Initiated in 2005, LGBTQ+ History Month is important not only to raise awareness to current struggles but also to celebrate the achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people through history. LGBTQ+ history is a colorful tapestry woven with threads of race, gender, sexuality, culture, and other brilliantly diverse identities. However, we cannot look at history without recognizing and embracing the intersectionality of the diverse experiences and struggles of people of the community. An example of intersectionality would be the difference between a black transgender woman’s experience compared t that of a white gay man. The oppression and discrimination that one faces compared to the other does not stop at sexual orientation and/or gender identity, but it would also implicate racism and transphobia.
The experience of everyone in the community is significantly different to each other when we weigh in factors like culture, class, and race. As an Asian Latina lesbian myself, I sometimes find it hard to relate to the stories of other people from the community. I grew up with religion at the core of it all, macho mindset, and homophobic punchlines every Sunday. The Asian side, even if it was more silent, felt as constrictive as the boisterous Latino one. I often try to avoid my coming out story, just because of how messy it was – all those years of internalized homophobia with compulsory heterosexuality sprinkled on top isn’t a funny first date story. LGTBQ+ people of color face higher rates of injustices and mistreatments in legal systems, employment and aspects of their daily personal lives compared to their white counterparts.
“Crystal, darling, you’re showing your color,” and she says, “I have the right to show my color, darling.”
Whenever I experience a level of discrimination, I play a Russian roulette guessing game of figuring out if it’s because I’m Asian, homophobia, or my Latino roots. Most times I figure it’s one or two out of three. On lazy days I’ll just assume it’s all three and call it a day. I used to take it so hard and personal in the beginning, but I’ve realized, whatever the root of hatred, it’s more of a reflection of themselves. I won’t sit here and say it’s always fun, hate crimes never are, but it does get easier with time, and you start standing up with more pride. I remember at the beginning of my queer journey, I used to go through what I call ‘my list of minorities I form part of’ as a dark list. Like adding burdens to the already present existence. However, I’ve found, the more I repeated them at some point the narrative changed. Yes, I have Asian roots. Yes, I have Latino roots. Yes, I’m a lesbian. It’s in acceptance of the diversity that we may find freedom.
The first time I was made blatantly aware of the intersectionality of the LGBTQ community was when news of the murder of O’Shae Sibley broke. He was a Black gay man who was stabbed back in August 2023 while voguing. It really felt like a slap in the face and at the time I didn’t have to words to explain why I felt so scared, shocked, and angry all at the same time. It was like the wind had been knocked out of me. Hate crimes against the community, unfortunately are quite common, like for instance recent death of Nex Benedict just few days ago. But O’Shae’s death felt more personal, somehow. I realize now it was because of the depth of what the stabbing represented: it wasn’t only homophobia, there were also racial undertones. Being gay wasn’t enough of a target. Race was and still is always a factor. It’s what people first see; you cannot shy away from it – there is no closet for it.
“Crystal, darling, you’re showing your color,” and she says, “I have the right to show my color, darling.”
If we look at the statistics, one third (34%) of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic LGBT people have experienced a hate crime in the past twelve months, compared to one in five white LGBT people (20%). What I feel is often forgotten is that hate crimes exist beyond the rainbow. And it can feel like you’re building a multi-layered tier cake of things that make you a target for oppression.
So, I wanted to take this space to shine a light on these. 10% of LGBTQ+ people of color had a doctor refuse to see them because of their sexual orientation, compared to a 4% of white LGBTQ+. When learning about LGBTQ+ history we often forget to mention the LGBTQ people of color trailblazers that have made, and changed, history for us all. LGBTQ people have always existed – in all corners of the world.