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TOPIC

Identity

Identity
News, articles and features on the topic of identity with a millennial focus, covering gender, LGBT, race, sexual orientation and equal rights.
The Pentagon, headquarters of the US military, in Washington. File photo: AP
United States

Court blocks US military removing transgender troops for now

Appeals court shields current service members from discharge while leaving wider enlisting restrictions in place.

Fashion

Lu’u Dan x Bruce Lee collab celebrates Asian masculinity

Hong Kong courts

Transgender student sues Hong Kong school over ‘discriminatory’ hair policy

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US-China relations

Many Asian-Americans feel excluded from ‘true’ US identity, survey finds

Half of Americans link national identity to birthplace, but just 23 per cent of Asian-Americans agree, highlighting concerns over belonging and bias.

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A sign at an anti-racism rally. A new survey highlights the ongoing harassment faced by Asian-Americans. Photo: Getty Images
Eileen Gu

The rise of ‘Wasians’ like Alysa Liu and what it means for part-Asian identity

While part-white, part-Asian identity is being celebrated online, some argue these spaces in fact stereotype the communities they represent.

Good Schools Guide

How Hong Kong’s students and educators are reshaping LGBT inclusivity

Support networks like Quarks and QSA are providing support for LGBTQ youth, while helping to enact change within the educational system – but is it enough?

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Art

South Korea’s first major LGBTQ exhibition gives voice to queer artists

‘Spectrosynthesis Seoul’ at Art Sonje Centre signals a step towards acceptance in South Korea’s traditionally rigid and conservative society.

The opening ceremony on March 19. SCMP / Chloe Lung
Art

Painter Eunnam Hong explores identity through haunting self-portraits

The New York-based Korean artist cites filmmakers Wong Kar-wai, John Cassavetes and Hong Sang-soo, and painter Elizabeth Peyton as inspirations.

Art

Sexual fantasy, fairy tales: Hong Kong queer artists challenge norms

Two Hong Kong queer female artists explore fantasy and reality in exhibitions that challenge norms and reflect on identity and migration.

Nepal

Nepal’s LGBTQ community celebrates first transgender woman lawmaker

More than 900,000 people identify as sexual minorities in Nepal, which has some of South Asia’s most progressive laws on LGBTQ rights.

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Bhumika Shrestha, Nepal’s first transgender woman to become a member of parliament, is congratulated by members of the LGBTQ community in Kathmandu on Monday. Photo: EPA
South Korea

#SEAbling: the hashtag uniting Southeast Asia against South Korea

A row over K-pop fan behaviour in Malaysia has spiralled into a bitter regional dispute online, with echoes of the ‘Milk Tea Alliance’.

A meme circulating on social media under the hashtag #SEAbling. Photo: X/sna_zizah17
Icons and Influencers

Designer Hung La shares the inspo behind his ‘bad boy’ brand Lu’u Dan

La’s misspent youth crystallised into a subversive style whose celebrity fans include Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish and Lewis Hamilton.

Chinese culture

The Chinese cowboys challenging narratives of the American Old West

Whether through art or immersion in the rancher lifestyle, these Asian men are redefining what it means to be a cowboy in the American West.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Hudson Williams, who’s stealing hearts as Shane Hollander in Heated Rivalry

He played basketball, aspired to reach the UFC and was a stuntman once – but what did he say about his special chemistry with co-star Connor Storrie?

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Korean-Canadian actor Hudson Williams just got his big break in the Crave original TV series Heated Rivalry. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Celebrity style

How Zohran Mamdani’s style is a nod to the working-class New Yorker

The NYC mayoral candidate just went viral for his clapback against Andrew Cuomo – but he’s also winning hearts with a fashion sense that draws from his roots.

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New York State Representative Zohran Mamdani is running for mayor of New York City in style. Photos: @zohrankmamdani/Instagram, AFP
Hermès

Meet Grace Wales Bonner, the first Black woman to lead a major fashion house

She dressed Lewis Hamilton, Jeff Goldblum and FKA Twigs for this year’s Met Gala, and her first collection is set to debut in January 2027.

Singapore

Singapore doubles down on zero tolerance for identity politics

Speaking in parliament, Minister K Shanmugam and opposition leader Pritam Singh disagreed over a preacher’s support for a WP candidate.

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Fashion

London-based designer Bianca Saunders on her approach to fashion

She won an Andam prize in 2021, has been shortlisted for an LVMH Prize, dressed Usher at the 2023 Met Gala, and now has a look in the Costume Institute at the Met in New York.

London-based designer Bianca Saunders. Photo: Handout
Fame and celebrity

Meet Awar Odhiang, the model who just went viral after a Chanel show

The South Sudanese-Canadian model closed Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel debut show at Paris Fashion Week with a bang – so who is she exactly?

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United States

US woman undresses at school board meeting to protest transgender policies

Anti-LGBTQ activist Beth Bourne stripped down to her bikini over rules allowing students to choose which locker rooms they use.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Katseye’s Lara Raj, the LGBT star in an inspiring new Gap ad

Before she was catapulted to international fame with her girl group, she starred in a campaign with Michelle Obama.

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Lara Raj is turning heads in Gap’s new advert and becoming a role model for other Indian-American girls. Photo: @lararajj/Instagram
Hong Kong culture

Opinion | Hong Kong cannot afford to ignore civil rights of same-sex couples

The government’s bill merely addresses the basic practical needs of same-sex couples. Opposition will harm the city’s economy and reputation.

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Supporters of the same-sex partnership registration bill, wearing masks of monsters to protest against the demonisation and exclusion of same-sex couples, demonstrate outside the Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry, in Admiralty, Hong Kong, on July 28. Photo: Dickson Lee
Style Edit

Style Edit: The Gucci Portrait Series celebrates individual identity

Gucci’s autumn/winter 2025 campaign includes shots by American photographer Catherine Opie that capture the models’ identities.

Comedians and comedy

Joe Wong, Ronny Chieng and the rise of Asian voices in comedy

Asian comedians were once forced to resort to stereotypes to find a platform – but a wave of pioneering stars is changing that.

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Food and Drinks

How Hong Kong’s LGBTQ chefs are feeding something deeper

In a city where traditional fine dining reigns, these chefs are getting creative, from May Chow to Iris Sham.

One of Iris Sham’s dinners exploring food and social injustice. Photo: Iris Sham
Good Schools Guide

Adolescence and masculinity: shaping male roles in a social media-led world

Hong Kong experts discuss the impact of the cyberbullying and misogyny of followers of Andrew Tate, against the wider influences in a society encouraging more nuanced versions of masculinity.

Hit Netflix series Adolescence, featuring Owen Cooper, raises important questions about the shaping of masculine identities at a time when broader gender roles are competing with the rise of the “manosphere”. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

Opinion | Same-sex recognition attests to Hong Kong’s rule of law and vitality

Move to grant same-sex couples rights upholds court ruling and reflects a city cognisant of the right to disagree respectfully.

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Profile

Profile | ‘Why is her Cantonese so good?’ Indian Hongkonger on social media fame

Pranali Gupta, known as New Dellily online, bridges Hong Kong and Indian cultures through her engaging vlogs and clips on social media.

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