Gay chinese new year 2022
The Lunar New Year can be a dreadful time for Chinese queers. New Year festivities typically involve up to fifteen days of visiting family and catching up with distant relatives. In between feasting and receiving ang pows (red packets of blessings filled with cash), LGBTQIs will find themselves fielding and fending off awkward questions from relatives who, as if sanctioned by blood relations, seldom hold back: “Got girlfriend or not?”; “When will you get married?”; “How will you get a boyfriend dressing like that?”
These blunt questions, almost de rigueur in Chinese New Year settings, are what LGBTQIs have come to anticipate. No amount of comfort eating or ang pow money from the festivities can compensate for the host of complex feelings. In fact, the ang pow itself is a source of anguish. Customarily given out by married couples to “single” family members, LGBTQIs with no access to marriage in most Chinese-dominant societies, but who venture to bring their partners to these festive occasions, often find themselves and their “friend” recipients of the red packet, a gesture of
Photos: Lunar New Year for All contingent barrels through Chinatown
A sprawling LGBTQ contingent joined the 25th annual Chinese New Year Parade and Festival in Chinatown on February 12 as marchers and participants celebrated the year of the rabbit.
The Lunar New Year for All contingent featured dozens of individuals from multiple groups who hoisted Trans Flags, Rainbow Flags, and LGBTQ-inclusive signs up in the air and celebrated inclusivity. One of the leading banners on display at the event read, “Wishing You a Joyful New Year from Your Asian LGBTQ Family and Friends.” Another sign stated, “I am an Asian queer and I respect my family.” One sign featured a picture of rabbit surrounded by the words “queer,” “trans,” “Asian,” and “proud.”
“I was delighted to march with the Lunar New Year for All contingent in the parade in Manhattan’s Chinatown on Sunday,” said Pauline Park, who marched in the first LGBT contingent in the history of the parade in February 2010, adding, “I applaud Karen Lee
CHICAGO—Taking a cross-dressing twist for the Year of the Dragon, members of Asians and Friends Chicago (AFC) will host a dinner-and-drag musical revue, celebrating the Year of the "Drag-on" and bringing together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer (LGBTQ) community to recognize the start of the lunar calendar.
The dinner will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Pho Viet, 4941 N. Broadway in Chicago at 7 p.m. Highlighting the evening will be a raffle and special performances by AFC members based on the five dragon elements: fire, water, air, planet and metal.
"We're the only LGBTQ organization in the city that hosts a Chinese New Year event and we're happy to do so," said Angel Abcede, president, Board of Directors, for AFC. "Our members look forward to this annual gathering, which is known not just for the fine cuisine, but for our original, home-spun entertainment."
Tickets are $45/presale (online until Wednesday, Feb. 21) and $55 at the door. To purchase tickets,
Asia is incredibly diverse. While Lunar New Year (1 February 2022) is celebrated in many Asian countries, every community has their own way of celebrating the festival with special foods and treats. Join this online catch-up with GAP members and Asian same sex-attracted men to perceive how different cultures commemorate Lunar New Year. Share memories of your favourite Lunar New Year feasts and cooking with the group, and learn more about the similarities and differences.
GAP members Kit and Nathan, owners of My Private Bake, will display you how to make a non-traditional kuih bakar, a accepted cake in Malaysia and Singapore, in a live online demonstration from their home kitchen. You will get the recipe at the end of the session.
This event welcomes cis and transgender gay, bisexual and queer Asian men of all ages and from all walks of life. Partners, families and friends are welcome. It will not be recorded for on-demand viewing.