Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) have introduced new, translated versions of their “Coming Out as LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islander Americans” guide in honor of Lunar New Year. The resource is now available in Simplified Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese. Find all versions of the guide via HRC’s website.

The HRC and NQAPIA intended the translated resource to serve “as a valuable conversation starter” for queer Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (API), their families, and communities, according to a statement from HRC’s Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives & Research, Ty Cobb. One section of the guide even speaks to how language barriers are a specific challenge to many queer API folks: “Language differences can make it difficult to find relevant or relatable resources and support, and a lack of LGBTQ+ API representation in media, entertainment, and politics perpetuates invisibility,” it reads. Read more via them

Translated Resources

Read the translated versions of “Coming Out: Living Authentically as LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islander Americans” in:

Coming Out Living Authentically as LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islander Americans

Our race, ethnicity, language, religion, cultural dress, sexual orientation or gender identity should never be barriers to us living our full lives. For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, coming out is often a significant part of reclaiming this right and living authentically. Coming out is a personal choice, and the lifelong coming out experience is different for everybody. For those of us who identify as LGBTQ and as people of color, it can often feel like we are living at the cusp of an intersection that is challenging to manage. For many Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, coming out is a lifelong process that can require a different approach because of cultural norms or traditions that emphasize duty to family and community. This can make the coming out process more complex to navigate.

When embarking on your own coming out journey, it is important to create a safe space for yourself and evaluate your own unique circumstances. Look for supportive people to whom you can turn during times of need, especially if you might face disapproval or rejection from your family, friends or community. Depending on your individual situation, pick a place and time where you feel the most comfortable and safe to come out.

In too many places, LGBTQ people who live openly can face discrimination and even violence. If you fear this mistreatment, it is important to remember that there is nothing wrong with you. Read more via HRC