7 LGBTQ Asian Americans to Celebrate During Pride Month

New York City will be hosting World Pride this year and Taiwan became the first in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage last month, but there is still a lot of work left to be done.

Lawmakers in May passed part of a bill that would allow same-sex couples to apply for “marriage registration.”

Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, tweeted following the vote:

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Back in the U.S., NYC will host World Pride 2019, which also marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.

The uprising began in Greenwich Village in Manhattan, where patrons of the gay bar resisted a police raid.

“Fifty years ago, people stood up for their rights, and look where we’re at now. We’ve got flags all over the city,” 58-year-old airline worker Richard Walker told the Washington Post on Friday.

In 2016, the Stonewall Inn was declared a national monument by President Barack Obama, according to CBS News.

To celebrate, we compiled a list of seven Asian American LGBTQ people you should be aware of:

1. George Takei

Takei is known for portraying Hikaru Sulu in the sci-fi TV series “Star Trek.” He married producer Brad Altman in 2008.

2. Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho is a bisexual comedian, actress and author whose stand-up routines centers around LGBTQ rights and Asian Americans.

3. Maulik Pancholy

The Indian American actor, who starred in hit shows such as “30 Rock” and “Weeds,” came out as gay in a 2013 interview with Out magazine.

4. BD Wong

The 58-year-old actor is best known for his portrayal of Dr. Henry Wu in “Jurassic Park” and Dr. George Huang in the TV series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” He won a Tony Award in 1988 for his role as Song Liling in “M. Butterfly.”

5. Alec Mapa

Mapa also got his big break after he was cast to understudy, and then replace Wong in the Broadway production of “M. Butterfly.” According to his website, Mapa can currently be seen in his recurring role as Animal Vegetable Mineral Man on the hit series “Doom Patrol” on DC Universe.

6. Hayley Kiyoko

Kiyoko, also known as “Lesbian Jesus,” made a name for herself in the music industry with her song “Girls Like Girls.” The former Disney Channel star can be seen in Taylor Swift’s new LGBTQ anthem “You Need to Calm Down.”

7. Chella Man

Man is a 20-year-old actor, model, artist and activist known for sharing his experiences as a transgender, deaf, genderqueer and Jewish person of color on social media.

Featured Image via Instagram / maragaret_cho (Left), georgehtakei (Right)

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