Queer Cafe

NBC News: Asian American LGBTQ Support Groups

Miss Universe Pageant Sold to Thai Trans Businesswoman

Religion - There are traditional connections among family, culture, and religion within the community. The interconnectedness of culture and religion means that any homophobia related to faith can have a devastating effect. Experiences with religion vary greatly depending on the religion practiced by a particular family, individual, or region. Some religions such as Hinduism are fairly accepting, while other like Catholicism and Islam can be less accepting.

Society - Coming out experiences are often intensified by a lack of visibility, racism, and language barriers. There is still a lack of visibility of APAs within LGBTQ groups, publications, and media sources. There is a lack of positive images of LGBTQ APAs in popular entertainment and media. APAs can face racism within the LGBTQ community, sometimes as overt discrimination and other times as the lack representation.

[Source: Coming Out for Asian Pacific Americans, printed by the Human Rights Campaign]

South Korean Capital Celebrates 1st Pride Parade in 3 Years
Majority of Young Hongkongers Support LGBTQ Equality, but Discrimination Still Common
China Opens First Clinic for Transgender Youth

Erica Sullivan: Witty, Charming, Asian, and Gay

Kumi Yokoyuma: Japanese Soccer Player Comes Out as Trans

Japan’s Opposition Party Submits Bill to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
South Korean Court Recognizes Same-Sex Couple Rights for First Time
Japan's Lack Of Protections For LGBTQ Couples Is Unconstitutional, Tokyo Court Rules
South Korea's LGBTQ Community Confronts Crushing Headwinds in Fight for Equality

LGBTQ Issues in Asia

LGBTQ issues in Asian countries, including Japan, Korea, and Thailand, have seen significant shifts in recent years, albeit at varying paces and degrees. While some progress has been made in terms of legal recognition and social acceptance, challenges persist, highlighting the complex interplay between culture, tradition, and modernity in these societies.

In Japan, there has been a growing visibility of LGBTQ individuals in recent years, with Tokyo Pride Parade attracting tens of thousands of participants annually. Legal recognition has also improved, notably with the introduction of partnership certificates in some municipalities, although same-sex marriage remains unrecognized at the national level. However, social stigma and discrimination persist, particularly in more conservative rural areas, reflecting deeply ingrained cultural attitudes.

GLSEN: LGBTQ Asians Who Have Made an Impact

United Nations: Being LGBTQ in Asia

HRC: Being Asian Pacific Islander and LGBTQ

Video: Queer Asians Coming Out to Immigrant Parents

Out China: YouTube Channel

In South Korea, despite a vibrant LGBTQ community and increasing visibility in media and entertainment, societal acceptance lags behind. Same-sex marriage is not legally recognized, and discrimination in employment and education is still prevalent. However, there have been promising signs of change, with public attitudes slowly shifting, especially among younger generations who are more open-minded.

Thailand stands out as a relatively progressive country in the region regarding LGBTQ rights. It has a thriving LGBTQ scene, particularly in Bangkok, and is known for its vibrant transgender culture. Same-sex relationships are not criminalized, and steps have been taken towards legal recognition, such as the Gender Equality Act of 2015. However, discrimination and social stigma persist, particularly in rural areas, highlighting the urban-rural divide in attitudes towards LGBTQ issues.

Overall, while there have been positive developments in LGBTQ rights in Asian countries like Japan, Korea, and Thailand, challenges remain. Legal recognition and social acceptance vary widely across these nations, reflecting the diverse cultural, religious, and political landscapes. Continued advocacy, education, and dialogue are crucial for further progress towards equality and inclusion for LGBTQ individuals in Asia.

GLAAD: Honoring LGBTQ Asian Americans

Chinese Ad Features Gay Couple

Video: Talk with Chinese Gay Couple

NASPA: Challenges for LGBTQ Asian American Students

Sam & Mon/Unconditionally/GAP The Series

Thailand's First Trans Woman to Run for Prime Minister

Mark Takano: Fighting Back Against Anti-Asian Racism

Ride or Die: Japanese Lesbian Thriller is not Stereotypical

Asian LGBTQ Celebrities

Erica Sullivan (Japanese) - Olympic Athlete

Jake Choi (Korean) - Actor, Athlete

BD Wong (Chinese) - Actor

Margaret Cho (Korean) - Comedian

George Takei (Japanese) - Actor

Hayley Kiyoko (Japanese) - Musician

Huang Jie (Taiwanese) - Politician

Tran Thi Thu (Vietnamese) - Soccer Player

Chantale Wong - US Ambassador, Director of Asian Dev Bank

Justin Huertas (Filipino) - Playwright

Sherry Cola (Chinese) - Comedian, Actor

Sam Park (Korean) - Georgia Politician, HIV Activist

Bowen Yang (Chinese) - Comedian, SNL Cast Member

Shinjiro Atae (Japanese) - Musician, Pop Star

Mark Takano (Japanese) - Politician

Kim Coco (Japanese) - Activist

Helen Zia (Chinese) - Journalist, Advocate

Dan Choi (Korean) - Soldier, Advocate

Marshall Bang (Korean) - Musician, K-Pop

Joel Kim Booster (Korean) - Actor

Jakapong Jakrajutatip (Thai) - Business Executive

Glenn Magpantay (Filipino) - US Commission on Civil Rights

Michelle Dee (Filipino) - Miss Universe Philippines

Sarocha Chankimha (Thai) - Actor

Rebecca Patricia Armstrong (Thai) - Actor

Park Chohyeon (Korean) - Musician, K-Pop

LGBTQ Asian Films

Best Asian Gay Movies of All Time

Top Asian Lesbian Movies

Korean Lesbian Movies and Series

Greatest Asian Lesbian Movies You Must See

Japanese Pop Star Shinjiro Atae Comes Out As Gay

Jan Di and Jae Kyung

CNN: The Problem with Being Gay in South Korea

Letter to Queer Asian Americans

Japanese Court Rules Same-Sex Marriage Ban is Unconstitutional

Our Families: LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islander Stories

Video List: Famous Asian American LGBTQ People

Crazy Queer Asians: Sex Positivity

Korean Love Story: Hug Me

Being Gay in Deeply Conservative China

List: LGBTQ Americans of Asian Decent

Japanese Love Story: Make Me Complete

LGBTQ Millennials: Acceptance and Tolerance in Singapore

Gay Guide to Bangkok for First Timers

Same Sex Asian Couple: Wedding Party

Infatuation: Korean Music Video

Cello and a Kiss

Girls Love: Southeast Asian Entertainment

Who are Freen and Becky?

We've all heard of K-Pop, the moniker for the Korean popular entertainment scene. Well, have you heard of T-Pop? It is the label for the Thai popular entertainment scene.

Meet Freen Sarocha and Becky Armstrong (Shipped as FreenBecky). Freen and Becky, also known as Sarocha Chankimha (Freen) and Rebecca Patricia Armstrong (Becky), are two talented lesbian Thai actresses, singers, and models who have achieved considerable popularity for their roles in the GL (Girls Love) series “GAP: The Series.” They have won the hearts of fans worldwide with their exceptional performances and on-screen (and off-screen) chemistry.

Rule Your Own Pink by Becky Armstrong

Interview with Freen and Becky

No More Blues by FreenBecky

Becky Armstrong: Daylight Taylor Swift Cover

FreenBecky: Unexpected New Role on Their New Series

FreenBecky: Love Scene

Sam & Mon: Romantic Scenes
Top GL Dramas of 2023

Sam and Mon: Unconditionally

FreenBecky TikTok

Sam & Mon: Give Me Your Forever
Marry Me by FreenBecky

Freen and Becky have been involved in various film and music projects and have received awards and recognition for their contributions to the entertainment industry. Their successful careers and engaging personalities have made them beloved figures in the Thailand entertainment scene.

“GAP: The Series” debuted in late 2022 and continued into early 2023, becoming a significant milestone in the GL genre within the T-Pop or Thai entertainment industry. It received praise for its depiction of lesbians as the main couple and has been well-received by both domestic and international audiences.

FreenBecky: Sam and Mon Montage

Sam & Mon: Love Me Like You Do
Sam and Mon: All Too Well
Becky Armstrong and Freen Sarocha Fall in Love

Uranus 2324: Thai Movie Trailer

Freen and Becky On-Screen
Sam and Mon: Kiss Me Slowly

GAP The Series: Episode One
Mon & Sam: Kissing Scenes from GAP The Series

Becky Armstrong: Dao (Star) Cover
Freen & Becky Flirting Moments
Sam & Mon: Call Out My Name

Sarocha Chankimha, also known as “Freen,” is a professional Thai actress and model. She gained prominence for her role as Samanan Anantrakul (Sam) in the popular Thai drama series GAP (2022). Freen was born in 1998, in Thailand. From a young age, Freen had a passion for the corporate sector and desired to pursue a career in that field. To pursue her passion, she enrolled at the College of Communication Arts at Rangsit University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and corporate communication. In addition to her academic achievements, Freen also made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. Her notable performance in the GAP series showcased her talent and helped establish her as a rising star. In 2016, she received a nomination and made it to the top fifteen finalists for the prestigious Miss Teen Thailand title. Freen’s dedication and talent have contributed to her success and popularity in the entertainment industry.

Interview with Freen and Becky

No More Blues by FreenBecky

Becky Armstrong: Daylight Taylor Swift Cover

Sam & Mon: Earned It

FreenBecky: Unexpected New Role on Their New Series

Sam & Mon: Give Me Your Forever

FreenBecky: Love Scene
Top GL Dramas of 2023

Sam and Mon: Unconditionally

Rebecca Patricia Armstrong, commonly known as Becky Armstrong, is a talented Thai-English actress, singer, and model, born in 2002 (She has a Thai mother and a British father). Becky made her debut in the Thai entertainment industry in 2020, showcasing her acting skills in the TV series “TharnType 2: 7 Years Of Love,” where she played one of the supporting roles. Her impressive performance in the show garnered attention and set the stage for her promising career. Continuing her journey in the entertainment world, Becky took on more projects like “Secret Crush On You” in 2022, and “GAP: the Series” in 2022, further establishing herself as a rising star in the industry. With her talent and versatility, she has already become a popular figure among fans and industry insiders alike. As her career continues to unfold, audiences eagerly await her future projects and performances.

Sam & Mon: All Too Well

Becky Armstrong: Dao (Star) Cover
Freen & Becky Flirting Moments
Marry Me by FreenBecky

FreenBecky: Sam and Mon Montage

Sam & Mon: Give Me Your Forever

Becky Armstrong and Freen Sarocha Fall in Love

Uranus 2324: Thai Movie Trailer

Freen and Becky On-Screen
Sam and Mon: Kiss Me Slowly
FreenBecky TikTok

Olympian Erica Sullivan: Witty, Charming, Asian, and Gay

There might not be anyone having more fun at the Tokyo Olympics than swimmer Erica Sullivan. The 20-year-old Las Vegas native has been having a blast inside and outside the pool, showing off her funny personality and charming local reporters with her fluent Japanese — all while making sure she's leaving Tokyo with a medal around her neck.

Sullivan made history in July 2021 when she brought home the silver medal in the first women's 1,500-meter freestyle in Olympic history behind world-record holder Katie Ledecky. She did it in a country that she frequently visited as a child, as her mother is a Japanese citizen living in America on a green card. "Just me getting to be on the podium, in Japan, as an Asian American woman and getting to take silver in a historical women’s event for the first time, as someone who likes women and who identifies as gay — it’s so cool,” she said in her press conference afterward. "It’s awesome."

Erica Sullivan: Witty, Charming, Asian, and Gay

Olympian Erica Sullivan Proudly Declares Herself Queer

Team USA: Olympic Swimmer Erica Sullivan

Sullivan also joked about her performance in the qualifying heats before Ledecky stole her thunder. "Fun fact: I had the Olympic record for 16 minutes. Katie Ledecky put in the work and threw down the heat after. But I’ll proceed to flex my 16 minutes," she tweeted. Her Twitter bio also notes that she is "good at not drowning... sometimes."

She is more than happy to share the spotlight with Ledecky, who gave her a big hug after they finished first and second in the race.

"It's just awesome that I get to do this and really set a landmark for women and also get to do it in Japan where I have half my family," Sullivan said on NBC Today Show. "It means a lot, and it's always an honor to do it beside Katie because Katie's going to forever be in the history books, so the fact that I get to be a small little footnote in that is awesome."

She was asked after the race if she saw Ledecky's feet when she was finishing. "Um, I saw her wake," Sullivan told TeamUSA.org. "I’ve never actually seen Katie’s feet in a race unless I’m severely out too fast."

Sullivan was then asked if she thought she had a shot at catching the six-time Olympic gold medal winner. "Do you know who that girl is?" Sullivan said. "Hell, no."

Sullivan spoke in fluent Japanese to reporters after her race while also expanding on everything from her upbringing to training in the "absolutely disgusting" Lake Mead during the pandemic, and representing the LGBTQ community. Sullivan, who came out as publicly gay in 2017, said in the press conference that she is the "epitome of an American person."

Erica Sullivan: Witty, Charming, Asian, and Gay

Olympian Erica Sullivan Proudly Declares Herself Queer

Team USA: Olympic Swimmer Erica Sullivan

"I’m multicultural. I’m queer. I’m a lot of minorities. That’s what America is," she said. "To me, America is not about being a majority. It’s about having your own start. The American dream is coming to a country to be able to establish what you want to do with your life."

Her drive to get prepared for Tokyo also led her to train in Lake Mead outside Las Vegas when pool access was restricted due to the pandemic. The conditions were less than ideal. "There's just duck poop everywhere, and it’s murky," she said. "It’s a solid brown-green on a good day. It’s just gross. … We were getting duck mites. Apparently they like to eat on ducks’ poop, and they like still water. We were covered in bites. It was just nasty. It built character development. I’m funnier because of it."

Beneath the humor is also a 20-year-old who has faced serious adversity. Her father, John, who was a swimmer himself at the University of Wisconsin, died in 2017 from cancer only three months after he was diagnosed. Sullivan, who was 16 at the time, made the national team only four weeks after his death. "The last five years, I've had a lot of struggles, and I think everyone knows that. It's pretty much an open book now," she said in the press conference. "But it feels good to have it all finally pay off, and I really hope I can be like a beacon of hope to anyone who's struggling with mental health or coming out or any minority that they are, to show that there's hope, and honestly me getting to do it here, where half my family is from, means the world."

While her family was unable to be in Tokyo due to a ban on spectators, they have been a crucial part of her journey. Her late grandfather even served as an architect on some of the Olympic venues in Tokyo. "It's surprising and it's really cool that everything just happened to line up and work out," Sullivan said on TODAY. "My mom would've loved to be here, but she's at home in Vegas cheering us on."

Sullivan is also making the most of her time in the spotlight when it comes to meeting Olympic stars. "I would like to use this shot to say that if the women’s soccer team, especially Tobin Heath and Christen Press, would like to reach out, that would mean the world," she said at the press conference. At the rate she's going, it will be the women's soccer team who's excited to meet her.

[Source: Scott Stump, NBC Today, July 2021]

Taiwan Makes History: Elects Huang Jie as First Ever Out LGBTQ Legislator
Vietnamese Soccer Star Makes History by Marrying Her Girlfriend

Thailand Moves One Step Closer to Marriage Equality with Approval of Draft Bill
Japanese Court Rules Against Same-Sex Marriage Ban in Major Win for LGBTQ Equality
Henry Tse Wins Landmark Trans Rights Case in Hong Kong
LGBTQ Celebs and Allies Talk the Magic of Being Queer and Asian at Gold Gala 2023
Glenn Magpantay Is One of the Most Powerful Asian American Gay Men in the Nation
Same-Sex Couples Will Now Have Full Adoption Rights in Taiwan
Tokyo Rainbow Pride Parade Celebrates Advances in LGBTQ Rights

LGBTQ People Must Condemn Violence Against Asian-Americans

“HIV has taught us that violence, bullying and discrimination only serve to further marginalize the people most in need,” said Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS. “All people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, are entitled to the right to health, safety and security, without exception. Respect and dignity are needed now more than ever before.”

Asian-Pacific Islanders are facing bigotry related to the current health crisis, and we must stand up for them. Being an immigrant born in South Korea is always a factor in who I am and how I am treated in America. However, the xenophobia I am experiencing related to the COVID-19 pandemic is heartbreaking. In the past month alone, a mother yanked her child away from me while saying disgustedly, “Those people,” and a man turned his entire body away from me in an airport. The disgust, anger, and fear that people are directing toward Asian-Pacific Islander folks in the United States is palpable.

And the president of the United States isn’t helping matters. While he has pulled back from calling COVID-19 “the “Chinese virus” in recent press briefings, the damage is already done. President Trump put a target on the backs of Asian-Americans like myself. The violence against API folks is drastically increasing as a result of xenophobia and fear due to COVID-19. In Midland, Texas, a man stabbed three members of an Asian-American family (including a 2-year-old and a 6-year-old) because of their race. The FBI has since ruled this attack as a hate crime, and ABC News reports the agency’s analysis of crimes against API individuals is expected to surge in the coming weeks.

As the pandemic continues, I am checking in with my API siblings. Every single one of them is expressing deep concern about the uptick in violence against our community. They are anxious when leaving their homes to buy essential items such as groceries or gas. They feel more isolated than ever, especially practicing social distancing and sheltering in place. These fears are even more intensified when I speak to other queer and trans Asian-Americans.

Mark Takano: Fighting Back Against Anti-Asian Racism

Advocate: LGBTQ People Must Condemn Violence Against Asian Americans
CNN: COVID-19 Has Inflamed Racism Against Asian Americans

Advocate: COVID 19 Doesn't Discriminate and Neither Should We

Washington Post: Targeting Asian Americans During COVIS-19 Crisis

Time Magazine: As Coronavirus Spreads, So Does Xenophobia

As the executive director of the Transgender Education Network of Texas, I want to shine a light on the harm caused by racist rhetoric. During a public health crisis, LGBTQ people are always the first to be negatively impacted. The COVID-19 pandemic is no different. LGBTQ people are at greater risk of having chronic illnesses and asthma, are more likely to smoke, and are less likely to have health care. As a transgender Asian-American, I know firsthand what it feels like to be disrespected and mistreated just for being who I am. When I see other populations mistreated and harmed, I stand up for those individuals. I’m asking my LGBTQ allies to do the same when they see an API person in harm’s way.

I’m proud to be part of the LGBTQ movement that stands behind our people, whether they are Black, Indigenous, Muslim, Latinx, or anyone who’s being targeted for something about themselves they have no control over. It’s time to take a stand for all API folks and speak out against this injustice and these racist attacks.

TENT is committed to addressing the rising violence against API folks. We are deeply concerned by the president’s insistence on referring to COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus.” We’ve seen his racist rhetoric put to work before: He’s vilified Muslims, targeted Latinx folks, and used dog-whistle racist terms to activate white nationalists against the Black community. Each time, we’ve stood up, and now I’m asking you to join me in standing up yet again. Thank you for volunteering your time, donating your money, and defending our rights whenever they’re under attack. I hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe, protected, and well.

[Source: Emmett Schelling, Executive Director, Transgender Education Network of Texas, Advocate Magazine. April 2020]

Japan Court Rules That Ban on Same-Sex Marriage is Unconstitutional

Taiwan Considering Third Gender Option for IDs

Same Love: LGBTQ Relationships in the Philippines

Fans Cheer as Japanese Pop Star Shinjiro Atae Comes Out on Stage

Wikipedia: LGBTQ Americans of Asian Decent

Video List: Famous Asian American LGBTQ People

HRC: Religion and Coming Out Issues for Asian Pacific Americans

Our Families: LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islander Stories

Suyeon and Eunbin

Video: Coming Out to Immigrant Parents

Challenges of LGBTQ Asian Pacific Islanders

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Asian Pacific Islanders (API) are minorities within a minority. Although the media are covering the lives, stories and issues of LGBTQ people more frequently, and often in a more fair, accurate and balanced manner, repeatedly API LGBTQ voices, perspectives and opinions are left out of the picture. Within the "mainstream" LGBTQ community, Asian Pacific Islanders can feel invisible since images in LGBTQ publications are primarily white. Furthermore when APIs are represented, they are presented stereotypical, exoticized or as the "china doll", which reinforces stereotypes of APIs being silent, demure and sexual objects

Hong Kong: First Asian City to Host Gay Games

Adorable Chinese Lesbian Wedding

Japanese Court Rules Same-Sex Marriage Ban is Unconstitutional

Les Love: Chinese Lesbian Film

Famous Asian Transgender People

Video Talk: Being a Chinese Lesbian

Edgar and James: Gay Philippine Wedding

Lesbian Couple: Galliyan Music Video

API LGBTQ Community in San Francisco

Acceptance of LGBTQ Asian Americans

Gay Asian Americans tend to be rated as more American than their presumably straight counterparts, according to new research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science.

“Research on race is often separate from research on sexual orientation. Here we bring the two together to understand how they interact to influence judgments of how American someone is considered,” said study author Sapna Cheryan, a University of Washington associate professor of psychology.

In two studies of 1,336 individuals recruited from a university campus, participants were randomly assigned to read a description of a person, who was described either as either a man, a woman, a white person, or an Asian American person. The person’s sexual orientation was noted as “gay” or wasn’t listed.

The participants were then asked to rate the person’s American identity with several questions like: “How American is this person?”, “How fluently do you think this person speaks English?”, and “How integrated is this person in American culture?”

LGBTQ Millennials: Acceptance and Tolerance in Singapore

Korean Film: Lesbian Love Story

Our Families: LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islander Stories

Marrz and Inna Fall in Love

Justin and Tim: Kauai Wedding

HRC: Society and Coming Out Issues for Asian Pacific Americans

Gay Guide to Bangkok for First Timers

The researchers found that Asian Americans who were identified as gay were perceived to be more American than Asian Americans whose sexual orientation was not identified. There was no significant difference observed between Asian American and non-Asian American participants.

“One possible extension of this work is that gay Asian Americans may be less likely to have their American identities questioned than straight Asian Americans,” Cheryan said. “At the same time, being gay puts people more at risk for other forms of prejudice based on sexual orientation.”

In a third study of 75 university students, the researchers found that gay people were perceived as more accepted in American than Asian culture. A fourth study of 101 students found that gay people were viewed as more American when their country of origin was perceived as less accepting of gay people than the United States.

“American culture is perceived as more accepting of gay people compared to Asian culture. As a result, gay Asian Americans are perceived as more likely to be American than their straight counterparts,” the researchers explained in their study.

The study (like all research) includes some caveats. The generalizability of findings could limited because the sample was predominantly college students. Future research could address whether the findings extend to other ethnic groups as well.

“For example, countries in the Middle East and North Africa tend to have anti-LGBTQ laws, and gay people associated with these cultures may be assumed to be more American than their straight counterparts,” the researchers noted.

[Source: Gay Asian Americans Are Seen as More American Than Asian Americans Who Are Presumed Straight by Mika Semrow, Linda X. Zou, Shuyang Liu, and Sapna Cheryan]

Real Americans: Gay Asian Americans

Yoon Bok and Jeong Hyang: Painter of the Wind

Video Talk: Being a Chinese Lesbian

Williams Institute Report: Demographics of LGBTQ Asian Pacific Islanders

Jan Di and Jae Kyung

Adorable Lesbian Couple: Evening Routine

Video Story: Coming Out to My Asian Parents

Lesbian Couple: Ek Dil Ek Jaan Music Video

Taiwan Becomes First Asian Country to Legalize Same Sex Marriage

Bank and Kim: Gay Thai Wedding

Living in the Margins: National Survey of LGBTQ Asian Americans

Gay Guide to Bangkok for First Timers

Video: Talk with Chinese Lesbian Couple

Japanese Court Rules Same-Sex Marriage Ban is Unconstitutional

Queer Asian Project

Fans Cheer as Japanese Pop Star Shinjiro Atae Comes Out on Stage

China's Thriving Drag Queen Culture

Thailand Same-Sex Marriage Ceremony

Queer Korean Musicians

Holland - Well-known as the media’s first openly gay K-Pop idol. He debuted in January 2018 and stated that he wanted to make his debut as a singer to speak up on his experiences with violent assaulters and victims stricken on sexual minorities. He originally debuted without an agency since many did not want to sign someone who would speak on sexual minorities, but has since signed to an agency.

Harisu - Transgender entertainer and singer. Born in 1975, she identified as female from early childhood and had sex reassignment surgery in the 1990s. She has been active since 2001 and is active in South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Lady - First all-transgender group in South Korea. The group debuted in 2005 and had four members: Sinae, Sahara, Binu, and Yuna. The group’s main inspiration is from Harisu. Sadly, the group wasn’t able to be promoted well due to their music videos not being well received. The group disbanded in 2007.

Maman - First openly gay idol. Shortly after debuting, Maman came out as gay in an interview. Due to struggles with her recording company, she has been inactive since 2015.

Korea Boo: Openly Queer K-Pop Idols
K-Pop Map: Artists Who Represent the LGBTQ Community in South Korea
Rolling Stone: BTS Breaking K-Pop Barriers and Taboos

Pop Asia: Most Popular K-Pop Idols Voted by LGBTQ Koreans

Hanbit - Model, actress, and singer who debuted in 2016 under the girl group Mercury. With the support of her parents, Hanbit underwent male-to-female sex reassignment surgery in 2006. In an interview, she stated, "Living with a female body itself brought me the greatest feeling of euphoria."

Hansol - Came out as asexual and aromantic. He has since been vocal about his queer identity and how it feels to live as a queer man in South Korea. When talking about his sexuality, Hansol has stated that, "I’m not attracted to the opposite sex, but I’m also not attracted to the same sex. I never bothered to date and I hate sex very much."

D.I.P - Debuted in 2016, and members Seungho and B Nish are in a public relationship. The two announced they were dating and are very open about their sexuality. D.I.P’s leader is also LGBTQ. He is bisexual and has stated that he is attracted to both men and women.

Marshall Bang - Originally from Orange County, he traveled to Korea to become a K-Pop star. He has been openly gay since 2015 and debuted in 2018. Though his gay Korean friends told him it would be better to stay in the closet, he chose to come out as a way to be his true self.

Asian Couple: Pre-Wedding Photos

Our Families: LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islander Stories

HRC: Being Asian Pacific Islander and LGBTQ

Vietnam's The Bachelor: Two Women Contestants Find Love

Japanese Court Rules Same-Sex Marriage Ban is Unconstitutional

Williams Institute Report: Demographics of LGBTQ Asian Pacific Islanders

Jan Di and Jae Kyung

Demographics of LGBTQ Asian Pacific Americans

According to the Williams Institute, at the UCLA School of Law, there is an estimated 324,600 LGBTQ API adults in the US. There are 32,931 API individuals in same-sex couples in the US. 25% of API same-sex couples are raising children. LGBTQ API adults tend to live in areas where there are higher proportions of API individuals, as opposed to areas with higher proportions of the broader LGBTQ population.

No More Blues by FreenBecky

Thailand Parliament Debates Marriage Equality Bill

LGBTQ Rights in Asia: Progress and Setbacks in 2023
K-Pop Idol Park Chohyeon Comes Out and Goes Public With Her Girlfriend
Japanese Pop Star Shinjiro Atae Comes Out As Gay

Drag Domination: Japan’s Drag Scene is Bursting at the Seams

Proud to be Queer and Vietnamese

Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee Comes Out as Bisexual
Japanese Court Rules Same-Sex Marriage Ban is Unconstitutional

Transgender Asian Pacific Islanders Face Significant Discrimination

LGBTQ Rights in Japan

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer persons in Japan may face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ persons. Same-sex sexual activity was legalized in 1880 after the installation of the Napoleonic Code and the age of consent is currently equalized. Same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are ineligible for the legal protections available to opposite-sex couples. Japanese culture and major religions originated in and imported to Japan do not have a history of hostility towards homosexuality, and a majority of Japanese citizens are reportedly in favor of accepting homosexuality, with a recent poll indicating that 54 percent agreed that homosexuality should be accepted by society while 36 percent disagreed, with a large age gap. Although many political parties have not openly supported or opposed LGBTQ rights, there are several openly LGBTQ politicians joined in office. A law allowing transgender individuals to change their legal gender post-sex reassignment surgery was passed in 2002. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is banned in certain cities.

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Intimate Look at Queer Life in Japan

Fans Cheer as Japanese Pop Star Shinjiro Atae Comes Out on Stage

Japanese Govt Official Criticizes LGBTQ Community

Are LGBTQ People Accepted in Japan?

Japanese Wedding Ceremony

Marriage Equality in Taiwan

On May 24, 2017, Taiwan’s constitutional court declared that same-sex couples have the right to legally marry, the first such ruling in Asia, sparking celebration by activists who have been campaigning for the right for years. The court, known as the Judicial Yuan, said current marriage laws were “in violation of both the people’s freedom of marriage and the people’s right to equality”, and it gave two years for legal amendments to allow same-sex marriage. “If relevant laws are not amended or enacted within the said two years, two persons of the same sex who intend to create the said permanent union shall be allowed to have their marriage registration effectuated,” the court said.

Hundreds of supporters of same-sex marriage gathered in the street next to the island’s parliament to celebrate the decision, holding colorful umbrellas to ward off a drizzle. “This ruling has made me very happy,” said Chi Chia-wei, a veteran gay rights activist who had petitioned the court to take up the issue. The ruling clearing the way for same-sex marriage is the first in Asia, where socially conservative attitudes largely hold sway.

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Taiwan Becomes First Asian Country to Legalize Same Sex Marriage

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Korean Film: Lesbian Love Story

Les Love: Chinese Lesbian Film

New Study: Gay Asian Americans More Accepted as Americans

Hong Kong Court Rules in Favor of Gay Couple

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LGBTQ Culture in China

LGBTQ identities and communities have expanded in Mainland China since the 1980s as a result of resurfacing dialogue about and engagement with queer identities in the public domain. Since the 1990s, the preferred term for people of diverse sexuality, sex and gender is tongzhi. While lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer culture remains largely underground, there are a plethora of gay cruising zones and often unadvertised gay bars, restaurants and discos spread across the country. The recent and escalating proliferation of gay identity in Mainland China is most significantly signaled by its recognition in mainstream media despite China's media censorship. There are also many gay websites and LGBTQ organizations which help organize gay rights' campaigns, AIDS prevention efforts, film festivals and pride parades. Public sentiment on homosexuality in China is in limbo. While it is not outright condemned, neither is it fully accepted as being part of the social norm.

The influence of Western gay and lesbian culture on China's culture is complex. While Western ideas and conceptions of gayness have begun to permeate the Chinese gay and lesbian identity, some Chinese gay and lesbian activists have pushed back against the mainstream politics of asserting one's own identity and pushing for social change due to its disruption of family ties and social harmony. Most of the exposure to Western gay and lesbian culture is through the internet or the media, but this exposure is limited—mainstream symbols of gay and lesbian culture (such as the rainbow flag) are not widely recognizable in China.

In 2009 a male couple held a symbolic wedding in public, and China Daily took the photo of the two men in a passionate embrace across its pages. Other symbolic gay and lesbian weddings have been held across the country and have been covered positively by the Chinese media.

In 2012, Luo Hongling, a university professor, committed suicide because she knew her husband was a gay man. She alleged their marriage was just a lie since the man could not admit he was gay to his parents. Luo was considered a "homowife," local slang for a woman married to a homosexual male, akin to the English term "beard".

In 2016, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television banned images of homosexuals on television.

Adult, consensual and non-commercial homosexuality has been legal in China since 1997, when the national penal code was revised. Homosexuality was removed from the Ministry of Health's list of mental illnesses in 2001 and the public health campaign against HIV/AIDS pandemic does include education for men who have sex with men. Officially, overt police enforcement against gay people is restricted to gay people engaging in sex acts in public or prostitution, which are also illegal for heterosexuals.

However, despite these changes, no civil rights law exists to address discrimination or harassment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Households headed by same-sex couples are not permitted to adopt children and do not have the same privileges as heterosexual married couples.

Research conducted by The Chinese Journal of Human Sexuality in 2014 showed that nearly 85 percent of the 921 respondents supported same-sex marriage, while about 2 percent of them oppose the idea, and 13 percent of them said "not sure."

On January 5, 2016, a court in Changsha, southern Hunan province, agreed to hear the lawsuit of 26-year-old Sun Wenlin filed in December 2015 against the Furong district civil affairs bureau for its June 2015 refusal of the right to register to marry his 36-year-old male partner, Hu Mingliang. On April 13, 2016, with hundreds of gay marriage supporters outside, the Changsha court ruled against Sun, who vowed to appeal, citing the importance of his case for LGBTQ progress in China. On May 17, 2016, Sun and Hu were married in a private ceremony in Changsha, expressing their intention to organize another 99 LGBTQ weddings across the country in order to normalize gay marriage in China.

	Tong Xing	Homosexual/Same Sex
	Ji Lao	Gay Guy
	La La	Lesbian Woman

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Buddhism and LGBTQ Issues

The relationship between Buddhism and sexual orientation varies by tradition and teacher. According to some scholars, early Buddhism appears to have placed no special stigma on homosexual relations, since the subject was not mentioned.

One of the differences between Buddhism and other religions is how little emphasis it places on sexuality as a moral issue. While other religions place rules about sexual behavior, marriage, and sexual orientation at the center of their ethical universe, Buddhism pretty much limits its comment to the admonition not to harm others through sexuality. (That’s for lay practitioners, of course. Obviously, there are strict rules for celibate monastics.) The result is that Buddhist attitudes toward LGBTQ people are more a reflection of cultural attitudes than Buddhist philosophy per se.

While traditional Buddhist societies are more conservative, the Buddhist community in the West is generally socially liberal and very welcoming to LGBTQ members. There are prominent gay and lesbian teachers, and most major communities host events, meditations, and retreats specifically for LGBTQ practitioners.

Based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, Buddhism is considered a way of life for more than 500 million individuals across the globe. The fourth largest religion in the world, Buddhism is largely built on concepts that foster individual enlightenment and encourage personal responsibility. It is sometimes described more as a philosophy or psychology than a religion.

Sexual orientation, specifically, was not elaborated upon by Siddhartha Gautama, nor is there any reference or guidance for lay people regarding sexual orientation or same-sex behavior within the Pali Canon, the scriptural texts that hold the Buddha’s original teachings. The Vinyana, a Buddhist text for monks, forbids Buddhist monks and nuns from having sexual relationships with men, women and those of other genders, such as pandanka (interpreted as those with indeterminate sexual characteristics or people who do not conform to sexual norms, such as prostitutes). These textual references do not target LGBTQ people specifically, as everyone within the monastic order is expected to refrain from all forms of sexual relations. This practice is especially common within Theravada Buddhism, which focuses heavily on the monastic tradition.

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Zen Buddhism does not make a distinction between same-sex and opposite-sex relationships. Instead, the expectation is not to harm, exploit or manipulate others, which would directly violate the third precept. For instance, Zen Buddhists often refer to hedonism, ascetic masochism and prostitutions as practices that violate the “Middle Way.”

Regarding Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama’s perspectives are complex and evolving. On the positive side, he has publicly condemned violence against LGBTQ people and has been reported to have said, “If the two people have taken no vows [of chastity] and neither is harmed why should it not be acceptable." Yet in a 1997 press conference he commented that “from a Buddhist point of view [lesbian and gay sex] is generally considered sexual misconduct.” Messages from the Dalai Lama have been mixed and somewhat influx. During a meeting with representatives of the LGBTQ community, the Dalai Lama reportedly showed interest in how modern scientific research might create new understanding of the Buddhist texts, acknowledging a “willingness to consider the possibility that some of the teachings may be specific to a particular cultural and historic context."

Overall, it is difficult to qualify Buddhism’s perspective on same-sex marriage, since perspectives vary greatly within the religion. Because of Buddhism’s core theme to attain enlightenment, the path one chooses to take within the religion is largely personal, as is one’s beliefs. Hence, most Buddhist literature indicates that opposition to or support for marriage rights for same-sex couples is a personal, rather than religious, statement.

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