Sign In/Register Donate Now Newsletter Contact Help En Espanol My Account Donate Now Newsletter Contact Help En Espanol
GLAAD: Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Navigation
About GLAAD
Take Action
Support GLAAD
Events
Eye on the Media
Programs and Services
People of Color Media Program
   > About the POC Media Program
   > Communities of African Descent (COAD)
   > Asian Pacific Islander Community
   > Latina/o Community
   > LGBT Community in Latin America
   > Muslim/Arab American Community
   > LGBT Native American Community

GLAAD.org en Espaņol
Publications and Resources
Media Center
Asian Pacific Islander Community
Unfair and Unbalanced Reporting
poc media program > unfair and unbalanced reporting

POC Media Program Note: This article is not fair or balanced because the first two pages are loaded with ignorant, homophobic comments about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and gay marriage. It includes comments like "sexuality is a choice" and that gays and lesbians are "not restricted from equal rights" but that they "want a special right." Finally, after reading through the anti-gay rhetoric, two ministers who support same-sex marriage are quoted in the story. The article can do more harm than good - even though it includes two ministers voicing support for gay marriage - because some people may not read past the first 800 words.

Asian Week

We Asked, They Told
Chinese Americans unsettled on same-sex marriage

By Julie D. Soo, Special to AsianWeek, May 21, 2004

A largely Chinese American and Christian rally of some 7,000 in San Francisco's Sunset District last month would suggest that Chinese Americans are opposed to same-sex marriages. But sentiments are complex: Some in the religious community are steadfastly opposed to same-sex marriages, while prominent Chinese American political leaders such as Mabel Teng, San Francisco's assessor-recorder, profess to uphold equal rights for all. In between are those who are torn between personal beliefs and their church's official stand.

Rose Tsai, a former political candidate, is a member of one Christian group. She acknowledged that she may not be politically correct here in San Francisco but said she should be credited for being upfront.

"I may never get elected in San Francisco at this point," said Tsai, "but the view I share in upholding the 'one man, one woman for a lifetime' definition of marriage should be respected. In a democracy, even minority views should be respected."

Tsai also pointed to some inherent cultural aspects. "Chinese, in 5,000 years of history, have acknowledged that homosexuality has always existed. But, it is accepted with the understanding that you don't glorify such relationships," she said.

While opposing the marriage concept for same-sex couples, Tsai, a trained lawyer, does accept civil unions. "People have a right to make a contract," she said, but maintains that "marriage" has religious overtones and is reserved for a man and a woman. Tsai doesn't believe that same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue. "Civil rights are based on characteristics that cannot be changed [such as race]. I have not seen any conclusive scientific evidence that homosexuality is decided at birth. I believe that sexuality is a choice."

The Rev. Raymond Kwong, last month's rally's organizer of 180 Bay Area churches from various Christian denominations, represents the newly-formed Bay Area Christians For Traditional Marriage (BACFTM). He declined to name his church, explaining that a number of churches have been vandalized for taking an anti-same-sex marriage stance. Kwong said that the coalition is ethnically diverse even though the April 25 rally was overwhelmingly Chinese American.

Though BACFTM is urging the California Legislature to reject AB 1967, the Same-Sex Marriage Bill authored by Assemblyman Mark Leno, Kwong said the congregations are not hateful and indeed are accepting of gays and lesbians.

"Marriage as God ordained is between a man and a woman," said Kwong. "We love and minister to all people including gays and lesbians and do not advocate any hatred, let alone violence towards them."

Kwong, who has debated the virulently anti-gay Rev. Fred Phelps, is tired of being lumped into the same group as the fundamentalist right wing and being labeled a "bigot" or "homophobe." At the same time, Kwong's BACFTM members have been the target of racial remarks. "Many of the gay groups, such as Queer Nation, have yelled at us, 'Go back to China!'"said Kwong.

Kwong contends that gays and lesbians are not restricted from equal rights but, rather, must abide by the same rights and restrictions for heterosexuals.

"Gays are not deprived of any right to marriage; they just have to meet the requirement, which means finding an opposite-sex spouse," said Kwong. "To put it another way, clerks will not issue dog licenses to cats, and it is not out of 'bigotry' toward cats.

"Heterosexuals do not have a right to marry anyone they love, whether it be sister or daughter or a person who is already married. I'm restricted, too. Gays say, 'I don't want to marry a woman, I want to marry a man.' Well, what you want is a different issue. The fact is you have the same freedoms I have; you just don't want to exercise them. You want more than the same legal freedoms I have. You want a special right. Society has no obligation to grant that."

Kwong believes that by granting gay marriage, society is going down a slippery slope to legalized polygamy and polyamory or group marriage. He points to the 1972 Gay Rights Platform agreed upon by 200 gay activists that promoted goals such as legalizing prostitution and multiple partnerships, and lowering the age of sexual consent.

Like Tsai, Kwong does not believe that same-sex marriage is a civil rights issue. Even if many of the immigrant first-time protesters were made aware of the systematic discrimination against the Chinese through the Chinese Exclusion Acts, Kwong does not believe that the participants would change their cultural or religious views on same-sex marriage.

He explained, "We are sympathetic to true minorities. Gays and lesbians are not a genuine minority. The Supreme Court laid down qualifications of a minority and one is immutable characteristic - skin color. Have you ever met an ex-Asian? However, there are thousands of ex-gays."

Kwong said that African American congregations are upset over labeling same-sex marriage as a civil rights issue. "I have talked to many African American ministers and they are incensed that the civil rights bus has been hijacked by a radical group. When were there separate entrances for gays and straights? When have gays gotten worse jobs and lower pay than straight people? I've never seen any gays who had to go to the back of the bus."

The Rev. Cal Chin, ordained in 1966 and senior pastor at the Presbyterian Church in Chinatown, marched in Selma, Ala., along with other religious leaders. Because the church has not officially taken a position, Chin agreed to speak only for himself.

Chin does see same-sex marriage as a civil rights issue. His wife is not Asian, and he points to the anti-miscegenation laws that would have prevented their marriage if they were in place today.

Chin sees some cultural basis for Chinese American opposition to same-sex marriage.

Chinese Americans, Chin said, tend to place family and community over individual preferences and lifestyle. They think about what is best for the greater good.

"I wouldn't use 'conservative' to describe Chinese American views," said Chin. "I would say that Chinese Americans are more corporate in their thinking; they think about how an individual and an individual's actions impact the community. You can't act in isolation."

It is for that same reason that Rose Tsai said that same-sex marriage should be frowned upon. As an example, she points to Otis Charles, a retired Episcopal bishop who is a grandfather and was married for 42 years, before coming out as gay 11 years ago and recently marrying his partner of two years. "The bishop left his wife of several decades; should we celebrate that?" asked Tsai. "A relationship is not just about two people; it is about families and society. Love is not just satisfying yourself. Love should not be based on someone else's misery."

Chin and the Rev. Norman Fong, who ministers part-time at the same church and is known for his social activism through the Chinese Community Development Center, feel personal turmoil over the issue, sensing they are not free to do God's work for all followers. "All relationships, unions are a gift of God," Chin said.

Chin explains that unlike Catholicism, marriage is not a sacrament but the church has not yet allowed the Presbyterian pastors to perform same-sex unions or marriages. They can, however, perform an "in-church service of worship" or blessing.

Webster's Dictionary definition of "marriage" does not include any mention of religion and Chin recognizes the profoundness in questioning whether many opponents of same-sex marriage are simply reading more into the word and injecting religious overtones. "Strictly speaking, 'marriage' is a civil union," Chin said. "I can only perform an in- church service of worship because the state has granted a marriage license."

Both Chin and Fong see the Bible as a living, dynamic source that is inspiring and transforming, and are optimistic about positive social change.

Chin explains, "The Bible comes out of a particular historic context and the challenge is to bring it into current context. It must be read in context and read holistically. ... It fascinates me how change happens; is it culture that follows religion or religion then culture? The church generally follows society but once the church follows, there is quick transformation -- like the civil rights marches. The Bible can transform, revolutionize prejudice."

Radio talk show host and community leader Julie Lee has spoken to a number of Chinese Americans who feel that the issue is rather new for them. Many new immigrants, particularly those from China, have expressed that same-sex marriage is against culture and tradition.

"I can understand both sides," said Lee. "People who have called my radio show have said they feel same-sex marriage threatens the future generation. But, I think with more education, these people may feel differently. China used to jail homosexuals, but even China has become more open-minded," said Lee, referring to China's new "don't ask, don't tell"-type policy.

An immigrant herself, Lee says her feelings about homosexuality have evolved, crediting her four children for keeping her mind open, and she believes that same-sex marriage should be accepted.

Fong, often a firebrand for justice but stifled by his vows in this instance, is cautiously optimistic about the future of same-sex marriage.

"How do you interpret love, honor and justice today?" pondered Fong. "Before I die, I hope same-sex marriage will be accepted."

© 1994 - 2004 Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.    All rights reserved.    Privacy Policy   |   Terms of Use