Queer Joy in Conversation

Queer Joy in Conversation Playlist

Queer Joy in Conversation: Dr. Su Pak & Sung Park

Dr. Su Yon Pak and Mudang Sung Park share the story of how they met, the philosophies that guide their work and identity, and how seemingly ordinary people—which both Su and Sung insist they are—leave legacies of hope and perseverance for the generations that follow.

Queer Joy in Conversation: Emmett, Andrea, & Ahri

Emmett, Andrea, and Ahri sit down for a conversation on family and joy, as well as their journeys in finding—and making—them. They begin their story in 2017, which Ahri and Andrea describe as a hectic but fulfilling year when their family began to come together. Andrea and Emmett had met through their work in trans advocacy in Texas, with Ahri occasionally accompanying Emmett to the state Capitol in Austin.

Queer Joy in Conversation: HA:N UMC

Rev. Sulkiro Song, pastor of HA:N UMC, joins congregants Lia and Paul in a conversation about their faith, their experiences with the Korean American church, and their journeys in navigating what can often feel like an interstitial space between queer identity and Christianity.

Queer Joy in Conversation: The Bailar Family

Schuyler Bailar, an activist, entrepreneur, and swimmer who made history as the first transgender man to openly compete in Division I swimming, sits down with parents Terry Hong and Gregor Bailar in a conversation about queer advocacy, identity, and growth.

Queer Joy in Conversation: The Son Family

Diana Son, TV writer, producer, showrunner, and playwright, sits down with her three sons—Nate, Dash, and Wilder—for a conversation on family, love, and joy. Together, they reflect on Diana’s relationship with her partner Casey, and how that journey has intersected with their own growth as Korean American children of a queer parent.

Queer Joy in Conversaton: Sammy & Jiwon

Sammy and Jiwon first crossed paths in Brooklyn nightlife, leaving deep impressions on one another: radiant confidence, an ability to light up a room, and joy that was infectious.

Queer Joy in Conversation: The Son Family

When Diana asks her sons how their friends react to meeting Casey, the responses are strikingly casual. Nate recalls that his friends never really remarked on it, while Dash shares with a laugh that his friends think his mom is “iconic” for being openly queer. Wilder notes that, within their circles in New York, the idea of a family structured differently from the traditional nuclear model is hardly unusual—friends and peers have already been socialized to embrace diverse family structures. What might have been considered controversial or difficult in past generations now feels natural and even celebrated.

Diana admits she has long felt grateful for her children’s ease with these conversations. For her, openly sharing her joy has also been about offering a counter-narrative to her own Korean American community—“not an evil thing, not a disruptive thing, not an unholy thing, but a joyful thing.” Her sons echo this sentiment, describing how meaningful it has been to witness their mother’s happiness and to be included in that journey. As Wilder puts it, “Mom has gone through a big change, and we get to be a part of that thing that is bringing her joy.”

For Diana, one of the greatest affirmations is hearing her children say, simply, that she seems happy. For Nate, Dash, and Wilder, the lesson has been equally profound: relationships can take many forms, traditions can evolve, and family—at its core—is about growing and loving together.

By inviting her children into these conversations, Diana has modeled that queer joy is not solitary but communal, radiating outward to reshape what family means across generations.

🌈 Queer Joy In Conversation invites audiences to sit in on intimate, interpersonal interviews with folks from the Korean American queer and trans community as they reflect upon the unique and shared journeys of finding queer joy in their lives. The second part to KAS’ Queer Joy series, this project aims to highlight the diverse, dynamic, and intersecting identities of the Korean American community; destigmatizing conversations around sexuality and gender. ❤️

Funding for this special Legacy Project series was made possible by The Reva and David Logan Foundation.

2nd gen LGBTQIA Queer Joy in Conversation