Cecilia Chung

Themes — Activism, Coming Out, Community, East Asian Experience, Mental Health, Transgender

Cecilia Chung is a trans Chinese activist, was born and raised in Hong Kong in the late 60s. She moved to San Francisco in the early 90’s, and found the transgender community. After coming out to her family as transgender in her late 20s, they cut her off and she turned to sex work. She identifies as an immigrant.

Cecilia’s involvement in the LGBTQ API community began in 1988, Cecelia discovered political movements after jumping out of a four story building. In 1989, the Tiananmen Square Massacre propelled Cecilia to use activism and advocacy as an outlet for her anger from internalized discrimination. In 1995, her activism blossomed after being stabbed and subsequently reunited with her family. Cecilia has been involved in HIV/AIDs policy work, and has contributed to the Transgender Discrimination Report conducted by the Human Rights Campaign. Prior to her work in HIV policy, she participated in direct services and was involved with the San Francisco Pride Parade.

First and foremost, I am identifying with the immigrant community. The Asian community and also the transgender community, being a transgender woman myself. In some ways, I think I also relate to the bigger LGBTQ community because I lived many years as a gay man before I transitioned to become my true self.