A panel discussing the intersection of sexual orientations and the contribution of Asian-Americans to society is being held today at 6:30 p.m. at Ustler Hall.
LGBT Stories: Queer in Asian America, is co-hosted by Asian Kaleidoscope Month and Pride Student Union.
"I'm transgender. The awkwardness and false stereotypes are constantly around me," said Andy Sun, a 19-year-old economics sophomore.
Sun, of Taiwanese origin, is part of the panel.
Other panel members include Natalie Nguyen, the LGBT Program Assistant at the University of North Florida; Ernie Selorio Jr., the founder of a sexual minority youth group in Jacksonville; and gender rights activist and keynote speaker Pauline Park.
Kristine Straker, the executive programming director for Asian Kaleidoscope Month, said the event was designed to inform people about cultural and family issues members of the LGBTQ community face daily.
"The Asian community is very strict and not accepting of LGBTQ," Straker said. "Putting them together will be very enlightening."
People attending can ask questions after the discussion.
"I want to support everyone out there, and it is really important that they come out," Sun said. "It is a gradual process, and it helps to have people to count on."
