During the month of May, we elevate the stories of immigrants from the Asian continent and Pacific islands. Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month has been recognized in May across the United States since the 1970s, commemorating the arrival of first known Asian American immigrant from Japan, Nakahama Manjirō, on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1896, a feat made possible by a considerable number of Chinese immigrants.

While the category “Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander” (AANHPI) was established in the 1960s to cultivate political power, it is important to recognize that the community is not a monolith and an umbrella term not embraced by all. Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Island Americans represent people from a massive geographic region with diverse cultures and histories. This community includes 19 million Americans, 59% who are first-generation immigrants.

Throughout United States history, immigrants from Asia and Pacific Islands have made significant contributions to the country, while also facing systemic and interpersonal discrimination. In particular, Asian women experience fetishization, while Asian men experience emasculation or are perceived as asexual, making conversations surrounding gender identity and sexual orientation particularly fraught within the community.

To challenge these stereotypes and respect the diversity of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community, we are uplifting the queer stories of AANHPI individuals to bring awareness to the intersectionality of race, gender identity, and sexual orientation today and throughout history.

Profiles will be released throughout May, but you can learn more about our 2025 AANHPI queer icons right now!

Sources: 

Li-Anne. “Absences and Archives: Queer Asian (in)Visibilities and Histories.” North Carolina Asian Americans Together, August 5, 2021. https://ncaatogether.org/2021/08/05/absences-and-archives-queer-asian-invisibilities-and-histories/. 

Thornton, Jacob, and Mark Otto. “Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2024.” Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month. Accessed April 1, 2025. https://asianpacificheritage.gov/About.html.

Zhou, Li. “The Inadequacy of the Term ‘Asian American.’” Vox, May 5, 2021. https://www.vox.com/identities/22380197/asian-american-pacific-islander-aapi-heritage-anti-asian-hate-attacks.