Gaysians I Look To

Ronan, beautifully photographed by Norm Yip, 2011. (S)

Shirtless, Ronan looks to the left. He is thinking about something. The light illuminates his face at just the angle to bring out his calm yet strong features. Beneath, his toned body completes the image of youth and wonder. This is one photo of many I admire. It was photographed and processed by Norm Yip, a photographer based in Hong Kong. He does the photography that most photographers do: weddings, models and fine art—but he also regularly updates a series called: “The Asian Male.” Some see his work as slightly pornographic and shallow, but I disagree. One could easily be distracted by the hot guys, but if one really looks at the skill of his art and the purpose behind his art, one sees more than hot guys.

Objectively, the photos are good. He makes good use of lighting and color, flow, suggestion and focus. Secondly, he isn't just photographing hot guys, but hot asian guys. This is a bold statement in a culture in which asian males are generally asexualized and feminized. There's nothing wrong with asexuality and femininity, but when these characteristics are assumed about an entire group of people because of limited depictions in media, we have a problem. I face this problem in the gay dating scene when guys dismiss me because they assume I’m an awkward nerd kid. Also bad is when guys are attracted to my asian features, expecting a "bottom boy," aka. a guy they can exert their masculinity over. Some guys are into that, but I'm not, and it frustrates me when guys expect that. 

Evan Low (S)

I thank Mr. Yip for crafting this vision of asian male beauty that ranges from the lithe and elegant to the bold and masculine. There is diversity in our population, and he presents it well. I am an engineering student, and I already fit into a lot of asian stereotypes. However, what Mr. Yip’s art affirms for people like me is that I do not need to fall into any roles because of my race. The stereotypes I do fit into, I fit into by choice. Ideally, no one needs a stranger to tell them that they don’t need to fit into stereotypes, but in case you feel trapped by mainstream culture and need proof, The Asian Males are just a click away.

Another person who makes me proud to be asian and gay is Evan Low. In America, political representation is associated with integration. When we elected Mr. Obama, people spoke of the possibility of a post-racial America, one in which the barriers of color have been broken down. I do not think we have reached that state, but what I do agree on is that we are moving towards a more equal America, especially in Campbell, California. In December 2009, gay-identified Evan Low was appointed mayor of Campbell, becoming the first gay, asian mayor and the youngest mayor in the country. Go Evan! He also has academic credentials, having graduated from the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. 

Tell all the asian parents it's okay to be gay, because you can be like Evan Low!

After Harvard, Evan Low was elected to the City council in 2006. During his time as a city council member and mayor, Evan Low and his fellow council members have delivered a balanced city budget every year without compromising on public safety. He has worked for more transparency in government by making all city council meetings available online and making himself available through “mobile office hours.” He has supported the economic growth of small businesses by streamlining the process for becoming registered. He also supports sustainability, working on policy that promotes energy conservation. 

Evan Low is an attractive guy, and he is doing well as a politician, so why isn't he in San Francisco, San Jose or LA? Those places seem like good fits. To this question, Mr. Low answers: "To me, it's about making a difference in the community I live in... Campbell is my home." I really respect him for this. It would be so much easier to be with all the other gay people in San Francisco, but Mr. Low cares about his community. Even though he may receive hate mail and threats of a recall for his opposition to Prop 8, he stays. When we stay in our communities and stay true to ourselves, we expand the image queer people in those communities. Go Evan! Evan Low is sure to continue his successful political career, and I look forward to see what he does. 

In this first blog post, I have only written about two gay Asians that I appreciate for their work, but there are many other gays, Asians, friends and family members that have helped me in the development of my gaysian identity.

I really want to improve my blog posting, so please share your thoughts with me! Do you have a favorite gaysian? Do you have any questions about the gaysian experience? Did I get anything factually wrong? Next week, I will take a break from the gaysian thread of thought, and write about Alan Turing, the father of the computer.