My comrades in Beijing celebrated PRIDE last Saturday with pomp, colors, glitters, pageantry, sequins, drag performances and lots of fun—–in the most fabulous way of all.

Though without a Parade, it’s a good start. It was not a public celebration, of course. China will get there on the streets someday. Someday….. I just don’t know how long would that be.

Judging from the photos sent to me by an Italian comrade, the celebration was more fun than last year. And I guess, every year would always top than the last. I just hope no one would alert the police.

May you have more PRIDE celebrations, Comrades!

作家：Alain  http://alainsojourner.typepad.com  

Courtesy of Alain   http://alainsojourner.typepad.com

Kid you not. This is one place where the atmosphere is VERY revolutionary and where nationalism is instilled above yourself.

This is one place where comrades serve their customers with agility and with utmost efficiency (though twice, they ignored my request for additional chopsticks and an extra chair in our table).

This place is uniquely called, The Cultural Revolution Restaurant.

The name itself is intriguing and sounds like there’s something to offer. So, 12 of us braved the Saturday afternoon traffic in this city and went to check out this place.

I was actually not excited for the food but rather excited for the performances.

When we arrived there, we were greeted by a lady garbed in a plain ugly green army uniform with a red band on his left arm. She wore a green hat with a star in front of it. She guided us to our table and whoaaaaa….. the place was huge. It was like there’s a mass banquet going on there. It was festive.

The walls were painted with propaganda photos and slogans of the Cultural Revolution. Chairma Mao’s massive portrait used as a backdrop on stage dominated the whole space of the performance area. It looked like The Chairman itself was looking down at his comrades who were celebrating the victory of war!

The waiters and the waitresses were dressed in Red Army’s uniform—and so are the performers. They were young and did their job like a pro—in terms of how a soldier walks, talks and salutes. They move in unison when they perform in group. And yes, the ubiquitous red book (with the Chairman’s words of wisdom) can’t be missed.

Performances vary from singing to dancing and to interpretative storytelling.

There was this dramatization of the Chinese and Japanese war–which, of course, the Chinese won it.

Dances were depictions of how the peasants worked in the countryside in the name of the Party. They toiled lands and fought hard and worshipped Mao like no other.

Songs were very revolutionary and nationalistic. There was one time when all the Chinese customers stood up from their chair, waved the red banner and sang the song of courage with pride and enthusiasm.

I was blown away by this part. We were the only ones who didn’t stand, of course. It was an amazing display of Chinese pride.

Most of the customers seated were oldies (but not the senior citizen types). They might be in their 40’s and 50’s. For sure, those songs rang a bell. Or maybe, it struck a chord in their hearts.

The food is forgettable. My students warned me not to go because the food is not good. And it’s true. I didn’t eat that much really. I just a few pieces of meat and small serving of noodle. And the soup was a disaster. I only speak for myself, not for everybody.

Customers have to spend RMB700 above per table.

Just be aware that the restaurant is far. And it’s very hard to get a real taxi when going back to the city. However, there black taxis which will charge you more than you expect.

Is Ricky Martin gay or not?

He is, of course!

Perhaps, LGBT community knew about this loooooong time ago. But, there was no direct confirmation from him….until YESTERDAY.

And I am not surprised. Or thousands of people are. He’s finally OUT and there’s indeed a reason for him and gis fans to celebrate his gayness.

Don’t you know that he’s the FIRST person in my list of famous people I desire to have sex with?

That’s why I can’t resist writing this blog entry. I am just so happy that he finally freed himself from all the secrets and pressures from people around him to keep his true self.

I was too young then to remember him from his MENUDO days but I DO still remember how the teenagers around me before sang, If You’re not Here By My Side, with all their hearts.

And then….. hits after hits made him a worldwide sensation: Livin la Vida Loca, Cup of Life, Shake Your Bon Bon, She Bangs, etc…

His MTVs were hard to ignore and he was so sexy in them that he literally became every gay guy’s wet dreams. I don’t with the girls, but, obviously, every gay guy’s wet dream is every girl’s wet dream, too. Hahahahaha…

And mind you, he was an envy of every man. Those shakin’ bon bons are just so perfectly tight, bubbly and naughty. )

To Ricky Martin, I’d say, “CHEERS! There’s more to life than being gay. From now on…. Just. Be. Yourself.”

You made the right decision.

Here’s the COMPLETE VERSION of Ricky’s MESSAGE. Taken from his WEBSITE.

A few months ago I decided to write my memoirs, a project I knew was going to bring me closer to an amazing turning point in my life. From the moment I wrote the first phrase I was sure the book was the tool that was going to help me free myself from things I was carrying within me for a long time. Things that were too heavy for me to keep inside. Writing this account of my life, I got very close to my truth. And thisis something worth celebrating.

For many years, there has been only one place where I am in touch with my emotions fearlessly and that’s the stage. Being on stage fills my soul in many ways, almost completely. It’s my vice. The music, the lights and the roar of the audience are elements that make me feel capable of anything. This rush of adrenaline is incredibly addictive. I don’t ever want to stop feeling these emotions. But it is serenity that brings me to where I’m at right now. An amazing emotional place of comprehension, reflection and enlightenment. At this moment I’m feeling the same freedom I usually feel only on stage, without a doubt, I need to share.

Many people told me: “Ricky it’s not important”, “it’s not worth it”, “all the years you’ve worked and everything you’ve built will collapse”, “many people in the world are not ready to accept your truth, your reality, your nature”. Because all this advice came from people who I love dearly, I decided to move on with my life not sharing with the world my entire truth. Allowing myself to be seduced by fear and insecurity became a self-fulfilling prophecy of sabotage. Today I take full responsibility for my decisions and my actions.

If someone asked me today, “Ricky, what are you afraid of?” I would answer “the blood that runs through the streets of countries at war…child slavery, terrorism…the cynicism of some people in positions of power, the misinterpretation of faith.” But fear of my truth? Not at all! On the contrary, It fills me with strength and courage. This is just what I need especially now that I am the father of two beautiful boys that are so full of light and who with their outlook teach me new things every day. To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids where born with. Enough is enough. This has to change. This was not supposed to happen 5 or 10 years ago, it is supposed to happen now. Today is my day, this is my time, and this is my moment.

These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from within and that this kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn’t even know existed.

What will happen from now on? It doesn’t matter. I can only focus on what’s happening to me in this moment. The word “happiness” takes on a new meaning for me as of today. It has been a very intense process. Every word that I write in this letter is born out of love, acceptance, detachment and real contentment. Writing this is a solid step towards my inner peace and vital part of my evolution.

I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.

Last Friday was my 4th year in a row and that might be my last White hurrah in Beijing. I hope that Canada will have its own White Party—grander, better and whiter. )

As usual, it was so much fun that almost everyone in our group left the venue at 4:00 a.m. Had it not been of my nasty stomachache, I could have stayed longer until the DJ would surrender playing.

Before we invaded Star Live, twenty-two of us had late dinner at the dimsum place right next to where the party took place. I brought the vodka and two brought cans of red bull. The drinking spree began there. We left the resto right after midnight. Sixteen of us went to the partay. The others to the good ol’ bars in Sanlitun.

I wasn’t drunk. Very tipsy, yes—which means I remember 70% of what transpired during the debauchery. Boy, I met new faces and babes but only few do I remember. It was even nice to see people I’ve never ever met for a looooong time. Rest assured though that I remember all the names of the guys introduced to me, except two. But, never mind, those guys are all straight. Hehehehe…

Anyway. I didn’t see much action around—like french kissing and bumping butt to butt. The party animals danced wild, drunk and crazy. Though the music wasn’t as good as last year, I profusely sweat and so was everyone. Aside from camwhoring here and there, the athmosphere was filled with so much happiness of wasted revellers.

There was not much to oggle—speaking of costume. Everybody wore white, yes, but only very few really dressed up as someone / something. Marilyn Monroe, naughtily danced around ’till she can no longer bear the pain of wearing high-heeled shoes. JFK wasn’t around to save her night.

If there was an award for the most creative costume, it should be given to the two angels who brought with them an arrow and a bow and a harp. Boy, they painted their whole body in white and their wings were huge that they have to stand farther from each other. Good lord, those wings were heavy and was craftily made with care.

Unfortunately, this year, I didn’t see anyone in our group made out and went home together. Last year was the horniest— I knew 6 pairs who got laid on such a wonderful night.

But, I knew and saw a lot of people exchanging digits. And that for sure, is to be continued.

I designed and photographed this photo which I intend to post for EARTH HOUR—-TODAY!

Instead of doing it alone, I forwarded this pic to all my friends scattered around the world to make it as their FACEBOOK PROFILE PHOTO for ONE DAY ONLY.

By doing so, I know, I’ve done my share of saving the world—which is a gargantuan task. I do not wish to be a hero. I am just striving to be socially responsible. )

Let’s HELP our dying EARTH in our OWN LITTLE Way.

Forward this pic to your friends, families, enemies, friend’s friends, relatives, classmates, etc…. and let them know the message of EARTH HOUR.

Imagine, how much impact you can create if your friends would post this pic in their profile and do / turn off their lights by just forwarding this message / photo.

You, too, can be a hero.

As for me, I’ll be going out of my flat to have dinner with friends. But, I’ll make sure that everything is TURNED OFF, not just the lights.

Have fun in the darkness, mates!

Believe me, it’s FUN! Super fun, really.

Wink.

HE was bethrothed by his parents to a girl he doesn’t love and doesn’t even know her from head to toe.

Here’s what my friend said:

You know what i did today?

I saw that in his eyes through out dinner — but also the engagement ring on his finger…

Honestly, I just love how she ended her email. The last eight words simply made me sigh.

That’s why I asked her permission if I could publish it in my blog anonymously.

If you were her what would you do?

Obviously, the guy is a coward to fight what his heart tells. He loves my girl friend but that same love is NOT enough for him to be a man.

But, then, hell, yeah. How can you measure a man?

The number of snowfall was record-breaking I’d say since I arrived in this city in 2005. I hope this is going to be the last snowfall this season. It’s sooooo difficult to get a cab when it snows. I hate to be late at work due to such.

News flash: the snowfall wasn’t manipulated by the government.

Let’s play pictionary.

Last Thursday at The Lantern, some people wrapped themselves up in a trashy fashion to the delight of all.

Here are some of those who came fabulously trashy.

Truly a trashion headturner slash winner.

Above: He designed a t-shirt out of his resume. Brilliant!
Below: Two camwhores in a messy trash costume but in a fabulous pose. Ok, I didn’t go in a costume. I just borrowed it from Jenna. )

Every inch a woman.

SPONSORED BY:

Greening the Beige 点废成绿
“One Person’s Trash Is Another Person’s Art Project”
www.greeningthebeige.org

Therefore, your life is very, very, very boring. No glam. You definitely need SOS from the rest of us.

Electric Shadows, who gave us the unforgettable SOUND OF MUSIC Sing-A-Long Night last November, brought back their famous Sing-A-Long Night via the musical movie, what else, but, MAMA MIA!

And boy, the DANCING QUEENs rocked The Boat Bar last Friday while dancing and singing along to that familiar music of ABBA.

They sang MONEY, MONEY, MONEY like a pro slut who’s ready to roll and say, LAY ALL YOUR LOVE ON ME and TAKE A CHANCE ON ME.

They drank and raised their glasses like they were just SLIPPING THROUGH THEIR FINGERS.

They went around to make sure everyone’s upbeat and in the mood to swing their butts or sing to their heart’s content.

When everyone was already inebriated, they sang GIMME, GIMME, GIMME A MAN AFTER MIDNIGHT even better—enough to land a record deal. )

Sing, dance and drink as if there’s no tomorrow—was THE NAME OF THE GAME for the whole night of musical debauchery.

As I snaked around the place to document the awesomeness of the event and people, I thought of asking each one of them, DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW that you’re here?

When Meryll Streep and Pierce Brosnan sang their sad duet, THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL, everyone belted out the words and lyrics like it’s the most magical moment of the evening.

Then, at the end of that powerful song, someone asked me, VOULEZ-VOUS (Do you want) a drink? I gracefully refused. Doctor’s advise.

The beauty of intoxicating yourself with alcohol is that you TAKE A CHANCE on your musical prowess–no matter how out-of-tune your voice is.

And then ….. the wedding scene came ….. lots of confetti and silver dusts flew into the air that made the place like a wonderland and perhaps, to exaggerate, made someone said, I HAVE A DREAM like this.

WHEN ALL’s SAID AND DONE, everyone got up to their feet and ruled the dance floor. Badly.

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC.

It’s something that unites everyone. Sober or not.

As soon as I see one, I have this impulse of grabbing my camera or save it in my computer if I see one online.

This week, I saw one in my facebook homepage because a friend and a work colleague was tagged on it. I was fuming with anger when I read these words:

WTF is your problem, Ken? What have we done to surge the level of your hatred, ignorance and intolerance?

KEN CHAN is a DJ. He is a member of the well-loved SYNDICATE group of DJs who play Drum and Bass. I don’t personally know him but we have common friends. And I did go to parties where the SYNDICATE DJs play—in my 5 years in this city. I know one DJ in this group because he’s a colleague at work–though we work in two different branches of the same company. And I can vouch that he’s NOT a homophobic DJ.

It took me 30 minutes before I finally weaved the words to post in a yahoo group where I belong, BGLAD, which stands for Beijing Gays, Lesbian and Allies Discussion. I am in fact one of the very, very few members who started this group some years ago.

Apparently, NOT everyone was happy with Ken’s words. His fellow DJ commented on the said picture by saying, “Bit harsh Ken. “Hi Ladies” I’m fine with. Can’t agree with the rest though.”

Joke or not, those words were not supposed to be said. They fired up someone–whether he / she is a hetero or gay. Did he say that to make it like it’s a cool thing to do or to show that he’s the macho who should be worshiped on the dance floor? Whatever.

Newsflash Ken: It’s not cool. It’s purely a homophobic remark.

While writing the email for the group, I tried VERY HARD not to call him names—though I really, really want to.

I am a tolerant and an open-minded person. I can tolerate your vices but NOT homophobia, racism and hatred. Though I have issues on my own but I try not to spread hatred. It’s a tough job.

But, yes, I do bitch. Especially when I paid something and I didn’t get what I was promised.

And I could be silly, too. )

Anyway, the email spread like California’s wildfire. Members in the group forwarded the message to everyone they know. And then, the inevitable happened: various comments were posted and it was uncontrollable.

Those were proof that no one likes homophobia and hatred. In times like this, the community is but ONE.

The email reached to two of the SYNDICATE DJs: one asked for an apology and one made clarifications.

===========================

From Dj Jon

Hi Alain – I saw that post and I’d like to make the following comments:

1) I’d like to distance myself, all other members of the crew and the Syndicate name in general from Ken’s comment. Anyone that knows me, Alex Blackie, Dan, or Yadong will vouch for the fact that we do not share those views.

2) I cannot vouch for Ken and whatever he decides to post on facebook is his choice entirely. I’m sure he’s grown up enough to field any direct feedback you have for him

3) I’ve let him know that he’s caused a serious amount of offence and what he decides to do about it is up to him.

Then, there’s another email from DJ Blackie:

I have received your email about the homophobic comment on Facebook. I just want to take this opportunity to apologise for any of the offense caused. It was a pretty stupid thing to write and we’re in the process of speaking to Ken about it now. From the sounds of it, it was a completely misguided attempt at an ironic joke. It is, however, totally inexcusable and for that reason i’d like to apologise on behalf of the Syndicate.

I’d take issue with C———– comment that we aren’t a loving group of people. We are! And for the record, The Syndicate is completely gay-friendly!! I’m slightly dissappointed it has reached this stage as nearly every person that C———– cc’ed on the email would attest to that fact.

Anyway, sorry again mate, big love for being the small voice in a big crowd.

=================================

Honestly, that was sweet of them to care and write. And I was ok with that. I could be a drama queen but I’m not a complicated person to ask for an apology.

However, I am NOT OK that KEN wasn’t the one apologizing to what he said. He should be responsible of his own venom he unleashed and BE A MAN!

Ken didn’t chose the right time to spread his hatred and homophobia. He posted them days before when THE SYNDICATE will celebrate its 6th Year Anniversary in White Rabbit tomorrow, Saturday, March 13.

I love White Rabbit. It’s a school to me—even before they were still at Haoyun Jie. Not just the music but also because they don’t give a damn thing on my sexuality. That’s why when they were closed for months, it felt like I was a school drop-out with nowhere to go after 2:00 a.m.

But, how would you feel dancing in a gay-friendly bar with a homophobic DJ?

Then the apology…

Ken’s email of apology was released to the “press.” You know… to the people. )

And oh, my sweet old Cher and Elton John, he issued not one but TWO emails.

TWO VERY DIFFERENT APOLOGIES.

Here’s the first one:

“Hello everybody,

I am writing to apologies about my messy writing on my facebook photo caption. I already known that has deep impact on the social activties, communities and usual people living feelings. The way I put this is all about my personal idea and experienced on myself, totally not about other members of our music crew the Syndicate Beijing. I feel sorry to the people who feel not comfortable after they read on my mistake, and the bother on the usual living ways on people.

The caption is already deleted. Sorry once again.

Ken

And the second one:

Hi all,

I would like to publicly apologize for the comments I made on my facebook photo caption in last week. My comments were disrespectful and inappropriate, and there is nothing that I can say to reverse the damage that have been made by my error in judgment.

The comments I made were my own, and are in no way representative of the views and opinions of the Syndicate or any other group that I am a member of.

My comments, which were a misguided, poor attempt at humor, seemed to reflect hate or agression against fellow human beings, and this is inexcusable. I am deeply sorry to those who were offended.

Ken

==================================

And of course, an apology always receives different reactions but they boil down to one conclusion: It doesn’t seem sincere.

WORDS FROM THE SYNDICATE:

Dear all,

Kay C has recently made a number of public apologies for his unacceptable comments. If you have not seen it or you know of another group, forum or community where you think an apology would be appropriate, please let us know and we will make sure it is taken care of.

Despite his apology, The Syndicate and White Rabbit feel it best that Kay C doesn’t play at the forthcoming Syndicate anniversary this Saturday. He has been pulled from the line-up and replaced with a new-comer DJ Skywalker, who we can assure you is a peaceful, loving, accepting kinda dude!

We really hope that this can draw a line under the whole incident, please forward this to whoever you feel would like to read it.

Cheers,

Alex Blackie
Jon Smith
Dan Stephenson
Liu Yadong

POSTSCRIPT
Ken, I am a forgiving person and I don’t spread my own hatred. I worry about and afraid of wrinkles.

Do I forgive you? Should I? I’d say, PARTLY FORGIVEN. As of this writing.

THE BLOG TITLE
Ken, I opted to put a question mark on the title. Are you really?