Week 7&8 - Reading Response #2

In “Gay Asian-American Male Seeks Home,” Han’s essay is clear that he is against the way Asian men are portrayed in the media and America in general. He does not appreciate how Asian men are portrayed not only to look weak, but undesirable as well. Being a gay Asian male is even worse in his opinion, because the combination of being gay and Asian makes the stereotype even worse.

In his opinion, our society and media portrays white men as masculine. Now over the past few years, Han believes that even gay, white men are made to look like super studs. He doesn’t like that the Gay American male gets the respect while the Gay Asian Male is being rejected not only by American culture, but their own Asian culture as well. It appears, after reading this essay that it’s bad enough to be “marginalized” down to nothing in today’s American society, but the Asian community rejects them as well.

He explains the influences around the Asian gay males have caused them to conform to the “stereotypes” given to them. It has also led them more vulnerable to “unsafe sex” and diseases because they don’t have enough support available to them. In his opinion, it is apparent that gay, Asian males are getting the short end of the stick.

Han’s essay provides interesting information. Admittedly, I am a bit ignorant to Asian culture, but I don’t agree with his point of view. I can’t think of one gay Asian male, I have seen, from any TV related media. When I imagine an Asian male, I think of Jackie Chan or Bruce Lee, both are strong, fearless and masculine.