This year, the Hotlanta River Expo, a huge annual
festival for gay men whose proceeds benefit Aid Atlanta,
has decided upon the theme
"Year of the Dragon"
referring to the Chinese animal zodiac.
The subthemes include:
Miss Hotlanta 2000: "China Doll" Mr. Hotlanta 2000: "Shogun" The River Event 2000: "Tsunami" a "Dragon Dance" as Saturday's main event Sunday Tea: "Happy Family" a "Fried Rice" party to close the event Not to Mention Ancient Chinese Secret: Boxers or Briefs?
As a Taiwanese-American, these subthemes highly insult
me. They are a disgusting display of ignorance,
which, even if unintentional, still has the same
results of exoticizing aspects of a culture, thus
stripping it of their value or cheapening a culture's image.
Apparently, the HRE decided upon this theme with the
intention of being more culturally diverse and more
inviting to the Asian/Asian-American gay community.
I have one thing to say to that: BS.
My Thoughts on the HRE Theme Additional Webmaster's Note: I feel the need to add that I absolutely support the fight against the AIDS virus, but I also feel that efforts toward the fight can be responsibily planned and still receive the amount of attention and funds they require. It is especially sad and ironic that an event that unwittingly promotes cultural and racial division is sponsored and participated in by people who support positive social change.
For more information on this issue,
FORUM
Thanks to all who contributed their voices to this site! I am so pleased with the supportive responses I've received, and hopefully, with further awareness, this won't happen again with any major events!
An Imaginary Meeting of the HRE Committee By Andy Foskey A satirical look at what the HRE's brainstorm for this year's theme might have been like... In Response to Stan Neal's Letter By Danielle Yamamoto "...[H]ate crimes against Asian Americans are fueled by the perception that Asian Americans are somehow different from the mainstream population, that we have less right to be here, and that all Asian Americans are part of one large, cohesive group. Advertising campaigns which use Asian imagery irresponsibly...only heighten those dangerous perceptions." (White) Gay Pride & White (Gay) Pride: subjectivity, agency, and the phallus By Kohei Ishihara "...[W]hen East Asians are the objects in pornography, they are objects to be exoticized by the white male subject. In any Pride Guide, you will find that among the perfected white male bodies, positioned as subjects and objects of desire, there will be the black drag queen, positioned as the entertainer; the exotic Asian positioned as a boy in servitude; and the Latino, known for his spicy flavor. It is only through these relations, that the white man’s subjectivity is constructed." Webmaster's Note: This is an in-depth research-oriented psychoanalysis of racial relations between white males and males of other races and dominance dynamics in the gay community. Well-written and well worth reading. Approx. 8 pages. More Comments on the HRE's Letters By Danielle Yamamoto
"It's amusing how [the HRE board member] fluffs
himself up, pulls on his halo and wings, and
paints anyone who complains about the racism of
Hotlanta's ad campaign as a person who is standing
in the way of HIV funding and AIDS research."
What do you think of this year's Hotlanta River Expo Theme? Submit your thoughts and have them posted.
Here's a handy message board for anyone who would like to post short messages or comments immediately. Otherwise, you can still email me and (hopefully) I'll post them. Have fun!
Miss Hotlanta 2000: "China Doll"
