POSTCARDS from MAZZ Tongzhi Hong Kong – A City of Colour and Movement

A City of contrast - of East and West, Modern and Traditional, affluence and struggle. A city that is truly diverse, a melting pot with a dynamic unique energy.

Travelling around the city there is a seemingly endless flow of accents engaged in broken English conversation. The sheer mass of humanity, at times over whelming, is always friendly and with Cantonese/English signs directing you through this buzzing business metropolis, it is easy to navigate.

The Chinese culture resonates strongly with the influence of traditional values, especially the importance of family, strongly effected the development of the gay and lesbian, or Tongzhi identity in Hong Kong. You will not find an “Oxford Street” or “Castro Street” here with rainbow flags flying high. The Chinese culture does not go for that type of flamboyant behaviour. Things are far subtle.

The traditional roles of men and women not only influence the way people come out but also the interaction between the gay and lesbian aspects of the Tongzhi community. There is not a strong connection between men and women in the community. Some of this is based on societies unblinking acceptance of strong physical contact between all girls and women in public. This ability to show a shared affection in public enables girls to develop relationships in ways that are very difficult for gay boys. The laws here, brought over from old Victorian England, do not reference lesbian sex - “women do not do that sort of thing”. Therefore the requirement for an out Lesbian community in Hong Kong is a concept really only encouraged by non Hong Kong people.

It is traditional for all children to live at home until they marry. No sex before marriage in a belief still strongly enforced within the extended families. Many gays and lesbians live a double life, still in the closet with their families and work colleagues. There is now a growing trend amongst the younger generations, both queer and straight, to fight against this by moving into shared accommodation in cheaper areas.

The Tongzhi community in Hong Kong is steadily growing in size and social awareness. There are the Women’s Coalition monthly meetings, Fruits in Suits (3rd Tuesday each month) and regular dance parties with up to 500 people. There are also political groups like Horizon which have staged public protests, including one inside a church in reaction to the religious opinions against gay law reform.

In the post-SARS Hong Kong, the local tourism industry has begun to see the benefit of encouraging Gay and Lesbian travel to the region. Tongzhi Holidays founder in 2003 by Sammy provides tours of gay and lesbian interest around Hong Kong and in 2005 begins tours to the former Portuguese colony of Macau and the China Mainland. When you are planning to visit, get in touch with Sammy and he will be happy to show you around his home city.

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Burning up at Baby Buddha Bar Lan Kwai Fong is an area renowned for its thriving nightlife. Even at night the humid atmosphere hangs like a heavy blanket over the island giving this outdoor bar the feel of a tropical terrace garden.

Joe from HK Cream Magazine @ Gay Happy Hour
Friday night at Club 97 is a great place to meet friends after work or before dinner and clubbing. Located in the vibrant Lan Kwai Fong area, there are many surrounding clubs within a few minutes walk.
Kee Club, The Apartment and The Keg are all in LKF. Just up the hill is Works featuring industrial dark passages and a mirror maze while almost next-door, Dragon-i slick interior caters for the celebrities and high-fashion clubbers. In the nearby Sheung Wan area Rice Bar has a culturally mixed professional after work crowd while Propaganda is a late night popular venue with the locals. Across Victoria Harbour, on the Kowloon side there is Rainbow and Red Dogs for Bears and ‘Chubby’ lovers. For those who prefer a quieter get-together, there are always traditional English High-Tea afternoons at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel daily.

Mandy + Nissa + Gene @ Yumla Bar
Although located in a basement level, this popular girls bar opens onto one of the many small paths that weave their way around the steady incline of the Lan Kwai Fong area.
Like most venues it is small, intimate and full of friendly faces eager for a lively chat, drink and dance. Many of the Tongzhi girls clubs are hidden in high-rise commercial buildings, with no signs and only accessed through word of mouth. The best way to get in the know is via the website for the Women Coalition of HK. Their women’s only monthly meetings are held on the first Saturday afternoon and are a must for any gals wanting to meet new local friends.

Lovers Rock A traditional fertility sight this large naturally phallic stone is perched upon the side of one of the surrounding mountains of Hong Kong city.
From this Lovers Rock and the tourist favourite The Peak, the panoramic views of this high-rise metropolis are quite breathtaking. Adjacent to the Lovers Rock was placed a statue of Kum Yum (Kuan Yin in Mandarin). Legend has it, from old central China, there was a man who changed into a woman. She is now the Goddess of Harmony and Mercy with great Love and Kindness.

FF on top, with sling & whip & candles &…!
Known to its fans simply as "FF", Fetish Fashion is Hong Kong's only professional Playroom. Equipped with all the gadgets a dungeon master and slave could desire, it's conveniently located adjacent to the Mid-levels Escalator in Central.There is also a wide selection of fashion and accessories to tickle your fancy with the charming Decima available to lend a helpful hand.
Undercover police raided a private party hosted in the playrooms two years ago and interrogated guests. The combination of handcuffs and uniforms however was quite titillating rather than intimidating! Despite many prominent business professionals being present at the party, the owners were arrested and a long legal battle ensued. This attempt to save face in the wake of the ill-fated raid only added to the courts embarrassment with all charges being dismissed and the fight for diversity of personal expression coming out triumphant.

Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival - Festival Directors
Karl Uhrich and Denise Tang with the Pink Passport
On November 25th 2005, the 14th annual Hong Kong Lesbian+Gay Film and Video Festival begins screening 25 local and international films, over 11 days, in 2 locations and includes 5 themed parties. One luck person (and an even luckier friend) who votes for their favourite film will be coming to Sydney for the Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival 2005. The opportunity of enjoying queer culture is difficult for the thousands still living closeted lives. The anominity of being able to view these films by walking in and out of a darkened cinema is part of the attraction that has sustained the events longevity.
Denise was born in Hong Kong and spent fifteen years in North America and California. Having recently returned, she is one of the few “out” lesbians in Hong Kong. Her passion and enthusiasm for the visibility of lesbians will undoubtedly impact the local community.
Karl and his Boyfriend are both from Canada. Their “special’ relationship was acknowledged by the HKSAR government when they migrated to HK recently. While talking with many international queers who have chosen Hong Kong as their home, there are many examples of how they have been accepted privately and officially despite the lack of any real legal recognition. There are even government TV ads providing a helpline phone number for people who feel they are being discriminated against on the grounds of their sexuality.

Ms Door Bitch @ Club97 Like a street party every night the Lan Kwai Fong area is intense. There were two gay bars in this area prior to the 80’s and by 1987 Disco Disco was rated as one of the top 10 clubs in the world.

It is ironic that the club closed the same year that homosexuality was decriminalised, in 1991. Club 97 now inhabits this site and it is here that the first “HK Pride Parade” occurred in October 2004. Jamie from Club 97 and Greg from House of Siren, who helped organise the event, were “thrilled that the Tongzhi community had gathered for a street parade. For many years there has been talk of starting an annual parade, like those in Sydney or San Francisco and although it was small, it did happen here in Hong Kong.” There are now plans for a parade next year, although dates will not be known until sometime in 2005, this could be the start of something Fabulous!!

Fishing Boats + Aberdeen Apartments
The south coast of Hong Kong Island is home to both people of the land and of the sea. Traditional fishing communities travel daily into the South China Sea as the land dwellers tower higher and higher around the shores. The old small sampans, which used to transport produce from the boats to the markets now carry people to and fro around the harbours. A popular sampan journey for tourists is across the water to, or even just around, the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant. The intensity of night-lights reflecting in the water is just beautiful.

Hong Kong From Causeway Bay
City of Light – like rainbow crystals they rise between steep mountains and calm waters, these pillar-like buildings light up, flash and change colour like a city in perpetual party mode. Victoria Harbour, with this fantastic backdrop is the stage for the annual firework displays. Including July 1st for Handover Day, October 1st for National Day and of course Chines New Year.

Heart Thinks Becomes True Set in the grounds of the Hong Kong Lifesavers Club are these large golden mosaics. Each shimmering disc presents positive reflective Chinese philosophy in this garden forecourt adjacent to the sparkling blue waters of Repulse Bay.
The near by Middle Beach is a popular gay meeting place (sorry no nude bathing aloud). The surrounding tree covers hills provide an intimate atmosphere while looking out over clear calm waters to the many small islands that stretch out into the South China Sea.

Lan Kwai Fong Beat
Following the decriminalisation of gay male sex acts in 1991 and the growing popularity of cruising the Internet, the beat scene has been in steady decline. This Lan Kwai Fong beat is one of the most historic and is still a popular meeting place - although my companion informs me that it is not as comfortable as some. Following 1991 many Tongzhi saunas have opened all around Hong Kong. Some cater only for locals and Asians [clean buffed and hairless] while others have a mixed Euro-Asian clientele.

Lotus Flower Gold and red are the most popular Chinese colours and the lotus flower is a familiar sight at ceremonial areas. The lotus flowers are offered at pray sights, like this one along the steep climb to the Lovers Rock on the Bowen Road Pathway.
Hong Kong actually means Fragrant Harbour, not from the lotus flower but from the brilliant pink orchid-like flowers that blossom on a local tree. This flower is now pictured on the post-handover coins, replacing the head of our dear old Queen Elizabeth II.

Tongzhi Holidays – www.tongzhiholidays.com
Chi Heng Foundation – www.chihengfoundation.com
Women’s Coalition of HK – http://dearto/wc
Hong Kong 10% Club – www.hkten.uhome.net
Horizons – www.horizons.org.hk
Sanctuary Private party - www.hxproduction.com
Fruits in Suits – www.geocities/hkfins
HK Lesbian + Gay Film Festival – www.hklgff.com
Fetish Fashion – www.fetishfashion.com.hk
House of Siren – www.siren.com.hk