Asian bisexual performs at U.

In her "deep-hearted-wild-minded-no-apology-no-girly-girl" voice, Denise Uyehara performed for an audience of more than 60 Penn students Tuesday night. Uyehara, an Asian American bisexual woman, was invited to the University to promote awareness of gay, lesbian and bisexual minorities, according to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Alliance representative Steve Chiong, a Wharton junior. Uyehara performed three monologues addressing the issues of bisexual love, domestic violence and communication barriers between Asian men and women. Her presentation represented a combined effort by the Asian Student Union, Kappa Delta Phi -- the Asian American interest Sorority -- and the LGBA. "There are very few individuals of gay/bisexual orientations who are minorities and women," Chiong said. "We were very fortunate to find her since she is bisexual and out." College senior and Asian Student Union President Tina Chinakarn said she agreed. "I want Penn students to open their eyes to other kinds of people and lifestyles and find out more about themselves through this demonstration," she said. Other co-sponsors for the event included the Lambda Grads Group; the Women's Center; the Women's Studies Department; the Theater Arts Department; the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Center and Connaissance. "I'm excited to be here with so many co-sponsors because it brings people together," said Uyehara addressing the audience. "I hope that in the future you will continue co-sponsorships and working together. "I'm interested in explaining what it means to be a woman, an Asian American, a bisexual queer and a human being, not necessarily in that order," Uyehara explained. "My work is often inspired from my life experiences." Following the performance, many students expressed concerns about the lack of visibility of gay, lesbian and bisexual Asians on campus. "Asian American homosexuality are two words that are oxymoronic to the Penn community," said Wharton sophomore Eric Lee. "It's unfortunate that Asian Americans don't talk about it." College senior and LGBA Co-Chairperson Anthony Putz said he was upset that many Asians are "very deeply in the closest." He added that some were afraid to attend Tuesday night's event for fear of being identified as gay or bisexual. "If only they could have seen how supportive the audience was," he explained. "They would have found it comforting to see Asian people in the audience who weren't queer and interested and supportive of her message." Chiong also said he was thrilled by the performance and the audience's response. "I loved it. There were more straight people than gay [in attendance]," he explained. "The amount of support that we received tonight is a good indication of future relations between the Asian and Gay communities at Penn." Uyehara will be preforming her full show entitled "Hello (Sex) Kitty, Mad Asian Bitch on Wheels" at the Painted Bride Arts Center in Center City at 8 p.m. on November 17 and 18. "I perform a skit called 'The Joy Fucked-up Club' and play an Asian guy -- my first attempt as an Asian drag king," said Uyehara. "But you'll have to come to the show to see that."