BRADLEY | The Queer Talks

This interview was made in 2019. Full version available only on The Queer Talks book. To be updated about its release click here

What's our name and where are you from?

My name's Bradley, my Chinese name is Yankuo, I'm 26 and I'm currentl living in Rome. But I was born and raised in China.

How and when did you realize you're gay?

When I was a teenager, the other boys would talk about girls and watched porn, I found out that I liked men more than women, so I realised I was different from them. I LIKED BOYS. So when I was 17, I got my first boyfriend, YunFei. And I still miss him.

What was your most painful discriminatory experience so far?

Actually, I don’t remember it clearly. I think I've never felt pain because I am gay. I mean , I experienced some embarrassing situations because of me being gay, but I’m a strong person, I usually make them know I am gay and make it clear they can’t judge me! Nevertheless, when I was in middle school I really hated the boys calling me SISSY, and I didn’t know what to reply to that. So sad.

"Quattro anni fa, ho fatto coming out.. La mia famiglia spera ancora che io possa cambiare"

What do you like about yourself and what would you change?

First of all, I am an independent person. At the same time, I am very confident. These two points are very important for my works. Secondly, I am a kind person. I never hurt others and I can always find the good in people and try to get along so that they feel comfortable around me. I like laughing, I always laugh, which helps me making friends easily. If I had to choose what to change about me, I wish I could be more decisive, I am a little bit insecure.

How is it living in China and being gay? And In Italy?

I don't feel that much difference, but I personally prefer boys from Europe and America. In China's big cities, being gay is not a problem at all. The government keeps an attitude of "Don't support, don't ban". In the past few years, though, the cultural leaders have been going through a more and more conservative attitude, which I just don't agree with. Gay people, by the way, are more exposed to family's pressure. Especially in China, the ones who practice Confucianism are influenced by the ancestral culture. It is not easy coming out to family and society.

"The ones who practice Confucianism are influenced by the ancestral culture. It is not easy coming out to family and society."

Does your family knows you’re gay? And what do they think about it?

4 years ago I came out to my mother and my sister. It was a tough time because they did not want to accept it. Our relationship has only eased after half a year. We have a really close relationship, but my mother still wish I could give her a grandson and a daughter-in-law. This is a problem. I mean, my family still hopes they can change me.

Interview and Photos by Clotilde Petrosino

Proofreading by Verdiana Nobile