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We are not outcasts that don’t cherish our roots.
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“Queer people have always been around us, contributing to the community in meaningful ways. “As a queer person working with the Chinatown community, I have never felt like there was a symbol or thing that embodied my pride for my roots and my sexual identity.” Harry wanted to dismantle the notion that queerness is an invention of the West, which inspired the front pocket design “We are not an invention of the West, 西方沒有發明我們.” The t-shirt also has a back screen print design featuring bilingual translations and commentary about queerness.
#WEARING A GAY PRIDE SHIRT IN PUBLIC FULL#
He merged this concept with a menu design, a recognizable image in the Chinese American community, to bring things full circle. In the 1890s, queer people used to wear sprigs of lavender on their lapel to signal their sexuality to other queer folks, done to avoid harsh laws against homosexuality. Harry Trinh took inspiration for this t-shirt from century-old queer coding. The Inspiration Behind the Welcome to Chinatown Pride T-Shirt This collection features a limited-edition queer coding-inspired t-shirt and rainbow bucket hat that celebrates intersectionality, cultural roots, and colorful identities. So, we took this month to spotlight meaningful pieces designed by queer AAPI designers and artists, including Harry Trinh (Head of Creative) and Vincent Chong (NYC-based fine artist). Although this signifies a time for celebration, the narrative that the West "invented" queerness, along with the trend of corporations commercializing Pride, plays a role in the erasure of Queer Asians from discourse. Originating from the Stonewall Riots in 1969, Pride Month has continued to evolve and take precedent all over the world. Pride Month is the time for us to recognize and celebrate the sacrifices and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community.