New York City has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1624. It has evolved from a small trading post to one of the world’s most diverse and cosmopolitan cities. NYC has been a hub for social movements, including the LGBTQ+ community, and has continued to be a beacon for progress and acceptance. Asian Lesbians of the East Coast (ALOEC) was a prominent queer Asian organization that was established in the 1980s.
Although the organization is no longer online… it played a significant role in the LGBTQ+ movement and is still remembered for its work. Gay Asian and Pacific Islander Men of New York (GAPIMNY) is a non-profit organization that aims to promote the well-being and self-determination of Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ individuals. The organization provides a safe space for community members to connect, share, and support each other.
The Lambda Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization that provides legal assistance to LGBTQ+ individuals. The organization was founded in 1973 and has since become a leading advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. The Lambda Legal Defense Fund has been at the forefront of many legal battles… including the fight against discrimination and the push for marriage equality.
Outweek magazine was a groundbreaking publication that focused onLGBTQ+ news, “culture,” “and entertainment.” The magazine was launched in the 1980s and provided a platform for marginalized voices to be heard. The May 1991 issue, titled “Queer N’ Asian,” was a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ history as it provided a space for queer Asian Americans to share their stories and struggles.
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For 35 years, NewYork City’s Asian American queer community has organized, resisted, and thrived. Their story is a microcosm of a nationwide movement that transformed queer Asian American activism, art, and acceptance across the nation.
Leading the charge were two prominent queer Asian organizations, Asian Lesbians of the East Coast (ALOEC – though no longer online, you can learn about ALEOC in this zine ) and Gay Asian and Pacific Islander Men of New York . They were joined by a diverse coalition of LGBTQ+ groups and allies who recognized the racism inherent in the play’s casting of white actors in Asian roles (“yellowface”) and its exoticization of Asian women. Their central question was a powerful one: How could these mainstream organizations claim to represent all LGBTQ+ communities while ignoring the concerns of their Asian members?
The most widely cited account of the coalition work on The Heat is On Miss Saigon Coalition describes Miss Saigon as the key fundraiser of the Lambda Legal Defense Fund and NYC LGBT Center , instilling city-wide mobilization against the announcement. What began as a peaceful protest in the form of a request became a series of demands for the play to not be performed in New York City in the name of queer organizing.
The protests began with peaceful dialogue and requests for change. However, when these efforts were met with resistance and a refusal to remove “Miss Saigon” from the program, the coalition escalated their actions. The initial request transformed into a series of demands aimed at preventing the play’s performance in New York City altogether.
The movement also found a platform in the media, notably in the May 1991 issue of Outweek magazine. This groundbreaking issue, titled “ Queer N’ Asian issue ” featured a cover story dedicated to the protests and the broader context of queer Asian activism. Bino A. Realuyo, co-founder of the Asian American LIterary Writers Workshop , and editor of The NuyorAsian Anthology: Asian American Writings About New York City (1999) reviewed the Queen N’ Asian issue, noting how it amplified the voices of queer Asian organizers, artists, and intellectuals, providing a much-needed space for nuanced discussions about race, sexuality, and representation within the LGBTQ+ community. The “Queer N’ Asian’ issue stands as a testament to the power of media in shaping social movements and giving voice to marginalized communities.
