Restoried Selves: Autobiographies of Queer Asian-Pacific-American Activists

by Kevin K. Kumashiro (Editor/Contributor)

Restoried Selves: Autobiographies of Queer Asian-Pacific-American Activists presents the first-person accounts of 20 self-identified queer Asian-Pacific Americans-life stories that work against common stereotypes, shattering misconceptions and dispelling misinformation. These autobiographies challenge familial and cultural expectations and values that have traditionally forced queer Asian-Pacific Americans into silent shame because of their sexual orientation. Authors share not only their experiences growing up but also how those experiences led them to become social activists, speaking out against oppression. Many harmful untruths--or "stories"--about queer Asian-Pacific Americans have been repeated so often, they are accepted as fact. Restoried Selves: Autobiographies of Queer Asian-Pacific-American Activists provides a forum for voices often ignored in academic literature to "re-story" themselves, addressing a range of experiences that includes cultural differences and values, conflicts between different generations in a family or between different groups in a community, and difficulties faced in coming out. Those giving voice to their stories through narrative and other writing genres include the transgendered and intersexed, community activists, youths, and parents. The stories told in Restoried Selves: Autobiographies of Queer Asian-Pacific-American Activists reflect on:
* personal experiences—based on country of origin, educational background, religion, gender, and age

* populations served by activism, including the working poor, immigrants, adoptees, youth, women, and families

* different arenas of activism, including schools, governments, social services, and the Internet

* issues targeted by activism, including affirmative action, HIV/AIDS education, mental health, interracial relationships, and sexual violence

* institutions in need of change, including legal, religious, and educational entities

* and much more!

Genres: Queer, LGBT, Nonfiction, Asian American, History, Race, Biography Memoir

Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Restoried Selves offers 17 heartfelt and introspective accounts of queer APIA activists and their struggles. Each author shows how their personal stories inform their activist framework, something I've never seen from a queer APIA perspective in written form. This collection offers a critical eye to topics such as religion, adoptees, multiracial identities. Even the definition of "activism" is broadly defined, whether taking place in the streets, in high schools, universities, abroad, at home or most importantly, within the mind, body and soul. As a queer APA who wants to make a difference in the world, Restoried Selves is indeed a moving, beautiful collection.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It had a variety of essays from various queer api activists. Most of them were well written and helps give insight on the different cultural barriers that we face being a queer person. It was nice also to be able to relate and empathize with the writers being a 1st generation queer womyn of color.

[Ever · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought-provoking