Supplementing normalcy and otherness: Queer Asian American men reflect on stereotypes, identity, and oppression

Abstract

This paper examines how three queer Asian American men discussed their experiences with different forms of oppression while growing up in the United States. Some of their stories reflect "discrete" forms of oppression while others reflect two types of "intersected" forms. Some of the intersections consist of a coupling of the discrete forms, and point to ways in which queer Asian American men are "doubly oppressed" within mainstream society. Other intersections reflect a partial inversion of the discrete forms, and point to unique forms of oppression within Asian American and queer communities. The inverted notions of normalcy and stereotypes of "the Other" which are expressed within traditionally marginalized communities "supplement" other notions of normalcy and stereotypes, i.e., they cite them, but add a racialized or queered dimension. Educators need to look beyond ways in which queer Asian American males are "doubly oppressed," or risk being complicit with the supplementary forms of oppression.