Queer + Asian = ?

ALL WELCOME to a special workshop/discussion this Wednesday February 8 from 2pm-3pm in SUB 212A.  Free refreshments provided!!

This workshop examines the particular difficulties and unique challenges of being Asian in the Queer Community as well as being Queer in the Asian Community, and provides resources for those trying to navigate both communities.  Aimed at any and all people who have an interest in the Gay and/or Asian Community, regardless of if they identify as straight, queer, homosexual, gay, lesbian, questioning, bisexual, trans, Asian, of Asian decent, part-Asian, or non-Asian!

Listen to people share their stories, discuss important issues, and ask any question your heart desires...

• Does being “queer” have a different meaning in the Asian Community than in the mainstream?
• Is it a social matter or a private matter? Is the concept of sexuality as identity a “Western Phenomenon”?
• What does it mean to be “gay” in the Asian community? What are the results, repercussions, expectations? What about marriage, kids?
• What is it like to live as an openly queer Asian person?

• Is homophobia worse in the Asian community?
• Is it harder in Vancouver than in other places?
• How can we get parents/families to understand?

• Is racism worse in the gay community?
• Is there a “pecking order”? even among Asians?
• Do queer Asians feel isolation? rejection? invisibility?
• Do queer Asians have a sense of being fetish-ized?
• Does racism in the gay community make a person want to try to be “less/more Asian”?
• Is it harder for 2nd Generation Asians than new immigrants?

• Where can a person go for help? What organizations are out there?
• Do the existing organizations meet the special needs of queer Asian Canadians?