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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.
Marla-Svenja Liebich, a convicted German far-right extremist formerly known as Sven Liebich, is escorted by Czech prison service to the regional court on May 18. Photo: AFP
Germany

German far-right activist sent to men’s prison despite gender change

Liebich, who was sentenced as a man, legally changed gender after Germany’s Self-Determination Act came into effect in 2024.

Food and Drinks

Granola for breakfast but make it Chinese. An American digs deep into her heritage

Fame and celebrity

The Season’s Yvonne Chapman on choosing acting over a stable career – interview

United States

Faith in US as destination for immigrants fading, AAPI survey finds

Only one-third still see America as a great place for immigrants, while many report changing behaviour under current administration.

The “Asian American Community Heroes” mural in San Francisco features 12 activists, artists and community leaders. Photo: AP
China-Asean relations

Dear You – the Chinese migration film igniting a propaganda debate in Southeast Asia

Some are worried that the Teochew-language drama represents a new, softer era of propaganda targeting the diaspora.

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Fame and celebrity

Everything to know about Jessie Mei Li, star of revenge thriller The Season

The Shadow and Bone star’s rise to fame, from college dropout to sharing the screen with A-listers like Tom Hardy and Anna Taylor-Joy.

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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.

The Pentagon, headquarters of the US military, in Washington. File photo: AP
Fashion

Lu’u Dan x Bruce Lee collab celebrates Asian masculinity

The collection’s launch on May 14 coincides with AAPI Heritage Month and the release of the brand’s fall/winter 2026 collection, All Bets Are Off.

Hong Kong courts

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

Lawsuit alleges school ignored gender identity and subjected student to ‘public humiliation and rebukes’, causing distress and embarrassment.

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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.

Alysa Liu of the United States celebrates after winning the gold medal in women’s single skating at the Winter Olympics in Milan on February 19, 2026. The skater, who is part-white, part-Asian, is among a cohort of “Wasians” including Eileen Gu, Lola Tung, Hudson Williams and Megan Skiendiel who have found themselves in the limelight in 2026. Photo: Reuters
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?

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.

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.

This woman’s mukbang (2024) by Brooklyn-based Korean artist Eunnam Hong shows a mysterious woman with flamboyantly curled hair that appears in much of her work – a woman that is in fact the artist herself, in costume. Photo: Kunning Huang
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.

Artist Florence Lee Yuk-ki (middle), the curator Danson Wong (left) and exhibition producer Jackson Kwong (right) photographed in front of Lee’s 2025 work “Where Sight Sinks into Starlit Eyes”. The work is part of Lee’s solo exhibition “Double Blue” at Hart Haus (Photo: Enid Tsui)
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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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’.

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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.

Hung La of Lu’u Dan at Fashion Asia’s “10 Asian Designers to Watch” exhibition in Hong Kong, in December 2025. Photo: Handout
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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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.

English-Jamaican designer Grace Wales Bonner has made history by being named Hermès’ new creative director of menswear. Photo: Malick Bodian
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.

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.

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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Model Awar Odhiang on the runway for Matthieu Blazy’s spring/summer 2026 women’s ready-to-wear collection show for Chanel during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, on October 6. Photo: Reuters
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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Beth Bourne removes her clothes at the Sept. 18, 2025, Davis Joint Unified School District board meeting in protest of the district’s bathroom and locker room policies. (Davis Joint Unified School District/TNS)
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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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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