Gender/Sexuality

“I am not my queerness”

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Growing up, I remember learning that being gay made me lesser. I remember ironing my voice into straightness, my wrists into rigidity, my mannerisms into masculinity. I remember switching out the pronouns to the love songs in my head. I remember acting straight – turning self-deception into a piece of performance art. I remember feeling … Read more

“I am not my acceptance”

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娘娘腔 (pro. niángniángqiāng): literally meaning a womanish mouth; a derogatory term for sissy or effeminate Throughout my childhood in China, I was singled out for the different ways I acted – whether that was the inflections natural in my voice or my predilection for barbies over sports. This was a term I grew accustomed to … Read more