Queerness in the Asian Community

By: Holly Ji

For queer Asians, their families often uphold conservative ideals of fitting in. Topics of mental health and sexuality are frequently deemed taboo and shameful in order to uphold the model minority myth. This deeply ingrained generational sentiment makes the queer Asian experience different from the predominantly white stories that are centered in the gay community. Even outside of their own families, being Asian and being queer feel as though they are completely separate things. In the eyes of white supremacy, being Asian is characterized as being smart, refined, almost robotic, and detached from emotions. Being queer is characterized as the ultimate form of expression and deviancy. Not to mention how deep the damage of fetishization of Asians and fetishization of queer relationships and identities are, whether it be together or apart. Discussions around queer issues and pride must include intersectionality and decenter whiteness. Queer spaces have never made room for POC. Even though Black trans women are the leaders of queer progress, white gay men are centered. To be gay and a POC means you have to prove to your “queer siblings” that your identity is just as valid and just as queer. This invalidity is a product of white supremacy. Queer Asians and other POC should be proud, for queerness is not taboo, nor shameful, it is part of you and that is beautiful.