For a first entry I admit this is a bit unusual, but something I'd like to share!
About 3 weeks ago I was in one of my kindergarten classes talking to the home teacher. Let's call her Echo. Echo already seemed unusual to me and "cooler" than the others- she smokes and drinks and doesn't dress like a typical 23 year old Chinese girl (meaning she doesn't look like a 5 year old in frilly teddy bear clothes).
On this particular day Jeff came up and I was talking about him and how long we'd been together, etc. This is always a favorite topic of conversation for girls my age here. Anyway, when I was done talking about my boyfriend, Echo turned to me and as she struggled with her choppy English she managed to muster, "My boyfriend is a girl".
At first I wasn't sure if I heard her right, so I asked her point blank, "Are you a lesbian?". I have to mention here that I have never asked anyone this question in China, nor have I even discussed the topic of homosexuality with Chinese people as it's still taboo. It shocked me to even hear the question coming out of my mouth and made me feel instantly shy.
Echo's response was to simply smile and nod her head and re-direct her focus to the children. Just like that the conversation was over!
To me this conversation was interesting because of its rarity and Echo's willingness to share a very personal and socially unacceptable side of herself with me. It also shows how quickly China is changing with the next generation, especially in a city like Shenzhen which prides itself on its economic openness and is known for its more "civilized" and westernized society.
Welcome to the new China where anything is possible - where a boyfriend can be a girl!
