Asian American Archives

Asian American

interview

a graphic of the cover of mcsweeney's queer fiction issue, and a photo of the author patti yumi cottrell. the cover features tendrils, foliage and plants with a hand at the bottom.

What Is Queer Fiction? An Interview with Patrick Cottrell

The first time I encountered a book with queer characters must have been James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room. At the time I remember feeling afraid of its intensity. Now it’s one…

Kamala Puligandla —

Oct 28, 2020

Asian American

buddhism

from the back, a line of three women in kimonos perform a Buddhist obon festival dance. the sleeves of their kimonos are decorated with flowers and their hands point to the sky. the dark blue and pink obi are tied on their backs.

first person

The Angsty Buddhist: Growing Up Kinda-Sorta Buddhist

At my Catholic all-girls middle school, I liked to tell people I was Buddhist. It was my feeble attempt at preteen rebellion. I enjoyed interjecting, “Oh yeah? Well, I don’t…

L —

Oct 15, 2020

Asian American

the dyke kitchen

recipes

The Dyke Kitchen: Top Your Instant Ramen

I don’t see it as a culinary failure to plan to have instant noodles for dinner. But before I get into my favorite ways to elaborate on, accessorize, perhaps even…

Kamala Puligandla —

Jun 20, 2020

Asian American

black lives matter

politics + activism

Showing Up For Black People Is a Duty, Not a Transaction

Real commitment to Black lives requires us to consider why we’re fighting and for whom. It’s time we ask ourselves: if our liberation weren’t intertwined, if your well-being weren’t tied…

xoai pham —

Jun 11, 2020

Asian American

netflix

tv reviews

As a Queer South Asian, “Never Have I Ever” Been So Let Down

The reason I didn’t like “Never Have I Ever” wasn’t because I didn’t feel seen. It’s because Mindy Kaling and I are clearly looking at the same world, but Kaling…

himani —

Jun 10, 2020

Asian American

black lives matter

politics + activism

Asian Communities Must Desert the American Empire and Protect Black Lives

We have been drafted to protect white institutions that come at the cost of Black lives. We have been named a “model minority” to convince us that we’ve been saved…

xoai pham —

May 29, 2020

AAPI Heritage Month

Asian American

Sal Tran cooking their mom's recipe of braised fish.

identity

Lost and Found in the Fish Sauce: How I Cooked My Way Back Home

Through my mother’s recipes, I’m reminded of the resilience that flows in our blood. Instead of disconnecting from my body to survive, I nurtured it. Like me, cooking is hella…

Sal Tran —

May 21, 2020

AAPI Heritage Month

Asian American

identity

Stepping Out Of Silence

When love is a matter of desperation, how do you even begin to know what it is you desire? It doesn’t matter what shape love takes. Or does it?

himani —

May 12, 2020

Asian American

netflix

movie features

Six Queer Asian Artists on “The Half of It” and the Future of Queer Asian Cinema

Alice Wu’s “The Half of It” has been for out less than a week, and it’s already become a classic. We brought together some of Autostraddle’s queer and trans Asian…

The Speakeasy —

May 6, 2020

AAPI Heritage Month

Asian American

identity

Four Transracial Asian Adoptees on Body, Place, Family, and Race

I believe my queerness makes my Asian-ness and my adoptee-ness stronger. I am more myself when I hold all these truths together than when I try to compartmentalize them.

KaeLyn —

May 5, 2020

AAPI Heritage Month

Asian American

collage of photos of kamala puligandla's family, main image is toddler Kamala, posing with a strawberry in her hand, being held by her maternal grandfather. Autostraddle APIA Heritage Month

first person

The Illusion Of Safety

I don’t want to be caught parading around in last generation’s false sense of security. I’m kicking off Autostraddle’s first Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Heritage month by exploring the…

Kamala Puligandla —

May 1, 2020