Asian queer icons who have openly faced mental health challenges (and what we can learn from them)
Times have changed, and the situation has improved for the queer community. However, it’s still an open secret that LGBTQ+ individuals are still not fully accepted in many places in Asia, which means they have faced pressure and hardship, sometimes leading to mental health challenges. Despite adversity, some queer icons have risen to face their challenges and have become faces of hope for their community. Let’s take a look at some of these icons and what we can learn from them.
Jin Xing
Jin Xing, a transgender icon from China
(Photo originally posted to YouTube: Davos 2017 - Discover a World beyond X and Y Genes)
Often called the Oprah Winfrey of China, Jin Xing, who was a former army dancer, is the first public transgender icon in China. When she underwent gender reassignment surgery, she received a lot of backlash. A lot of her friends mocked her and told her that it would negatively impact her career. However, Jin Xing persevered with her decision.
Unfortunately for her, something went wrong during the surgery, causing her left leg to become paralysed. She discussed in one of her interviews that it was the most devastating time for her as she fell into depression and even thought about ending her own life. Jin Xing never thought that to get what she wanted, she would sacrifice her passion and love for dancing. However, her determination stayed strong as she went through intense physical therapy and managed to get back on the stage once again as a woman.
Since then, her career took off, and she became a phenomenal figure in China. Despite the initial backlash and harsh comments, Jin Xing persevered and managed to attain the life she had always dreamed of, happily married to a German with three adopted kids. Even during the hardest times in life, please never give up. Just like Jin Xing, your resolve can be rewarded in the end.
Vice Ganda
Photo credit: Patrickroque01
Vice Ganda is a renowned comedian, actor, and singer from the Philippines who has openly identified as gay and non-binary. During one of his movie’s media conferences, “And the Breadwinner Is”, Vice shared about how he empathises with how it is difficult for breadwinners to avoid mental health issues. He also admitted that he himself is in a tough spot mentally and is actively seeking professional help.
Vice is proud of himself for undergoing therapy. He acknowledges that a personal issue in the past, from when he started his career as an actor, has affected him until now. Seeking the professional help he so needed has helped him get through life. With so many aspirations and dreams that he wants to achieve, Vice said he had no intention of letting his mental health challenges stop him.
As one of the queer icons in Asia, Vice has taught us courage to seek professional help whenever we need it. Seeking help is not a weakness but an act of service for oneself in order to chase a better and brighter future ahead.
Margaret Cho
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Margaret Cho, a successful bisexual stand-up comedian - Photo credit: Jon Viscott
Margaret Cho had an interesting childhood. Her Korean-immigrant parents bought a bookstore in San Francisco’s gay neighbourhood. It was an extraordinary and eye-opening experience for Margaret exposing her to queer and LGBTQ+ culture from her early days. The variety of people she met made her realise there’s more to life than just the stereotypical offerings that kids her age got. In later years, Margaret Cho realised her identity as a bisexual woman.
A survivor of rape and childhood sexual abuse, Margaret has had a long battle with depression and addiction, which she realised was a way for her to block out her trauma. After a lot of hardships in her career, Margaret’s depression was at its peak, and she almost took a drastic measure to end her own life. It was a hard battle for Margaret. Margaret’s friends couldn’t just stand still anymore and decided to take matters into their own hands. They brought Margaret to go through rehab, which she says has made her grateful to be alive. Since then, Margaret has said that years of therapy have helped to ground her.
Right now, Margaret Cho is working hard as a stand-up comedian, actress, and musician to become the Asian American queer representation that she wished she had in the past. She also uses her comedy as a way to heal from and process her trauma. She wants to inspire the younger queer generations and tell them that they have a safe place in this world. No matter how much hardship they’re facing, they have an ally who would take their side. So, please never give up and keep on living proudly as you are.
Many more Asian queer icons have faced difficulties during their career and social lives. Their queer identities and mental health intersect to create unique experiences and challenges for them. However, like in these examples, it can also give them a one-of-a-kind strength to never give up and face all difficulties in life head-on. Even amongst the harsh critics, storms of mockery, and an unsupportive environment, they have stood strong. So, if you’re experiencing intersectional challenges around your mental health and queer identity in an Asian environment, please do not lose hope.
Sources :
https://mb.com.ph/20/12/2024/vice-ganda-on-mental-health-therapy-i-am-proud-of-it