"Q&A" by Emily (she/they)

To be queer & Asian is to constantly question and answer. These two letters delineate my identity into the verbs and the nouns that guide my existence. The duality of the phrase Q&A titles my identity, and my purpose.

My existence as a queer person is incomplete without my identity as an Asian. Throughout my life, I have loved girls and nonbinary-identifying people. The second constant has been my experience of homophobia within Chinese culture, which extends to all Asian cultures. I cannot be queer as I am without being Asian. Additionally, the mainstream white queer culture erases me. Throughout history, I have always been erased. I devote my life to changing this narrative. I am the creator of my representation. I am the author of my story.

To question and to answer has always been the function of the universe. One asks a question. One finds the answer. I am a product of my Universe. I too subsist off these verbs. I seek to understand both myself, and the world around me. I make myself visible through questions and answers. I live a purposeful life. /I strive to give/find purpose in my actions. I ask the question of, who am I? What is my aim? How do I get there? My questions do not show confusion. Quite the opposite – they demonstrate that I have a great purpose, one that I am constantly trying to find/reach.