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What is family? How do you navigate family relationships? What is your chosen family like? MOCA Queer StoryJAM returns after its Pride session with another heartfelt gathering. This storytelling program aims to foster understanding and build bridges across diverse communities by highlighting the voices of queer Asian Americans. This time, we are eager to hear stories about FAMILY, whether it be biological or chosen, from our community. Five LGBTQIA+ Asian American storytellers from different backgrounds will share their personal narratives surrounding family. Following their presentations, we will open the floor for program guests to share their own stories. There will be a sign-up sheet upon check-in, if you’d like to share your stories. We look forward to your participation in a night of meaningful storytelling.

ABOUT Storytellers

Arthur Bramhandtam

Arthur Bramhandtam is a queer Chinese-American swimwear designer and has his Asian-inspired swimwear brand, Tight Tams. Before that, he was a journalist at the intersection of LGBTIQ+ politics, fashion, and pop culture. He’s based in NYC, but spent eight years in Hong Kong working for Time Out as an editor focusing on music, fashion, film, and LGBTIQ+ issues. He’s been published in i-D Vice, Washington Post, Quartz, Dazed and Confused and Another Magazine. Currently, he’s focusing on voguing, having fun and building a life in Bushwick with his husband and boyfriend.

Shan Y. Chuang

Shan Y. Chuang is an accomplished actor, singer, dancer, choreographer and pianist born and raised in Taiwan. Shan was trained in classical ballet, traditional Chinese dance and various Musical Theatre genres. She is a proud graduate of Circle in the Square’s Musical Theater program and is currently a member of Katharine Pettit Creative and LINKED Dance Theatre. Her work explores the world of LGBTQIA+, social justice, and self-discovery through dance movements. IG @shanychuang.

Don Kao

Don Kao, Asian gay man, parent of Amber (now 47), who he raised with his former lover since she was 2, a person living with AIDS (tested + in 1992,  + for 30 years), who grew up with professional, immigrant parents in an overwhelmingly white, blue collar, working class community of 3,500 people in rural Maryland, was the Director of Project Reach, a youth and adult-run, multiracial, multi-gender, community-based counseling, advocacy, anti-discrimination and youth organizing training center in New York City.  An anti-war activist and labor support organizer, Don’s work began over 45 years ago, at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he founded one of the earliest Midwest Asian American student organizations, initiated unionizing efforts resulting in worker control at the Community Store, and worked against the war and for people of color communities – at the end of the Civil Rights movement and the height of the Anti-War, re-emerging Women’s and developing Lesbian and Gay movements.   

Vanity Levain

Vanity LaVain is a NY based drag artist who lives in NJ. She is know for her glamorous outfits and performances that will always ooze elegance!

Guang Xu

Guang Xu is a Korean-Chinese artist who grew up in Yanji, Detroit, and Phoenix. Guang currently lives in NYC. IG @alanismorrisette