The Black LGBTQI+ Experience in China – Part 2

In one of the most iconic interviews of its time on The Dick Cavett Show in June 1968, James Baldwin, author, playwright, and racial equality activist gets into a fiercely eloquent debate with American philosopher Paul Weiss. In the debate, Weiss accuses Baldwin of overly focusing on the Black experience in America, somewhat trying to negate his experience as a Black man by running down Baldwin’s other possible identities such as author and plain human. To this accusation, Baldwin responded, “I’ll tell you this. When I left this country in 1948, I left this country for one reason only, one reason. I didn’t care where I went, I might have gone to Hong Kong, I might have gone to Timbuktu. I ended up in Paris, on the streets of Paris, with forty dollars in my pocket on the theory that nothing worse could happen to me there, that hadn’t already happened to me here.”

Baldwin’s poignant response would later be included in the posthumous documentary by Raoul Peck focusing on his contributions to the fight for racial equality called “ I am not your Negro”, and continues to be echoed by Black and African immigrants across the world. For those in the LGBTQI+ community, a change of location be it temporary or permanent, could mean the preservation of one’s life, especially if it means escaping homophobic and oppressive systems. China has become a safe haven for the Black and African queer community, where members get to reinvent themselves, and for some, to finally get a chance at living an open life in relative safety and anonymity.

In our second installation of #CHINOIRE, we get to find out why our five respondents chose China as a destination, and how they feel about life in the country years after making the move.  

How has your sexuality blossomed since moving to China?

Age 24 – Continent: Africa – Nationality: N/A – Race/ Ethnicity – Black

I got to explore my sexuality a little bit deeper since it’s easier to meet other Bi’s or lesbian expats here, which is Something I couldn’t experiment back home or in the places I’ve lived in before.

 

Age 24 – Continent: The Caribbean (Region of North America)/- Nationality: N/A – Race/ Ethnicity – Black

Well, I think I’ve grown more into myself holistically, which obviously includes my sexuality in China mainly because of the diverse set of people that I’ve met within the community. It reinforced that I do not need to fit into what I think is necessarily masculine. 

Age 25 – Continent: Africa – Nationality: N/A – Race/ Ethnicity – Black

My first friend is gay. I met him on Grindr. He is Chinese and I was in the same class with two other people from Africa too but I didn’t really get close to them because I don’t really like pretending. Back home all my close friends know I’m gay so I didn’t want to come here and hide again especially now that I’m far from my parents. When I meet someone and I know the person will not accept (me), I don’t create a bond with him or her. So I can say that there is no big change about that. Except that I have more LGBT friends and hanging out with people only from your community is way better. And I have learnt much more about LGBT.

Age 27 – Continent: North America – Nationality: American – Race/ Ethnicity – Black

China is where I first really loved a girl, but that lasted all of 4 seconds. Now we’re just friends. 

Age 33 – Continent: North America – Nationality: American – Race/ Ethnicity – Mixed race.

I was never repressed sexually back home. My family never looked down on me and I think that’s because I’ve never officially come out. Although I’ve also never felt like I was in a closet. I guess in absolute terms I’m Bi. I like men and women. But really I like people. If I’m comfortable around you and can be myself with you, I don’t particularly care what’s in your pants. At times I’ve even thought of myself as asexual because sex isn’t an important or determining factor for me for deciding who I want to be with. I just have to like you for you.

How has China shaped your view of yourself?

Age 24 – Continent: Africa – Nationality: N/A – Race/ Ethnicity – Black

One thing that China taught me is to not mind people staring at you and it gave me a little more assurance about myself, and my experiences taught me to own my sexuality freer than before – I came out to my friends and acquaintances but not my family yet.

Age 24 – Continent: The Caribbean (Region of North America)/- Nationality: N/A – Race/ Ethnicity – Black

For one, China made me love me and my Blackness even more. For the main fact that I’m from a country where I’m in the majority and the most influential people look like me to moving to a country where I’m in a very small minority, I came to accept myself even more.

Age 25 – Continent: Africa – Nationality: N/A – Race/ Ethnicity – Black

I’m more confident about myself now. I mean, when it comes to my body, because Chinese people like skinny bodies, I’m a little bit more narcissistic than I was hahaha.

Age 27 – Continent: North America – Nationality: American – Race/ Ethnicity – Black

I’ve begun to wonder if I’m better off alone. It’s just really peaceful to not have to worry about saying or doing the wrong thing.

Age 33 – Continent: North America – Nationality: American – Race/ Ethnicity – Mixed race.

I think it made me realize how much of a melting pot America truly is. China is so insular and so homogenous that being here made me realize how different things are between cultures. I can see now that I’m definitely a lot more open about things than people here because they are so restricted.

Read more:

• The Black LGBTQI+ Experience in China
• “I’m Queer And Proud To Be Who I Am”
• What Pride Month Means to Me

Do you feel like you are a part of a community?

Age 24 – Continent: Africa – Nationality: N/A – Race/ Ethnicity – Black

I spent my first year in China in the company of my two cousins and best friends, and would usually hang out with our mutual friends but it’s since last year that I realized that I was part of the expat community here in China, even though we all come from different horizons and for different reasons. Lately, I’ve gotten the chance to be part of a small LGBT community as well, even though it’s pretty hard to find consensus in an all-in-one group as we are all dispersed all over China or because some wouldn’t want to integrate it.

Age 24 – Continent: The Caribbean (Region of North America)/- Nationality: N/A – Race/ Ethnicity – black

I feel like I’m in a community which is sometimes rare for people like me that move to China, but I made it my business to find people similar to me. So, yes I do feel like I’m a part of a community because I built my own.

Age 25 – Continent: Africa – Nationality: N/A – Race/ Ethnicity – Black

Yes! Actually, all of my close friends here are in the LGBT community or friendly to the LGBT community, and we are used to doing many thing together so, yeah definitely!

Age 27 – Continent: North America – Nationality: American – Race/ Ethnicity – Black

Off and on. When I first got here, a BIG YES. Then COVID-19 hit and a lot changed. I still have a plethora of people I can call, so in that way, yes. But what I feel is missing is a best friend in my own city. Someone on the same schedule, who comes to my house, I go to theirs, we travel, etc.

Age 33 – Continent: North America – Nationality: American – Race/ Ethnicity – Mixed race.

Yes I do. I’ve got a wonderful circle of friends that I can talk to about anything and everything.

_{Photos: Courtesy of Unsplash}