Lunar New Year Spotlights Bay Area’s Proud and Powerful LGBT Asian Community

The Chinese logogram for the word “pride” consists of two images: the first signifying “oneself” and the second meaning revered, valuable, precious, noble, exalted and honorable. When such feelings of self-respect match with those of others, the effect can be exhilarating, like the boldly designed colorful floats and literally crackling energy of the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, which takes place this Saturday, March 7, starting at 5:15pm.

San Francisco sure knows how to do a parade, and this one is obviously no exception. We appreciate that our community is now well represented, and we have always cheered on the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, GAPA float (see the cover of this issue) and other gay-focused contingents. The confluence of Asian and LGBT culture reminds us how strong and impressively large in number the Asian LGBT community here is in the Bay Area. There is none other like it in the entire country.

In this issue of the San Francisco Bay Times we highlight just a few of the many individuals, businesses and organizations that make up the rich fabric of local Asian LGBT life. From gorgeous strutting drag queens to a talented artist who weaves her experiences into paintings and poetry, the diversity and pride are unmistakable and life affirming. We love them all! (And thinking again of the parade, we’re also big fans of 268-foot-long “Gum Lung”—the Golden Dragon. It takes over 100 people to carry this spectacular dragon throughout the streets of the city.)

Gung Hey Fat Choy, and see you at the parade!

For more information about this year’s Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco, please visit: http://www.chineseparade.com/