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Note:
Interview is by Dennis A. Amith & Suzanne Kai. Photos
are courtesy of Margaret Cho
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The year 2000. The
year of the Dragon, the year for new beginnings and for
fans of Margaret Cho, they know that this her year.
For many years, Margaret Cho’s life has been portrayed
in the media as a woman with drug and alcohol problems,
a person who has been suffering from depression since
her show “ALL AMERICAN GIRL” was cancelled and many other
situations that would have knocked many stars down to
oblivion. But
as for Margaret Cho, she is standing strong. |
If anything, she has proven to the non-believers that she is
a survivor. She performed in a sold-out national tour, she has a movie
titled “I’M THE ONE THAT I WANT” which made it to the top 3
out of the 250 films shown at the Seattle International Film
Festival. The only
American film that made it to the top 5.
Her film has received rave reviews including the impressive
“Thumbs Up” from movie critic Roger Ebert.
She also has a book and a new upcoming show.
Aside from entertainment, she has also proven to be a big hero
among the gay community.
She fights for gay rights, raises funds for AIDS research
and more.
In recognition for her involvement in the community,
Margaret received the first ever Golden-Gate award for
entertainment pioneer who has made a significant difference
in promoting equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation
or gender identity.
One of the qualities that people admire about Margaret is her
honesty and how open she is about the details of her life.
For this interview we wanted to know more about Margaret
Cho, the person, not only the entertainer.
Recently, Suzanne Kai
and Dennis A. Amith of AsianConnections.com had the opportunity
to interview the entertainer.
AC
(Dennis): Let’s start with a few basics before we
go on to the serious questions.
Where were you born and raised? Also, did you grow
up with a strict Korean American upbringing?
MARGARET:
I grew up in San Francisco and I guess it was strict but
it was very much a Korean side of strict.
My parents didn’t really teach us to speak Korean and they
talked about us behind our backs even though they were right in
front of us. They
spoke Korean to each other but we had no idea what they were saying.
So, I kind of learned to understand some Korean words but
I really don’t understand that much. They were fairly strict
AC
(Dennis): Let’s talk about the article that you recently
did with “Pride Magazine”.
How did the “Face of Freedom” article in PRIDE come about?
MARGARET:
They just asked me to do it.
I was very honored.
I loved the other people in the magazine and it was a
perfect thing for me.
I’m going to be the Grand Marshal of the Gay Pride Parade
in San Diego.
AC
(Dennis): In the
article you discuss your first job at Stormy Leather (a lesbian
fetish store). What
was it like working there?
MARGARET:
Stormy Leather is a store owned and operated by lesbians.
It’s a leather S&M store for alternative sexuality.
Growing up in San Francisco, I really had a pretty good
handle on alternative sexuality but it really opened me up to
different experiences and people.
I think it’s really great.
I think that sexual freedom is so interesting and so
political and that we are allowed to do what we want.
It’s really amazing.
There are a lot of things you can do.
I learned so many crazy things that people do and I don’t
necessarily agree with everything but I think it was a great
way to grow up. Some
people, when they are teenagers have a paper route. I made leather
dildos. It was a wonderful gateway to that world.
AC
(DENNIS):
How did you explain to your parents that your first real
job was making leather dildos?
MARGARET:
I didn’t tell them.
They didn’t know. They still don’t know.
They don’t know what it is.
When I talk about things in my life that are like that
and there are many things like that, that’s when they really
use their selective understanding of English.
AC
(SUZANNE):
If you are to become a mother, what would tell
your children? Would
you allow them to go out and experience this?
MARGARET:
I think I would be very honest about my life and what
I do. I know about
it and I experienced things in that community and I think that
children are naturally able to handle it.
You tell them in a very loving way.
AC
(DENNIS): Hmm...Did
you ever get hit on by a lot of the customers?
MARGARET:
You know it’s funny.
I did not really get hit on.
People in Stormy Leather were mostly in committed relationships.
Most people who are involved in alternative sexuality
are really committed.
It’s really fascinating!
AC
(DENNIS): You
take a stand on several issues such as gay rights.
Do you see yourself getting involved in politics in the
future?
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