Job Discussion Forums

[canadian03]

I was just wondering how open minded the culture is when it comes to differing sexual orientations. Are there many gay night clubs in Taipei? I noticed the one guy on the Hess website walk into one in their videos of current teachers working there (Cafe Fresh, I think) and I found a couple more by searching online. Any input or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[markholmes]

Yes, there are plenty of gay venues, or so I've been lead to believe.

I knew a couple of gay guys in Taipei (not partners), both had been there several years.

Have you tried www.utopia.com

[trukesehammer]

[canadian03]

Thanks so much for your help! I'm looking forward to coming!

[henryhu]

Taiwan is certainly no gay paradise, but it ain't bad though. A couple years ago when I was teaching on the mainland, I, like the previous poster, was surprised to find out that many of my adult and younger students were against discrimination of gay folks. However, when asked what they would do if their own little Wang turned out to be a poof, their reply was "Oh. that can't happen. there are no gay people in China."

I find Taiwan to be just slightly removed from this. It is still horribly conservative here and the people really have no concept of a gay culture. For that reason, I would be careful telling people you are gay, especially at work. On the upside though, taking a break from the gay culture is really nice. Back in the west, it seems we are actualized once we come out of the closet and are kept in stasis by the stereotyping public and by the gay culture itself. Here, without that, you can remind yourself what else you are other than gay.

Sure... there is the beginning of a gay culture here, but the culture at large hasn't really embraced it. As a result, the lighting is horrible in restaurants and no one has told the men to pluck those hairs despite the bad luck it will bring. Another down side is that most gay guys here are at that beginning stage of being gay... like they just decided yesterday to date guys... and unfortunately tight shirts, trimmed pubic hair, and club drugs are enough to make them march in pride down the street once a year.

So, if you want to come and occasionally hook up with someone no problem. There are heaps of bars, saunas, and massage houses to sate you. Plus, a lot of guys here have a westerner fetish. But, if you want to date someone or have a relationship of sorts, don't expect it to mature past high school mentality.

And regarding the comment from the previous poster about discrimination in the States... yeah. i agree. There are a lot of people who hate gay people. They are easy to avoid, however, as most of them are in the Bible Belt or the unemployment line. It is also possible in the USA to achieve a life and status as a gay man that can enable you attain a comfort level which allows you to simply not be bothered by what some yokels down south say. In many areas, gay people are beginning to live dignified lives and take their places in professional society. We have cute little renovated neighborhoods and entire districts of most major cities to ourselves. That hasn't begun to happen here. And probably won't for generations.

But again... if you just wanna have some fun at some clubs and meet some truly sweet and friendly guys, pack your tight t-shirts and rubber bracelets and head over. Here is a helpful Chinese lesson: Top = Yi (1) Bottom = Ling (0)

[canadian03]

Yeah, I totally wasn't expecting it to be as open-minded as Canada can be (or at least in the selective regions I've experienced thus far) but I also have no intention of flaunting it or "coming out" to everyone, especially business-wise.

Being young and female (which I guess I could have stated earlier... lol, but the all your input was still extremely thoughtful and helpful), I just wanted some input of whether or not I'll feel secure. It's always nice to know that you won't be beaten if someone finds out you are actually attracted to girls.

Oh, and the Chinese lesson of top and bottom ----> Props!

Last q, any suggestions on nightlife hangouts?

[henryhu]

you are a girl who likes girls? Disgusting. Absolutely abhorrent.

Joking of course. The real affront is that you are, um... Canadian. You people are corrupting the youth of America with silly thoughts of socialized health care and protecting the environment.

But alas, our bond goes beyond silly nationalistic boundaries and I would be happy to help out a sister. Unfortunately, however, I can't as I am not a lesbertarian. i do know there are a few girl only bars in Taipei and Kaohsiung. A lot of mixed as well if you can tolerate gay boys being gay boys. One I know of in Taipei is called The Source. It is okay... I live in a small town on the east coast, so i don't have a lot of suggestions. I will ask some Tpe friends tho for their suggestions. Send me a private message when you get here and I will tell you what I find out.

Regarding your safety... no issues. When people find out they will probably be just very curious. Being that there isnt much of a gay culture here, there isn't much in the way of an anti-gay sentiment. I guess it is hard to be homophobic if you don't know what to be afraid of. Maybe with our help, they can find out.

Be prepared too to think that everyone is gay when you come. Being again that no one knows what 'gay' behavior really is, there are no hangups about same sex friends holding onto each other. In China, my male students would actually play with each others hair while in class and hold hands when walking to lunch. And this was at a high school. In Taiwan, it isn't as touchy, but girls still hold onto each other walking down the street and guys have no problem putting there arm around a friend or resting their hand on your knee.

I apologize for my inappropriate Chinese lesson. Here is one that may be more helpful: Nide jiche hao xinggan (Your motorcyle is sexy)

Welcome. And do please send a message when you get here.

[canadian03]

Awwwwwwwww

I'm not going to lie; I love gay boys, hehe. I've never actually been to a lesbian bar before anyways. The bar I frequent here is quite overpowered by topless dancing men I won't be coming until probably next summer, so if you're still around, I'm totally interested in the offer.

Thanks again! Oh, and the revised Chinese lesson will be very helpful. I'll be sure to write it out and keep it in my pocket when I'm trying to pick up...

[BigWally]

Hey, I'll chip in my 1/2 a cent worth of observations on a subject I know nearly nothing about.

I have seen a number (of what I assume to be Taiwanese lesbian) couples in the few months that I have been here. Obviously, sometimes appearances can be decieving, and you cant judge a book by its cover (to be terribly cliche). But, other times, for example when you see too girls kissing in public, you have a hard time thinking otherwise. I'm sure you'll have no problem making friends, if you're looking for them.

Cheers/Ganbei!

[foreignertobe]

test

[Serious_Fun]

[Taylor]

And perhaps no one would care if you lie, steal, commit adultery, have abortions, worship idols, use illegal drugs, get drunk or kill yourself either......

Maybe it's not so bad that Christians 'care' about others.

Taylor
Kaohsiung

[canadian03]

Oh, my bad. I�d like to issue a formal apology to you, Taylor�

Let�s try this again: I wish to extend my immense appreciation of your comparison of homosexuality to lying, stealing, committing adultery, having abortions, worshipping idols, using illegal drugs and getting drunk and killing myself.

You�re right Taylor. Thanks for �caring�.

[Serious_Fun]

[foreignertobe]

It is true that the gossip in general seems to be just something to say/do and not something that they actually care about, although they're human, so I'm sure the usual reasoning for gossip is there as well.

As for the Christians, I did mean to call them ridiculous. Buddhism is just about the only religion that makes sense in my opinion, because at its core, it isn't really a religion. It's centered on thought and perception outside of what anyone else tells you. Say that for the other religions.

The comment from the "one-in-every-crowd" Christian not only made nonsensical comparisons, but also FAILED to make certain comparisons. Shellfish, clothing comprised of different fabrics, etc.... These, plus many other things innocuous in today's society, are as "sinful" as all of the other things listed, but since they don't offend our society, they are ignored by modern-day Christians.

So let's see.... the bible was written by god by way of man, but happens to reflect the social idiosyncrasies of the population of the people who did the writing. The followers of the same religion 2000 years later sculpt the religion to appear to countenance their own social structure. And as contact with people around the world has now informed us, societies who grew up in isolation from each other happened to not create the same religions, but rather religions which reflected their own societies, and religions which also claim to be the only truths. Hmmmmmmm.......

Also, has anyone else ever wondered why Christians proselytize in the Third World but not at Mensa meetings?