Gay and lesbian culture in the US and China - Essay Example

Gay and Lesbian Culture In US and China Introduction Gay and Lesbian cultures are experienced throughout the world and these cultures are subcategory of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Queer) culture. These cultures are mostly commonly referred to as Gay culture, the term Gay culture may even be only used to represent same sex relationships between males. Gay and Lesbian cultures are practiced in different manners in different nations. The Gay and Lesbian cultures are highly acceptable in developed western nations such as US and certain regions of Europe.

On the other hand, there are strict rules and regulations regarding these cultures in the Asian regions. This writing will discuss the gay and lesbian culture practiced in US and China and how these practices may differ or relate to each other. Body Same sex sexual relationship was legalized in the region of Hong Kong during 1991, before this period same sex sexual matters were considered illegal when the British colonies ruled this region (Lilley 309). During 2005 same sex sexual relation was allowed at the age of 16 but for males this kind of relationship was only legal when they reached the age of 21.

During the period of 2005, this kind of legal variation was considered as violating equal rights and this law was abolished. During the period of 1990s, this kind of relationship was considered as deviant act by psychologists and law enforcement agencies in China. The Psychiatric association of China had labeled this kind of activity as a cognitive disorder and those who were involved in same sex sexual relationship were tried in accordance to the hooligan law (Sang 320). During the period of 1997, the hooligan law came to an end and during 2001 the association even removed this kind of activity from its list of cognitive disorder (Weston 232).

Right after 2011 the community of Chinese comprising of gay and lesbian relationship expanded throughout the nation and this resulted in creation of bars, websites, hangout areas for gays and several organizations developed for the rights of people who were involved in same sex relationship. These organizations started organizing campaigns for the rights of gays and conducted efforts for the protection of HIV and held several artistic festivals for gays and lesbians. Herdt states that same sex relationships were regarded as homosexual relationships during the 1950s and during the early years of 1960s, after this period, gay culture experienced ample amount of changes (Herdt 15).

During the 1800s and the 1900s the practice of same sex sexual relationships were quite secretive in US society and were dependant on secret codes and symbols. During this period gay culture was most commonly experienced in high culture of US. Men having same sex relationship were closely associated to theater that was musical in nature and the Hollywood’s Golden Age. For example in the movie named “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” there was a song which showed that Jane Russell is singing in gym while there were masculine men dancing around her while she was singing.

The entire setup including the song, music and the dance were created by men and according to Paul Rudnick, the men dancing around were more attracted to each other than Jane (Levy 480). During 1969, Stonewall riots took place and since this period, gay culture gained recognition as a normal faced of life. Gay men joined together and created The Violet Quill society and this society created stories regarding the experience of a gay relationship (Bergman xii). Celebrities involving Jane Fonda and Bette Midler gave ample amount of their busy schedules while providing social services to gay males and several celebrities have announced their own gay and lesbian relationships in front of the public.

The difference between homosexual culture of US and China is somewhat like China is experiencing gay culture which experienced by US during the 1960s. US has progressed in the matter of gay and lesbian relationships and in various states, the relationship has been accepted by law and society. For example: on December 4th of 2012, the city council of Atlanta passed a rule while supporting equality in marriage according to which Gay and Lesbians can get married in Atlanta city, even though the state of Georgia has a ban on such marriages (Rafter, 2012).

But in China this sort of relationship is not yet accepted by law, but the society is accepting it. It is a routine activity for criminal justices system to stop gay individuals celebrating their relationships. For example: BBC reports that an event of gay pageant taking place in Chinese land was stopped and later derailed by the policing administration of China (BBC, 2010). Still several laws against such relations were abolished in China back in the 1995 and 2000. Conclusion The society of US and the law has accepted gay culture in US; such relationships are openly expressed in public and even the super stars of Hollywood, openly express to the public if they are involved in such relationships.

On the contrary, China has not yet completely accepted gay culture; it exists in society but in an overt manner as the law has not yet completely accepted it. Works Cited BBC News - Gay pageant 'cancelled by police' in China." BBC News - Home. N.p., 15 Jan. 2010. Web. 5 Dec. 2012. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8461643.stm Bergman, David. The Violet Quill reader: the emergence of gay writing after Stonewall. New York: InsightOut Books, 2001. Print. Herdt, Gilbert H.. Gay and lesbian youth.

New York: Harrington Park Press, 1989. Print. Levy, Emanuel. Cinema of outsiders: the rise of American independent film. New York: New York University Press, 1999. Print. Lilley, Rozanna. Staging Hong Kong: gender and performance in transition. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1998. Print. Rafter, Dan. "Atlanta City Council Passes Marriage Equality Resolution | Human Rights Campaign." Human Rights Campaign. N.p., 4 Dec. 2012. Web. 5 Dec. 2012. . Sang, Tze. The emerging lesbian: female same-sex desire in modern China.

Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003. Print. Weston, Timothy B., and Lionel M. Jensen. China in and beyond the headlines. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield, 2012. Print.