Asian gays have to negotiate their freedom, lifestyle and identities in an atmosphere of heterosexism, and not the endemic violent homophobia prevalent in many western countries. On the contrary, 'Asian values' put the emphasis on family and social harmony, often in contradiction to what is pictured as 'lesbian and gay rights.' Homophobia follows very subtle ways in Asian countries. 'Coming out' is often perceived as a 'white model' bringing more problems than real freedom. Based on 'Western patterns,' the approach is practical, the arguments based on minority rights. In Asia, the lesbian and gay rights movements are clearly dominated by activists, who tend to think in terms of a binary opposition (homo- vs hetero-) and clear-cut categories.
