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Wellness work with the Vietnamese community is personal for Trang and relates to their own journey to self, roots, and home. Trang knew that they were queer from a young age, but they weren’t encouraged to lean into their queerness. When Trang came to the US at the age of 10, the focus was on survival and assimilation to a new country. It was only when they went to college that they found spaces to access and explore their queerness. It was liberating. So, when the time came to graduate, it was hard to face moving back home to the Bay Area. Even though Trang had already “come out” to their parents, Trang’s changing gender expression was not something their parents could accept. Trang was at a crossroads - did they have the courage to show their parents who they are or was it time to take a break from the family? Trang chose the path of courage. In August 2016, Trang brought together a group of queer Vietnamese friends, talented artists and gifted healers to put on a creative showcase for the Vietnamese community focused on highlighting that queerness is not a disease or a “college thing,” but actually that queerness is part of Vietnamese history and people. Through performance art, Trang sent a direct message to their parents, who were in the audience, replaying all the instances that they felt hurt by the judgement of their parents related to their sexual orientation. Trang cried on stage. Trang’s parents also cried. After the performance, a group of Vietnamese elders who Trang had begun building relationships with that year through their work at a community-based organization, went to Trang’s parents and shared how much they love Trang. The next day Trang’s mom shared, “I don’t really care who you love, as long as you are living your life how you want and not hurting anyone, who are people to judge.” This was a life changing moment for Trang. It allowed for greater patience and connection in Trang’s family and deepened Trang’s commitment to intergenerational healing.
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