On the Shoulders of Giants: Queer/Trans Asian Legacies in the US
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03/23/21 • 45 min
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Our host Janrey and reporter Sahil explore the long history of Asian American queer and trans activism. We begin by talking about some queer and trans activists in US history such as Crystal Jang, Kiyoshi Kuromiya, and Kitty Tsui. Then, we speak with South Asian activist, writer, and podcaster Priya Arora about queer representation in pop culture, while also recognizing histories within our communities. We also speak with activist Pauline Park about creating queer community spaces beginning in the mid-90s and rethinking identity. Finally, Janrey and Sahil reflect on their ancestral lineages, rediscovering queerness in pre-colonial cultures, and reclaiming their identities.
Our guests this week were Priya Arora (@thepriyaarora on Twitter and Instagram) and Pauline Park (@paulinepark on Twitter).
Listen to our previous episode on anti-Asian hate, Ep. 4 What You Need to Know About Anti-Asian Violence.
Mentioned in this episode (and more):
- APIQWTC (Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women & Transgender Community)
- Red Envelope Giving Circle (based in the San Francisco Bay Area)
- Listen to Priya’s podcast Queering Desi on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!
- Desi Rainbow Parents & Allies Inc.
- “‘I Had to Prove That I Exist’: Transgender Anchor Makes History in Bangladesh” (New York Times) by Geneva Abdul
- Satrang (based in Los Angeles)
- SALGA NYC (South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association)
- “The Multiple Migrations of a Transgendered Korean Adoptee” by Pauline Park
- Queens Pride House
- NYAGRA (New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy)
- “In Search of Queer Ancestors” by Sarah Ngu
- Unruly Immigrants by Monisha Das Gupta
Follow Us On Twitter and Instagram
Support Us on Ko-Fi
Our host Janrey and reporter Sahil explore the long history of Asian American queer and trans activism. We begin by talking about some queer and trans activists in US history such as Crystal Jang, Kiyoshi Kuromiya, and Kitty Tsui. Then, we speak with South Asian activist, writer, and podcaster Priya Arora about queer representation in pop culture, while also recognizing histories within our communities. We also speak with activist Pauline Park about creating queer community spaces beginning in the mid-90s and rethinking identity. Finally, Janrey and Sahil reflect on their ancestral lineages, rediscovering queerness in pre-colonial cultures, and reclaiming their identities.
Our guests this week were Priya Arora (@thepriyaarora on Twitter and Instagram) and Pauline Park (@paulinepark on Twitter).
Listen to our previous episode on anti-Asian hate, Ep. 4 What You Need to Know About Anti-Asian Violence.
Mentioned in this episode (and more):
- APIQWTC (Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women & Transgender Community)
- Red Envelope Giving Circle (based in the San Francisco Bay Area)
- Listen to Priya’s podcast Queering Desi on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!
- Desi Rainbow Parents & Allies Inc.
- “‘I Had to Prove That I Exist’: Transgender Anchor Makes History in Bangladesh” (New York Times) by Geneva Abdul
- Satrang (based in Los Angeles)
- SALGA NYC (South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association)
- “The Multiple Migrations of a Transgendered Korean Adoptee” by Pauline Park
- Queens Pride House
- NYAGRA (New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy)
- “In Search of Queer Ancestors” by Sarah Ngu
- Unruly Immigrants by Monisha Das Gupta
Follow Us On Twitter and Instagram
Support Us on Ko-Fi
Previous Episode
What You Need to Know About Anti-Asian Violence
On February 27th, over three hundred people showed up to Foley Square in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood to rally against the rise of anti-Asian hate incidents across the nation. Our hosts Sylvia and Janrey speak with people at the rally on why they attended and what solutions they want to see. Then, we hear from Professor Rosalind Chou of Georgia State University about the origins of anti-Asian racism and its roots in white supremacy. Finally, Jason Wu, a legal services attorney based in New York City, speaks on how to confront anti-Asian violence and take care of our communities through abolition.
Our guests this week were Dr. Rosalind Chou and Jason Wu (@criticalrace on Twitter).
Listen to Ep. 1 Pt. 2 “A Year of Reckoning Part 2: COVID’s Impact on Marginalized Asian Americans” to hear more on the history of Asian migration and the impact of colonization.
Check out With Chinese Characteristics podcast and their most recent episode about the 1871 LA Chinese Massacre and its tie to today's anti-Asian sentiment.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Asian Americans on Campus: Racialized Space and White Power by Kristen Lee and Rosalind S. Chou
- “More Policing Is Not the Solution to Anti-Asian Violence” (Truthout) by Jason Wu
- “How I Became a Police Abolitionist” (The Atlantic) by Derecka Purnell
- NYC-based organizations supporting Asian Americans:
Follow Us On Twitter and Instagram
Support Us on Ko-Fi
Next Episode
Indian Farmers’ Protest: The Largest Protest In The World That’s Still Unfolding
The Indian farmers’ protests began late last summer and are still ongoing, even as coronavirus has worsened over the past month. Sylvia, Janrey and our reporter Sahil begin by explaining the legislation that has put about 50% of India’s population, small farmers, at risk while benefiting corporate interests. We explore some of India’s agricultural history—from British colonial rule to the Green Revolution—and the present day economic impacts. Finally, we discuss how the protests are connected to democracy, revolution and international solidarity.
Our guest this week was Chairman Gurinder Singh Khalsa of SikhsPAC.
Mentioned in this episode (and more):
- List of organizations and grassroots efforts fighting COVID in India
- Jakara Movement Letter in Support of BLM
- SikhsPAC on Facebook
Support Us on Ko-Fi
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