China’s First Gay Male Pageant Isn’t (Only) About the Swimwear Competition
Pageants, of the beauty variety, are becoming less and less relevant in America. Were it not for Carrie Prejean answering a question a certain way, and the Twitter crowd picking it up and memeing it, none of us would even know who won the Miss USA pageant. (Actually, without Wikipedia, we would’ve already forgot.) Gay pageants are even less capable of drawing attention, mostly because their intended audience (the queers) is smaller, but also because we’re arguably an even more apathetic group. The only reason some of you know there’s such a thing as “Mr. Gay UK” is because one of its former winners, Anthony Morley, was found guilty of murder (and eating his ex-boyfriend’s flesh). But in China, where the gay community operates in a state of flux, somewhere between acceptance and stigmatization, a gay pageant is actually making news. Particularly because it’s believed to be the nation’s first.
Even the Chinese state-controlled media is writing favorably about the Mr. Gay China pageant, where eight contestants will compete in typical swimwear and talent competitions. It’s a big deal in a hugely populous country, where the first-ever gay pride parade in Shanghai was a tangible mile marker in China’s gay rights struggle.
This pageant, then, is as much about crowning someone Mr. Gay China as it is about normalizing the image of gay Chinese men there. And abroad? It’s about reminding everyone that, damn, these guys are sexy.
(Video via Guardian)
I was bursting with pride when I saw this.
I was bursting with something as well, and then it burst. Yum.
The Chinese never cease to amaze me. This is nearly a quarter of the world’s population, and what strides they are making, especially considering where things were for gay people there only a short time ago.
Just terrific, China, keep up the good work. Also, send us more pictures of your cute guys!
Queerty editors–please use the present perfect tense correctly!
“Actually, without Wikipedia, we would’ve already forgot.”
forgotten, not forgot.
:)
I have always had a thing for asian guys. For some reason,
they are rarely considered in groups of hotties. There is
the myth of having small tools, Take a Japanese guy for
a test ride, and you will be in for a HUGE suprise……..
How bout some MG asian guys???????
No, that is not the only reason we have heard of Mr Gay UK. Could it possibly be – OMG – that some of your readers are from the UK? If you must disrespect people constantly, at least try not to disrespect the people you’re doing this for – your readers.
I think I need to visit Asia. Again.
I want to start a church in China.
Woo hoo… I am a rice queen.
Awesome. Congrats to these guys.
More Asian coverage always welcome.
not a fan of pageants. I mean, you win based on your looks, no? But, I did dig this clip and am happy with the progression gays are making in China. May they be safe and continue to be accepted.
These guys are hot, no question. China is making strides, no question. I cringe at “rice queens” however. Especially in the Bay Area, where there are all these ungroomed and overweight 55 year old white guys with a little diminutive Asian guys. It just seems… I don’t know what the word is, except “yucky”.
Beautiful. Thank you!
No. 11 ยท Fitz: That would qualify as “double yucky” : P
ummm, why do most oriental guys have small peepees? just a thought
Between the stereotyping and the offensive “oriental guys”, you forfeit the right to a rational discussion.
@Fitz
are you oriental? u too have a small peepee i guess.
it’s about time! would love to see them all over and they should wear micro swimwear
The stereotypes of asian men are flaccid and OLD.
Gay asians are a very unpretentious group of people and I applaud this group’s effort and use of good public relations to enlighten and educate the community.
Looking forward to the day when I don’t have to see the words “rice” and “small dick” in reference to asian men.
Um, Go China.