8 Queer Asian and Pacific Islander Icons Who Make an Impact on LGBTQ Youth

Students thrive when they see positive reflections of themselves in their curriculum. For Asian LGBTQ students, this means learning about and honoring history, people, and events related to their intersectional identity as both Asian/Pacific Islander and LGBTQ.

Throughout Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, GLSEN’s National Student Council members Sarah Bunn and Marcus Breed used GLSEN's Instagram to share the queer API icons who’ve made an impact on their lives. See their posts below and add your own icon to the conversation with #APIqueericons on Twitter or Instagram. Don't forget to tag GLSEN!

Although May is officially API heritage Month, Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQ identities should be part of an inclusive school curriculum all year round. Visit glsen.org/aapi for more info and resources about supporting Asian LGBTQ students.

 

Margaret Cho is a #bi comedian, actress, and author who centers her activism around #LGBTQ rights and Asian Americans. Cho’s material cover topics such as her past with substance abuse and eating disorders, her bisexuality, and Asian American stereotypes. In 2004, Cho created Love is Love is Love, a website that promoted the legalization of gay marriage in the United States. After same-sex marriage became legal in California in 2008, Cho was deputized by the City of San Francisco to perform marriages. This #AsianPacificHeritage Month, the GLSEN National Student Council is sharing their #APIqueericons! Share you own and see how you can support #LGBTQ #API students at glsen.org/aapi

A post shared by GLSEN (@glsen) on May 4, 2018 at 1:00pm PDT

 

Manvendra Singh Gohil is the first openly #gay Indian prince. He runs a charity for HIV/AIDS prevention called The Lakshya Trust, which provides counseling services, clinics for treating STIs, libraries, and condom-use promotion for MSMs (men who have sex with men). Mavendra is on the Interim Governing Board of the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health. In 2018, Mavendra opened his 15-acre palace to house vulnerable #LGBT people. This #AsianPacificHeritage Month, the GLSEN National Student Council is sharing their #APIqueericons! Share your icon and see how you can support #LGBTQ #API students at glsen.org/aapi

A post shared by GLSEN (@glsen) on May 7, 2018 at 4:45pm PDT

 

Kim Coco Iwamoto has been recoginized as an activist, editorialist, policymaker, advocate, and philanthropist. She was born on the island of Kauai, and identifies as trans and Japanese. She currently holds the title of commissioner of Hawaiian Civil Rights. She was also recognized as a Champion of Change by Barack Obama. This #AsianPacificHeritage Month, the GLSEN National Student Council is sharing their #APIqueericons! Share your icon and see how you can support #LGBTQ #API students at glsen.org/aapi

A post shared by GLSEN (@glsen) on May 11, 2018 at 3:10pm PDT

 

B.D Wong is a well known actor, staring in numerous awarded projects such as M. Butterfly, Shanghai Moon, and Mr. Robot. He is Chinese and identifies as gay. He continues to work with organizations that support #LGBTQ youth and the arts. This #AsianPacificHeritage Month, the GLSEN National Student Council is sharing their #APIqueericons! Share your icon and see how you can support #LGBTQ #API students at glsen.org/aapi

A post shared by GLSEN (@glsen) on May 15, 2018 at 3:30pm PDT

 

Cecilia Chung is a #trans Chinese woman nationally recognized as an advocate for human rights, social justice, health equity, and #LGBTQ equality. Cecilia has been working tirelessly on the local, national and international levels to improve access to treatment for transgender people and people living with HIV, and to erase stigma and discrimination through education, policy, advocacy, and visibility. This #AsianPacificHeritage Month, the GLSEN National Student Council is sharing their #APIqueericons! Share your icon and see how you can support #LGBTQ #API students at glsen.org/aapi

A post shared by GLSEN (@glsen) on May 29, 2018 at 4:00pm PDT

 

Vikram Seth is an Indian novelist and poet. He has written several novels and poetry books including "A Suitable Boy" that have recieved numerous awards. He identifies as #bisexual and has spoken on behalf of the community, including writing a poem called "Through Love's Great Power" in reaction to the criminalization of gay sex. This #AsianPacificHeritage Month, the GLSEN National Student Council is sharing their #APIqueericons! Share your icon and see how you can support #LGBTQ #API students at glsen.org/aapi

A post shared by GLSEN (@glsen) on May 30, 2018 at 10:55am PDT

 

Hayley Kiyoko is a singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and director. She identifies as a multiracial white and Japanese #lesbian. She works towards inspiring confidence in young people that struggle with being #queer and normalizing lesbian relationships in a society that she sees as being very heteronormative. This #AsianPacificHeritage Month, the GLSEN National Student Council is sharing their #APIqueericons! Share your icon and see how you can support #LGBTQ #API students at glsen.org/aapi

A post shared by GLSEN (@glsen) on May 30, 2018 at 3:30pm PDT

 

@chellaman identifies as being a Queer transgender, deaf Chinese, and Jewish artist who works towards advocating for community and self love. He displays his artwork on his instagram page, including documenting his transition. He has also written articles opening up about mental health, body positivity, and his disability. This #AsianPacificHeritage Month, the GLSEN National Student Council is sharing their #APIqueericons! Share your icon and see how you can support #LGBTQ #API students at the link in bio!

A post shared by GLSEN (@glsen) on May 31, 2018 at 7:46am PDT

 
For more icons, resources, and a timeline of AAPI queer historical events, visit glsen.org/aapi!