As I was growing up, my interests have always aligned with the interests of my family’s. Was it because I was socialized that way, or was it because I truly loved what I was doing? I’ve never really found an answer to that question, so I didn’t really think about it much. I guess the only time my opinions differed from my family was when I came out of the closet as gay. I had deep-rooted anxiety that I wouldn’t be accepted by them and didn’t really know how they would react. These subjects were never really talked about within my family as if it was something that shouldn’t be discussed. As for LGBTQ+ resources, the only ones that I would see as questioning anxious teenagers seemed to target white youth, and I didn’t see myself in their mission. I, therefore, didn’t know where to turn myself to, tried to develop my identity with my own experiences and met different types of obstacles. I honestly can’t count the number of times I’ve heard the comments that I was attractive for an Asian and that they wouldn’t usually be interested in me. Sexual racism has been so normalized in the gay community that many people don’t seem to see a problem in it. However, these comments can have long-lasting effects on an influenceable teenager who doesn’t know better.
As I look back at my past experiences, I feel that I would have greatly benefited from LGBTQ+ resources with an intersectional approach in their mission. That way, I wouldn’t have to think that I had to choose between the “Asian” part of me or the “gay” part of me when I reach out.
Collaboration:
JE SUIS MTL x JÉ T'AIMEParticipant:
JimmyDate:
June 26, 2021