Our Families: LGBT Asian and Pacific Islander Stories

[@DyOH-Arnold]

What a wonderful video short. It moved me. As a Korean-American, who struggles with my gay identity, it was sweet to experience the Korean mom accept and value her gay son. It was the first time I heard those words in the Korean language.

[@jackeroo75]

Many don't and that is part of life.

[@alexl0890]

Even after three years, this is the one of the only videos with Korean parents and child talking openly about this issue. I'm so glad this was made. Thank you so much. Maybe I should make one with my mom too.

[@samanthafaith2500]

if you do please let me know I'm trying to find out how to help my local community here in new York

[@hyojinkim8652]

형... you should do♡ I am gay from Germany and love Korean boys

[@jairoherrera4040]

Hi Lee wanna talk?

[@RezwanaAhmed]

John's story so far was the most touching for me. I cried when I saw his tear fall.. that was so unexpected expected in a way I can't really describe but I like how his mom is accepting or trying to be more understand and accepting. That was nice. John, if you ever come across this video and read this, I hope you are doing okay and pray that life is treating you nicely. I hope you're happy!

[@MrYougotcaught]

My goodness, John Joo story really got me crying joyful tears. And for his mom, Helen, what a powerful love of a mother....

[@ObsessedPersonality]

Wow a Korean gay male! I thought I was the only one, thank you very much!

[@hanadul83]

YoursTruly you guys are precious!!!

[@JerjerB]

I feel like Asia itself has gone further than the Asian American community in many ways... Korea (Seoul) is very gay friendly now.

[@GlydeBorealis]

I'm glad that there was a gay korean male, as I am one myself. I came out to my dad recently and so far he isn't taking it very well. It'll take time, but i think I need to show him this video. To show him that he's not alone. I can relate to John so much, down to the religion and his attendance of church. I hope that things are going well for you, John, and everyone else in the video and the comment section as well.

[@jairoherrera4040]

Can I get ur number if u wanna talk?

[@LIAMsoFLY]

John's story made me teary too lol, but I'm glad his mother was reasonable enough to eventually realise that he needed someone. I've heard some of the worst stories from Asians coming out to their parents ...

[@bilcal]

Just ran across this video this morning. It is just as applicable today as it was when it was published. Thanks to all who participated in producing it. All the best!

[@aussie_has_fomo]

Thank you for this much needed video. ❤️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ As a queer Asian watching the part where the mum spoke in Korean & said she chose to accept her son bc there is no other choice had me in tears! 😭 It resonated so much. I also resonated with all the other stories & appreciate you all for sharing. A really powerful video!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@BooksMusicMe17]

"We tend to think that the absence of hostility, or the absence of negativity, is being supportive - but that's not true. That's nothing, that's neutral." This is such an important point. I would have thought that most gay people would have read absence of any comment on LGBT people as that person being unwilling to even speak about it. When I came out to my mother, I wrongly assumed from the fact she didn't say negative things (or positive things, or anything) about LGBT people that she'd take it better than my dad. She actually turned out to be really homophobic. If you're supportive, you have to make that clear, not assume it'll be taken for granted.

[@diskea]

I cried listening to the Korean guys story.

[@drenHURLEY]

The story with the korean mother and side made me cry. Thats exactly how families should be...

[@KitsuneMale]

that korean mom, was beautiful, everything she said was beautiful

[@Isaac10best]

John's story made me teary eyed

[@TheLittlegirl12]

Johns story made me cry.

[@ikevinstar21]

This is such a motivating video. I wish everyone would give out support and tell those who are still in the closet not to be afraid to be who they are

[@adoyzie]

Such amazing stories! Thanks for sharing such beautiful and honest stories and giving all of us another voice.

[@dianasoto5309]

She is a GOOD mom.

[@gypsylake5164]

Very positive and loving messages from individuals and family members. They are correct, family is very important and necessary. With love and acceptance from the whole family then the child, young person can grow in a very healthy and positive way and has the best chance at living a meaningful and fulfilling life. It was good to hear all the loving and positive messages something I never had as a young person and something I definitely needed as any young person does and no less for GLBT youth. The youth definitely need to know they are loved for themselves .

[@NiuLifen0w]

WHY IS PACIFIC ISLANDER IN THE TITLE WHEN THERE ARE NO P.I's HERE?!

[@lavone5541]

Niu Life Korea is a Pacific Asian country.

[@redditstuff5535]

I wonder how John and his mom are doing now

[@Fbleomi]

omg the korean family made me happy cry :(

[@yehrinlee]

I wish my Korean mother was like John's mother. If I told her, I'd be disowned. I have to lie to her about who I am, and she constantly asks me if I found a good guy yet whenever I go home from college. Luckily I'm not that close to her.

[@jasonzhao9641]

Navii Leah same for me but I am not sure if I am gay or not. I’m still exploring myself

[@nuuraabdulkadir3217]

Navii Leah did you really hate your mother

[@MrMale1982]

Oh yeah... Korean olders are strongly against of gay people and being gay. I heard the words of acceptance of homosexuality on Korean at first time too. :-) And it's a little bit weird... :-)))

[@riolab_]

Why am i crying? *sobs*

[@CiaraMochiko]

I hope they both find someone they love :)

[@Fear_the_Nog]

@iRockYurSockss the truth is, she most certainly will. I have American south asian friends whom their fathers officially terminated their legal relationship just because they found out their sons had something as mundane as premarital sex or even more harsh, a non-consummated relationship with someone from a different "caste." If they get that much grief just with the caste system, IN AMERICA, forget about homosexuality.

[@CiaraMochiko]

I mean I hope they all find someone they love

[@Podohama]

@TheDyOH Same here. I couldn't help but have a little breakdown while listening to her.

[@alembess9129]

Thanks for this. It would be nice if you also include a dad who accepts a gay son.

[@pekotunes]

Lovely and heart wrenching video! I wish everyone could all just accept lgtb in our society, I mean it's the 21st century! I'd like to think man has evolved so much from past closed-mindedness. They just want to be happy and accepted like everyone else and there's nothing wrong about that.

[@jackeroo75]

It is best not to say you are gay if you are Asian in America because there is just not enough support system in place for many to deal with this issue.

[@tsesy979]

yes...same here...

[@carlosmiguel911]

great vid. thank you

[@RICHMOND94114]

excellent.

[@ryeducky]

Where's the T? I only see LGB...

[@Oculoustuos]

I love you,man.

[@Dreamer10888]

The brothers look so different.

[@rej524]

@redmagician1000 - uh... then why did you watch this?????

[@Rainey2255]

Aaaawwww, just be yourself, I know how you feel. My dad is the same as your mom. He's traditional Jewish.

[@Bluesmiless]

Insh allah

[@JSKFallenAngel]

+ryeducky Gender and Sexuality are different :)

[@legionnaire4548]

I laugh so hard, there not the only korean's out there who lived on the pacific, My whole family are koreans and lived in Guam and Hawaii for 37 years.

[@TattoosLovers]

Wow they are blessed to have great parents who accept them for what they are not mine lol sad haha

[@geraldcoup1636]

redmagician1000.......then why do u even care to comment here ???

[@hiimain7932]

🤧❤

[@loversarelunatics]

that doesnt even make sense

[@jauyun847]

5:02 I completely disagree. People need to try to behave and think as rationally as possible; there is no extra ... there is no special responsibility that "straight-folk" have that requires them to talk specifically about equality for gays ("queers", whtevr). It is good for human rights and political and social equality that we would tell our children and our neighbors that we espouse and support equality and rational thought. I would much rather have heard my parents say that they were for a G1000 or that they were for approval voting or proportional representation or that they were for free college education than to have heard them say that they are for social equality for gays; we need to think bigger. Living a life of gay-behaviour or straight-behaviour or having identity (whatever it be) or desire (for whomever) is small; and being rational and equitable in all matters social, political, economic and legal is so much bigger, so much more important.

[@Isaac10best]

Stooop.

[@Scifi4life]

Asians don't usually live this lifestyle.