Reading Reflections #10: LGBQT the New Black?

In response to “Emergence of Queer Vietnamese America” by Masequesmay

            As a strong supporter of LGBQT rights, this article made me a little mad but, also very hopeful. The fact that Vietnamese people who identify as LGBQT are starting to come out and that they have a place to go to for support is great. They don’t have to hide their sexual desires for family obligations or conform to social expectations.

            But in the meantime, there are still too many obstacles. For one, people, Asians especially, just don’t talk about sex. Sex is taboo or it’s just for the bedroom. Well, I think that’s really dumb. Sex is arguably the most natural thing we do. After all, the main goal for any animal is to survive and reproduce. Everybody knows about it. Most people enjoy it. So, why is it so taboo?

Another obstacle is stupid filial piety and family obligations. For all my life my parents have made it very obvious to myself and my brothers that we are to get married and have children. I can’t imagine this being very different for any other Asian person. With all these expectations and pressure, how could an obedient child be gay or lesbian? That’s like stabbing your parents in the heart and expecting them to forgive you.

There’s also the social stigma and hardships that comes with being LGBQT. Why are members of this community constantly denied basic human rights? In a lot of ways they’re kind of replacing US’s problem of racial diversity. America’s already discriminated against every single non-white race, so why not turn on the LGBQT community? You can’t get married or adopt children. You can’t visit your significant other if he/she is lying in the hospital moments away from death. All just because some powerful white men say you can’t. I’d continue but that’s a rant for another time.

Anyway, I’m really glad that these women have finally gotten a chance to be their true selves. Hopefully, in the years to come, more people will find the courage to come out to their families and communities. And maybe they won't be treated as lesser humans. After all people in the LGBQT community are just amazing. This woman included.

Do you think the LGBQT “problem” is replacing US’s problem with racial diversity? Have members of the LGBQT become the new “black”?

What other obstacles are there keeping Asians from coming out as LGBQT?

Aren’t you glad we are done with blog posts?

Linda Wei

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