Coming in from the Cold OR Gay in Shanghai

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

There is room for cautious optimism for LGBT rights in China.

Raymond Can Chi-Chuen is the first openly gay legislator in Hong Kong and Greater China although Hong Kong remains a largely conservative society.

(Photo taken from the Internet]

Runners of the Shanghai Pride Run in June 2016 wore rainbow shoelaces at the start of the race:

https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/04/17/its-still-just-about-ok-to-be-gay-in-china/

Meanwhile, Gay Pride perseveres, and let's we wish everyone involved LOTS of luck, love and peace.

https://www.shpride.com/2018/05/20/priderun/?lang=en

This poem is a villanelle  

COMING IN FROM THE COLD or GAY IN SHANGHAI 

In China, gay couples battle on

to regain equality as of old

across a present-day population 

Though an historical observation

bring us in from the cold,

in China, gay couples battle on 

What motive in non-recognition

of Human Rights, put on hold

across a present-day population?

Unable to marry, no legal adoption,

frozen out Society’s fold;

in China, gay couples battle on 

Far less financial-legal protection

(in a State’s deaf-blind fold)

across a present-day population 

Though we gay folks but human,

must we still suffer rejection?

in China, gay couples battle on

across a present-day population

Copyright R. N. Taber 2018

Letters from an Open Prison OR Gay in Beijing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

It is 2016 and the Chinese New Year of the Monkey. A (closet) reader in Beijing has emailed to ask if I would write a poem for Chinese men and women in China. He says he cannot 'come out' due to family obligations; understandable, but sad.

As always, my poem could relate to anyone, anywhere, unable or unwilling to be openly gay in a predominantly gay-unfriendly society.; it can be like living in an open prison.

Although openly gay for many years, I will never forget tough, closet days as a teenager and young man. Nor should we openly gay men and women ever presume to be be in the least judgemental towards any who feel unable to announce their sexuality to others.  As always, too, the heart will have its reasons.

Beijing - photo from the Internet

LETTERS FROM AN OPEN PRISON or GAY IN BEIJING

Waking to an open prison every day,
hidden bars haunting me,
(no criminal.no psycho, just gay.)

The family is everything, they say,
must always take priority;
waking to an open prison every day

Loved ones, friends, come what may.
my true self, they will not see.
(no criminal or psycho, just gay.)

Ah, but we will never turn truth away,
but let our (gay) love run free,
waking to an open prison every day

Only a fool will keep true love at bay
for the sake of local propriety;
(no criminal or psycho, just gay.)

Loving sons and daughters, we stay,
paying lip service to The Party;
waking to an open prison every day,
(no criminal, no psycho, just gay.)


Copyright R. N. Taber 2016