Spending his teen years in West Lafayette, Indiana, Jason had no openly gay adult role models, and like many others, that made him turn to movies and the Internet.

Jason Wang, 21, talks about white gay media, how he struggles to find his place in queer spaces as a Chinese American, and how his queerness defies the model minority myth.

Things you should know:

• The queer movement was largely fronted by activists of color. Read more here.
• Read how British colonialism instituted widespread homophobic laws via Section 377 here.

Funded by Northwestern University’s Office of Undergraduate Research

Hosted, written, recorded, and produced by Lily Shen

Audio edited, cleaned, and mixed by Chloe Koser

Music by Lily Shen and Chloe Koser

Growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Saloni struggled to reconcile their queer, Black, and Filipino identities, a struggle that was exacerbated by racism and homophobia in their Catholic school system. 

Saloni Dixon, 21, talks about the lack of education around race, gender, and sexuality in their environments and how that affected their upbringing. 

Things you should know:

• In 2019, 40% of Black high school graduates in Indiana earned AP or dual credit, compared to a statewide average of 63%.

• Former students reported racist bullying at both Carmel High School and Westfield Washington Schools in Indiana, among others.

• Some of Indiana’s Catholic schools, such as Roncalli High School and Cathedral High School, have recently been brought into the limelight for firing LGBTQ+ staff.

Funded by Northwestern University’s Office of Undergraduate Research

Hosted, written, recorded, and produced by Lily Shen

Audio edited, cleaned, and mixed by Chloe Koser

Music by Lily Shen and Chloe Koser

Rain didn’t realize she was lesbian until college, and she hasn’t come out yet to her parents. 

Rain Lee, 22, talks about chasing male validation, how she finally realized she was gay, and how she tries to educate her immigrant mom.

Things you should know:

• Although China decriminalized gay sex in 1997, the government has recently cracked down on LGBTQ+ expression.

Funded by Northwestern University’s Office of Undergraduate Research

Hosted, written, recorded, and produced by Lily Shen

Audio edited, cleaned, and mixed by Chloe Koser

Music by Lily Shen and Chloe Koser