10 Gay Men for Dinner at my apartment in Beijing

Remember a few weeks ago, I wrote about the birthday dinner for Onions friend, my FRENEMY?  If you don't remember, here's the story.  Anyway, this past weekend, Onions invited my FRENEMY and the core of that group of friends over for dinner.  I promised Onions that I would be on my best behavior and NOT get all sullen.  In my opinion, I don't get sullen.....it's just that I really have nothing to add to these conversations but I'm not going to argue the point with Onions.

There he is!  On the left, with his back to me, the Frenemy!!!

So, the two guys at the end of the table are not part of "the crew" but are a couple play volleyball with Onions.  These guys are great, have nice normal conversations with me, just talking. 

Food is served.  Being the bachelor that I am, I didn't have enough plates and bowls to cover serving and dining.  You'll notice some people eating out of plastic Tupperware. Onions had recently made a trip home to Quanzhou to visit his parents.  He brought back some specialties that his Dad makes that I like to eat.  His

My man is a ROCKIN cook!  I need to go to the gym just to make sure I don't put on too much weight eating his cooking.  I've also gotten really good and washing dishes!

On the left, Nick. I get annoyed at talking with him because he always asks me about the United States, but in a comparison way.  I know he means no ill will, but it doesn't come across as inquisitive, but a bit as if he's judging everything I say about the United States. On the right, is Hua.  Hua is the nicest guy in the group and always gentle in speaking with me and talking to me in a level of Chinese that he knows I understand.  Yes, I have a little crush on Hua!

On the left, Onions.  To his right is Frenemy's boyfriend,  Xun, who is quiet and I also like a lot.  Xun is an interesting story.  He has a PHD in science and because of that the Chinese government will NOT let him travel abroad to certain countries, including the United States.  The group is VERY happy that Xun is a partner.  I also realized why Frenemy doesn't talk to me or talks to me in an infantilizing way....it's because he is embarassed that he doesn't speak English and that I do speak Chinese.  That's my current working theory.  The guy next to Frenemy is single.....and totally looking for a boyfriend.

Even though I didn't say very much, I enjoyed the evening and felt more connected than ever.  Perhaps that was because they were on my turf and NOT drinking too heavily.  But mostly I sat there in amazement that here I was in Communist China sitting with a group of gay men, some coupled, some single and all talking about the same things gay guys do everywhere.