‘Queer Asia’ features the proud, vibrant LGBTQ communities of Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines & Vietnam.
The News Lens
Date: 2018/11/06
By: Jay Lin
Credit: Queer Asia
Editor’s note: Jay Lin, a longtime LGBTQ advocate and producer of “Queer Taiwan,” shares his journey to launching Asia’s first international LGBTQ docuseries, “Queer Asia.” All episodes of “Queer Asia” are available for free in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong/Macau, and Taiwan on GagaOOlala.
The genesis of Queer Asia started with an online GagaTai & LalaTai video campaign called “Out People,” where we interviewed several out and proud, unique individuals (15 and counting). We asked them to share their life stories, professional background, and perspectives on being openly gay in Taiwan. With each video release, we garnered increasingly more positive feedback.
After finishing the first initial round of the campaign, I yearned to continue to share personal stories and lives of the LGBTQ community. I realized that these authentic voices provide the best conduit to, first and foremost, make mainstream society acknowledge that LGBTQ people are everywhere and in all walks of life and secondly, to encourage those in the closet to find the comfort and courage to come out.
Starting in 2016, I have been involved with the Taiwan Marriage Equality Coalition, campaigning for the passage of the Gay Marriage Bill. It was also during this period that I became a dad to twin boys through surrogacy. [FULL STORY]
