods. Where's my bok choy or water spinach.
3. CFL are... an investment, but expensive.

*Note: I missed a decent part of the presentations, so what I put here is probably a skin deep review of the problem*

Helen Zia at Bryn Mawr

I came across this event on Facebook. Helen Zia is a renowned Asian American and gay rights activist. She has been quoted by former president Bill Clinton in two separate speeches at the Rose Gardens. Her work on the Vincent Chin case was documented in the Academy Award nominated "Who Killed Vincent Chin?"
She will be talking at Bryn Mawr in an event titled "Crossing Boundaries in a 'Minority' Majority America and Other Diversity Challenges." If you're in the area, you should go. I would.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Dalton Hall Room 300, Bryn Mawr, PA
Click Here for the Facebook event.

Tongzhi in Love (彼岸浮生 - bi an fu sheng)

I just came across this documentary at angryasianman.com's post titled "the oscar-winning work of ruby yang." Tongzhi (同志), from my knowledge, is slang for gay. It's offical meaning is comarde, but I'm not sure who uses it in that sense anymore. However, it is widely used and the accepted term for gay that I know of in Hong Kong.

According to the website synopsis, Tongzhi in Love follows the life of Frog Cui and his friends, gay men living in Beijing. Frog, who is now 28 years old, is conflicted between his gay identity and identity as a Chinese man who must fullfill his filial duties. His mother arrives in town to find girlfriends; he knows he cannot delay any further. Frog decides to come out to his family. He and his friend Xiang Feng travel back to the family village, but things do not turn out as planned.

"Of the three filial offenses, failing to maintain the subsequent generation is the worst.”
– Confucian Teaching

This film is directed by the Oscar and Acadamey Award winning Ruby Yang. She recieved both the Oscar and the Academy Award for her documentary, The Blood of Yingzhou District, about HIV/AIDS in China.

Click Here for Tongzhi in Love Offical Site

GET ON THE BUS!

Okay, so I haven't posted anything queer or Asian lately, but this is something related to my hometown.... Philly. It's a shame I could not be there to rally, but if you're in the area, please show us your support.

GET ON THE BUS!!
Wed., April 8th @ 11a.m - Harrisburg

March 18th, 2009 - PA Gaming Board Control Press Release:

"The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board today requested that representatives of the two holders of Philadelphia slot machine licenses appear before the Board at its April 8, 2009 public meeting and provide a full and complete update on the status of their projects."
Full Press Release: http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us/?pr=253

Why should you go?
1.) A trip to Harrisburg with AAU, Casino-Free, and the City-Wide Coalition
2.) To learn more about the plans Foxwoods has for Philadelphia
3.) You'll show the PA Gaming Board & casino representatives the strength of the community's opposition
4.) Be a part of the fight!

Buses leave 8 a.m. on 30th St. between Market and Chestnut Sts.
Tickets = $20 apiece sliding scale
Contact Asian Americans United at 215... to reserve seats today!

GET ON THE BUS! Contact AAU to reserve your seat!

seaQuel and PrYSM

Public trasnportation in Providence is tough on Sundays (RIPTA). I had to make my way over to PrYSM's office for a seaQuel meeting. seaQuel stands for Southeast Asian Queers United for Empowerment and Leadership. Here's their mission statement:

"provide a safe and supportive space for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, queer and questioning (GLBTQQ) as well as straight SEAA (Southeast Asian American) youth where they can lead healthy lives and develop their leadership and organizing skills to become involved in creating social change in their communities. seaQuel builds the leadership skills of SEAA youth, brings cross-cultural and inter-generational dialogue on sexuality to the SEAA community, and seeks to challenge the larger GLBTQQ community's definition of diversity."

This was my first seaQuel meeting ever, and my first time ever at PrYSM's Office. I definitely had a warm welcome. The staff are professional, but the space defintely can make one feel at home. From my understanding, seaQuel meeting runs bi-weekly.

For more about PrYSM click here.
For more information about seaQuel click here.
seaQuel is also on Myspace!

For A Queer Friendlier ECAASU

I spent all of last weekend at my first East Coast Asian American Student Union (ECAASU) conference ever. I had wanted to go for 4 years, but everytime they held a conference, I was either out of the country or had no funding. This year's ECAASU was held at Rutgers Univeristy, and they have a decent sized Asian/Asian-American population. It was the first time for me being in a banquet all filled with Asian American faces. Although there was such a large turnout, I felt a little unnerved by lack of queer sensitivity.

The Gay Asian Pacific Island Men of New York (GAPIMNY) and the South Asian Gay and Lesbian Association (SALGA) did hold a town hall meeting as one of ECAASU's few, if not only, queer centric workshop. Ironically, the workshop listed right underneath it was the heterocentric titled workshop "Male Sexuality Workshop, a workshop geared towards women."
My biggest gripe would have to be with the social mixers that were held. At the mixer I went to, we played a game of Confusion (an icebreaker where one has a list of tasks one asks others to perform as a way to get to know people). In my own opinion, I thought the tasks were non-condusive for getting to know people, and were very heterocentric.

This got me wondering; Why are Asian and Asian American more conservative on the issues of sexuality and homosexuality? I think the first thing that comes to people's mind are conservative Asian families. In my experience, I feel a lot of homophobia is exhbited from Asian American males. I think it may have to do with the Asian American male community becoming hypermasculine in order to combat imasculating stereotypes. Sometimes this results in homophobic tendencies.

Ending on a positive note, I was glad to see Queer friendly keynote speakers and artists. Most notably was Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai, a spoken word artist, in her shout out directed towards queer identified persons.

A Queer Asian Pacific Island National Conference

It's getting a late, but I wanted to post this conference on here before I lose the flyer.

The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) and the Pacific Northwest Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance are hosting a conference for queer identified Asian Americans (inclusive of South Asians) and Pacific Islander (API). It will be held between August 14 and 16th in Seattle, Wasington. Registration opens later this month (mid-march).

Seattle is far from the East Coast, but I hopefully will be saving enough money to attend this conference. For more information, click here visit their site under NQAPIA.

Asian-American Ivy League President

Jim Yong Kim will suceed James Wright as the 17th president of Darthmouth. He will be the first Asian-American to be president of an ivy league university. And guess where he graduated from... Brown University whose current President, Ruth Simmons, was the first Black Women to be President of an Ivy League university. I'm proud to see that more and more Asian/Asian Americans are holding important leadership positions and key roles in the US.

However, I do have to say I don't know much about him. I should probably do my research.

Click Here for the BrownDailyHerald article.

Self-Defense for LGBTQ

This is probably very awkward for a first entry:
We still have a long way in the war against homophobia. Just a few weeks ago in New York City (NYC), a man allegedly killed a man he had mistaken was gay because the man was walking arm-in-arm with his brother. I believe he is being charged for 2nd degree murder with hate-crime status. That reminds of what happened to me about two months ago in NYC. One of my best friends and I were walking home arm-in-arm in the cold, and as we crossed the street, a man in a car yelled out as us "fucking faggots."

Sometimes you might find yourself in one of these hostile situations, so maybe it isn't such a bad idea to pick up a few self-defense skills (remember SING from Miss Congeniality?). Project Connect and the Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE) are holding two workshops on self-defense for LGBTQ identified persons at the Asian & Pacific Island Coalition on HIV/AIDS (APICHA) . Click here to view the Facebook event information.

Click here for a CNN article on the alleged hate-crime above.