Fridae

2001 has been a watershed year for many of us. Numerous events signalled a renaissance in the Asian gay and lesbian community. Despite catastrophic events such as those on 9-11 and the global recession, this was the year that saw our fledgling community achieving significant milestones in stepping out of our collective closets.

In March, China's psychiatric association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder, a move in line with international medical standards (and about time!). In August, despite fierce opposition from Christian religious groups, the Taiwanese government granted funds of NT$1 million to subsidise a gay and lesbian event on Chinese Lovers' Day. September saw the 4th Annual Tongzhi Conference Taipei, the first time it has been held outside Hong Kong.

Later in the year, Stanley Kwan's Lan Yu, a movie with a gay love story as it's central theme swept the prestigious Golden Horse Awards. This was remarkable considering not only the graphic nature of the film, but also because the film did not denigrate homosexuality.

Even Singapore, long considered straight laced by many, experienced its first "Pride" party during their National Day celebrations. "Nation" attracted not only partygoers from all over Asia, but also positive press from the BBC and AFP. Such an event would have been unimaginable a few years ago.

But for each step forward, some of us took a few steps back. Malaysia's Prime Minister threatened to ban gay Ministers from the UK, surely a sign that prejudice continues to exists at the very highest ranks. Bangkok's crackdown on "vice" was also not so innocent. Whilst any attempt to clean up the city are to be applauded, it appeared that gay establishments were singled out and subjected to stricter guidelines. In any case, we miss our playground!

But through all of this, a 2001 saw a proliferation of gay and lesbian bars, clubs, saunas all over Asia - from Taipei to Singapore, from KL to Bali. No longer relegated to the backlanes and alleyways of the collective social consciousness, gays and lesbians in Asia were mentioned in the news, no longer with contempt, but as a matter of fact. Not only are homosexuals in Asia starting to come out in droves (in no small part due to the flow of information on the Internet), but the rest of the Asian community is also proving to be a lot less homophobic than we imagined! Whoever said homosexuality is not an "Asian value" has obviously assimilated too many homophobic Western ones!

Who knows what 2002 will bring?

We at Fridae.com are very proud to be with you at this exciting juncture in the development of our community. We will continue not only to bring the news to you, but keep you in touch with the rest of the Asian gay and lesbian community. Thank you for making us a part of your lives.

Happy 2002!

Stuart Koe
COO, Fridae.com