Tetsu Huang said this was not typical of his patrons, who are mainly Asian and who he defined as "monkeys" (slimmer), muscle monkeys, otters (hairy but not big), pigs (fat), wolves (lean) and cubs (young bears).
Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association (同志諮詢熱線) Director of Public Affairs Clemond Hsu (許欣瑞) said the Red House had historical ties to the gay community and was used as a clandestine meeting place when it was a cinema in the 1970s.
Ninety years ago (according to its Web site, www.redplayhouse.com.tw), Red House was a public market, before transforming into a performing arts center. Currently it is used as a showroom and teashop.
Hsu explained Ximending has traditionally been homosexual-friendly and currently has many saunas, restaurants, cafes and gyms that attract gay people.
"We are very glad that such a place now exists. In the past, the media have portrayed homosexuals in a bad way and made it look like a bad thing," Hsu said.
To date, local media have not reported on the scene, though magazines in Tokyo and Singapore have. ETTV (東森電視) recently introduced the plaza's cafe bars but neglected to mention they catered mainly to a gay crowd.
"An area like this can change people's minds. Anyone can go there and see that it's a normal place with normal people," Hsu said.
"In the past we had to operate like a secret society. It's very meaningful that gays now have a space of their own."
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