We need more diverse queer Asian American men in American media
Over the last few years, I've had the privilege to take diverse online classes with a range of universities, and, recently, ethnic studies classes with California State University-East Bay. Hands down, the top classes I took with CSUEB were (1) Asian American Intimacies and (2) Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities. Through these classes, I learned so much, including about the near-exclusive presentation of feminine and bottom queer Asian American men (as opposed to other kinds of queer Asian American men) in diverse American media. What does this tell me? We need more diverse queer Asian American men in American media.
There is nothing wrong with presenting feminine and bottom queer Asian American men in media (if representations are not derogatory/yellowface): this can be empowering for feminine and bottom queer Asian American men, who have often been erased from American discourses. There is so much diversity in the queer Asian American population, though - masculine jock tops, hairy sides, football-loving bear tops, you name it - and when we don't present these men, there are implications. These Asian American men may feel excluded/erased from American discourses. They may not see themselves in intimacy clips, and perhaps find it hard to build confidence and their own relationships - what could my relationship look like? We may perpetuate the myth that Asian men are innately feminine, which may bolster the 19th-century myth of the innately masculine white man given the American binary way of thinking and contribute to contemporary inequalities (feminine white boys and Asian men are placed below this white man in this peculiar American paradigm). We may not fully actualise what our media could look like - leading to reduced revenues for producers, among other things.
The good news is that we do have a little representation of diverse Asian American men - masculine tops like Peter Le associated with Peter Fever, Jeremy Long in sexy clips, and some men in Fire Island (compared to some of the white men presenting as more feminine in the film) - so we have someplace to start. Maybe we can have movies that portray masculine Asian American men - who love to passionately top - and are in loving relationships with feminine white bottoms that love to cook. Maybe we can have shows that present Japanese American masculine sides that are in love with androgynous Hispanic men that like to bottom - an Asian American Queer as Folk if you will. Joseph Lee, want to play this Japanese American character? We need intimacy clips that present muscular Asian American men that vigorously top feminine and verbal Black bottoms (who are also underrepresented in diverse media - think BBC/objectifications for white-centred agendas). We need movies that feature muscular Thai men, who like to eat French food, play American football with the guys, take short showers, and eat vegan food, and are interested in feminine, slightly hairy, bearded white bottoms.
In this kind of content, we can cut the racialisations - which may lead to the construction of stock characters/stereotypes - and add nuance to characters. Joseph Lee as a Japanese American masculine side perhaps likes to top sometimes - not all the time - which is completely normal. This could add suspense to narratives. Maybe he likes bottoms of all colours? A muscular Eurasian character could be 100% side - just doesn't like to top or bottom, really. He is 'Asian' but 'Asian' does not entirely define him, if he doesn't want it to - his queerness also defines him, his love of mathematics, his interest in lacrosse, and his passion to start a sustainable business. So much can be done here.
Maybe a way to discover how to construct and present diverse queer Asian American men in American media is to turn to queer Asian media - Thai BL shows, Japanese BL media, Present Perfect, Your Name Engraved Herein, and more. This can help us understand how to decolonise genders and sexualities, unsubjugate minority American characters, add further nuance to productions, and more. We do not need to only apply American customs. Of course, we should be mindful of appropriation - like how we should be mindful of presenting only certain character types. Maybe what I am trying to say - this is more than art, but also conscience, politics, humanity, and more, all in one. And, of course, there are implications.
While taking the classes at CSUEB, I did learn so much, but perhaps the near-exclusive presentation of feminine and bottom queer Asian American men (as opposed to other kinds of queer Asian American men) in diverse American media, and what it has told me, really stuck. What are your thoughts? Please do share them with the world.
Joseph is a postgraduate student currently based in Thailand and is interested in gender studies, Southeast Asian studies, international affairs, and other topics. Views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of the EGN staff.
