How would you say your life is as an older Chinese gay man?Īs an older Chinese gay male, I personally find life is wonderful because I am true to myself. Furthermore, Asian-born and even some American-born Asians, feel they have to conform to the straight stereotype because Asian culture imposes a strong group consciousness it’s difficult to act different from the “norm.” The closeted gay Asians, of course, may tend to avoid calling attention to themselves and thus be reluctant to access services that provide assistance to seniors. On the other hand, many older gay Asians have not come out of the closet because we were raised in an era where being gay was not accepted. My partner and I are financially secure, have two homes (one in the East Bay and another in San Francisco), relate well with each other, have an extensive support network and have good health. Personally speaking, I do not have many issues faced by many in the elder gay Chinese/Asian community. Read his experience as a gay Chinese man and his views on the broader older LGBT AAPI community.Īs an older Chinese gay man, what do you think are some common issues you (and your community) face? Retired since 2002, Dion was a middle school teacher for over 34 years in San Francisco and was married in Canada in 2006 to his partner, Benjamin Aquino, Jr. Dion Wong is a 69-year-old Chinese gay man.
