Fridae

Brian Leung is the CEO and webmaster of the first gay webcast in Hong Kong - www.gaystation.com.hk... The 36-yar-old who has been working in the HK's broadcasting industry for over 13 years launched gaystation.com.hk in early 2000.

GayStation webcasts Chinese (Cantonese) programmes hosted by gay celebrities and spokespersons from various lesbian/ gay organizations covering gay culture, religion, sex, music, entertainment, politics to lifestyle.

Brian is also the first openly gay jockey in HK who has worked as music director in all of the three local radio stations.

About Brian

æ: Do you believe in monogamous or open relationships? Are you in one?

brian: I don't believe any form of relationship, be it open or monogamous, will work without the mutual respect and consensus of the two people concerned. It's up to you to define your own relationship, rather than letting relationship pattern to define how you should relate to people. Gay people have spent so much energy and effort to prove to the world that there's more to love and relationship than boy meets girl. It would be ironic if we attempt to frame gay relationship into some sort of acceptable norm.

Personally, I don't think monogamy works for me, but I know quite a number of stable gay relationships that thrive on monogamy. It does sometimes make things easier and less complex. So it really depends on the person. If you go for monogamy, fine. Enjoy it; just don't make judgment to others that think otherwise.

æ: What kind of underwear person are you?

brian: Cotton, or nothing at all! I believe certain parts of your body only go well with cotton. And they long for nice fabrics rather than a nice brand tag!

æ: What's your favourite CD?

brian: I live and work for music. So it's never an easy question for me. I could never make up my mind on ONE - it's never easy to have a monogamous relationship with music! But I've been asked several times about what song I would pick in my own funeral.

Well, that's an easy one - Being Boring by Pet Shop Boys. Being a gay teenager who's still trapped in his sexual anxiety and frustration in the 80's, the PSB sound had offered so much relief and enlightenment in those bewildered years. PSB, with their creative works and outrageous image, has proved to the world that there could be so much wit, beauty, courage, fun and glamour to the name "gay". Being Boring captures so vividly what it's like to be gay and different from the 20's to the 90's - tragic but beautiful, sad but daring, lost but found.

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æ: Have you ever participated in any pro-gay or lesbian events/parties/workshops? If so, which?

brian: I was at the Washington March last year in March and attended Equality Rocks concert in JFK Stadium. To me, it's more than just a political experience. To be surrounded by 50,000 other gays and lesbians in the auditorium, it's so overwhelmingly religious. Never in my life did I experience such a strong sense of togetherness. And seeing acts like George Michael, kd Lang, Melissa Etheridge, PSB...performing and coming out on stage, it had a profound impact on my entire gay psychic. And in the rally, there were armies of shirtless beefcakes and topless feminist dykes... I'd never seen that many tits dangling in front of me under the red hot Washington sun!

æ: What do you think we need most in Asia's gay and lesbian community?

brian: We desperately need a sense of unity and brotherhood (or sisterhood?!). Our cultural baggage has long given us so much doubts and complex about coming to terms with who we really are sexually. It's time we break free and move on. We focus too much on building an infrastructure or industry to gratify our suppressed sexual needs. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. But it's time we cultivate ourselves a cultural platform big enough to let us thrive as a race and culture, not just some second-class citizens. Tone down some unnecessary cynicism and sacarcism that we rely so much in the past as defence. Time to build positively a way to live gaily...

æ: In the context of being an Asian gay or lesbian, do you have any personal role models/inspirations?

brian: The infamous Taiwanese novelist, Mr. Pak Sin Yung (not sure about the official translation), has always been my role model. His novels and literature had profound influence on me during my formative years. He's openly gay but he's never a drama queen in the gay issue. To him, being gay is no different from being human. We need to have sympathy and empathy toward humanity before anything else. He once commented, "The times are always changing. Political regime and power come and go. Only culture will prevail..." To prevail, we need to build up a solid culture of our own.

æ: What advice would you give to someone who is trying to come to terms with his or her sexuality?

brian: Closets are for clothes...

Apr�s Interview

æ: What is your kinkiest experience?

brian: I am never a very kinky person, I wish I were. But during those explorative wild teenage years, i bumped into a private dungeon s/m party in downtown San Francisco. I recalled i was the only Asian there. At first, I was so scared, but at the same time too curious to chicken out. But lucky me, I came to know some real gentle leathermen there, who respected me the right to choose just watching from a distance.

æ: Which is sexier, mind or meat?

brian: Mind with the right frame. And meat with a brain, at least.