Reflecting On Pride

June marks Pride Month, and we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge how queer identity intersects with mental health.

Within the queer community, Asian Americans are often overlooked. Despite having played a pivotal role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights in the US, they continue to face dual oppression: racism and homophobia, including stigma from within their own cultures. This discrimination has contributed to a growing mental health crisis among this population.

🔇 A Crisis Hidden in Silence 🔇

A 2021 study revealed that nearly 40% of LGBTQ+ Asian American youth had seriously considered suicide in the past year. Another done in 2023 revealed that more than 50% experience symptoms of anxiety and depression (The Trevor Project). Unfortunately, AAPI adults are not spared, as they are twice as likely to suffer from depression compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers (NAMI, 2020).

👁️ Multiple Layers of Invisible Constraint 👁️

In the US, Asian Americans are often boxed into the model minority myth, which dismisses both their individuality and hardships. On top of that, in many Asian families, queer identity may be seen as a disgrace due to traditional beliefs, forcing people to navigate between “coming out” and “filial piety”.

🚧 Systemic Neglect and Cultural Barriers 🚧

Mental health is still heavily stigmatized in many Asian cultures, where the fear of “losing face” prevents people from seeking help. Only 8.6% of Asian Americans seek professional mental health care, a rate which is far lower than that of other racial groups (SAMHSA, 2019). A systematic review (Chu, 2024) shows that despite multicultural training for providers (APA Multicultural Guidelines, 2017), many still report experiencing discrimination even during therapy. Language barriers and cultural stigma make accessing care even harder. Yet, their resilience shines. From street protests to policy advocacy, or creative artwork to mutual support, queerAAPI are rewriting their own narratives through solidarity and actions.

This Pride Month, we call for…

🩵 Inclusivity: Reject one-dimensional labels. Embrace the full identities of queer AAPI!
💜 Support: When someone comes out to you, start by listening, not judging.
💙 Action: Challenge the systems that marginalize queer and AAPI voices, no matter where–at home, at work or with peers. Be an active ally!

Happiness & belonging aren’t privileges—they’re human rights.

🏳️‍🌈Hapy Pride Month from UCA WAVES!🏳️‍🌈