Classes may be out of session, but Pride Month has only just begun! School yourself on some of the biggest transgender and gender non-conforming Asian and Pacific Islanders changing the game of culture and entertainment.
Alok Vaid-Menon (they/them)
The nibling (a gender-neutral term for “niece” and “nephew”) of Indian LGBTQ+ rights activist, Urvashi Vaid, Alok Vaid-Menon is a gender non-conforming, transfemme, poet, artist and activist whose work covers gender, race, culture and trauma. Over the years, they’ve used their platform to discuss how gender expression affects the wider world around us, with their movement #DeGenderFashion, calling to degender the fashion and beauty industry, reaching mainstream audiences.
Bilal Baig (they/them)
The co-creator and star of “Sort Of,” a CBC Television (think CBS, but Canadian) and Max dramedy, Bilal Biag is a calm force of nature known for their dry wit and deadpan delivery. The semi-autobiographical series is the first Canadian primetime show led by a queer, South Asian Muslim. It attracted critical acclaim and was the most-nominated television series at the 10th Canadian Screen Awards. Baig’s criticism of the awards show’s division of gender in the acting categories led to a change in how the award categories were named, leading to Baig winning the inaugural Canadian Screen Award for Best Leading Performance in a Comedy Series.
Chella Man (he/him)
Deaf, queer, transgender, Jewish, Chinese actor, artist, writer and activist Chella Man can’t help but call upon his identity in everything he does. He first rose to prominence in 2017, documenting his transition and personal experiences with gender on his YouTube channel and garnering the attention of publications like i-D, Teen Vogue and GQ. He signed with IMG Models in 2018 as their first…
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