Queer Joy In Conversation invites audiences to sit in on intimate, interpersonal interviews with folks from the Korean American queer and trans community as they reflect upon the unique and shared journeys of finding queer joy in their lives. The second part to Korean American Story’s Queer Joy series aims to highlight the diverse, dynamic, and intersecting identities of the Korean American community by destigmatizing conversations around sexuality and gender.
Funding for this special Legacy Project series was made possible by the Reva and David Logan Foundation.
Dr. Su Yon Pak and Mudang Sung Park reflect on their shared journey as queer Korean American elders—connecting over spirituality, care, and the quiet courage of living authentically across generations.
Emmett, Andrea, and Ahri reflect on how joy grounds their family and their work. From Emmett’s advocacy in Texas to their shared commitment to authenticity and love, their story reveals the strength that comes from living truthfully.
At HA:N UMC, a queer-affirming Korean American church, Rev. Sulkiro Song, Lia, and Paul reflect on faith, identity, and belonging—and how healing and joy emerge when queerness and faith can coexist.
As the first openly trans NCAA Division I men’s athlete, Schuyler Bailar reflects with his parents on their family’s journey through change, love, and pride. Their conversation shows how true support can transform challenges into joy.
Showrunner and writer Diana Son sits with her three sons to share how their family embraced change and found acceptance together. Their story reveals the power of love across generations and the beauty of queer family.
Sammy and Jiwon share how their bond grew from nights out in the Korean American nightlife scene into a friendship rooted in love, safety, and belonging—showing the beauty of queer connection and chosen family.
Andrea Hong Marra (she/her), often known as Andy, is a trans activist and executive director of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF). From an early age, she knew who she was as a Korean American and person of color.
Mudang Sung Park (he/him) was born in Seoul, Korea, and immigrated to the Ridgewood/Bushwick area with his family when he was young. Growing up, they were the only Korean family—or East Asian family, for that matter—for blocks around, and although Sung tried his best to reproduce the joys of his Korean childhood from within New York, his new environment slowly changed aspects of his personality.
Vanilla Honey (she/they) is a queer architect and community organizer based in New York. Growing up on Long Island, Honey was never taught Korean by their mother, but they connected with their family and other Koreans through humor and playfulness.
Alexander Chee (he/him) is a bestselling author, essayist, and Professor of English and Creative Writing at Dartmouth College. Born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, to a white American mother and Korean father, Chee's journey is a tale woven with humor and wit.
Sulkiro Song (she/they) is a queer, asexual, and aromantic pastor based in Virginia. Born in Seoul, Korea, to a family of ministers, their path seemed clear: carry on the family line and become a pastor.
Sammy Kim (they/them) is a multifaceted individual: a queer artist, writer, healer, sex worker, community organizer, caregiver, and friend. From a young age, Sammy took on a caregiving role when their mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, moving in with relatives as her condition progressed.