Lily's identity as a Chinese American lesbian brings multiple dimensions to her experiences. The book follows her journey through navigating her identity, both as a Chinese American and as a young lesbian woman. The entire book is rich in themes of self-discovery, identity formation, and the challenges faced by marginalized individuals.

Set against the backdrop of the Nigerian-Biafran War, "Under the Udala Trees" incorporates elements of political unrest and conflict. We get to experience how the war affects the characters' lives and shapes their journeys through life.

Meet Mia Charnelle, one of Q26’s 2023 Photography Workshop Leaders! Covering: Introductory Photography and Product Photography

The Q26 has put together an extensive list of films and TV series written by and/or featuring QTBIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters or themes. These films and TV series will sink into your skin and make a home there. It’ll pull at your heartstrings and make you FEEL in a way that lingers.

There has been an obvious lack of female presenting characters in tv and film. The problem is although more exist on our screens; they have become so superficial, so un-relatable that the women no longer feel like real women.

The LGBTQ Center Long Beach has recently become a sponsor for The Filmmakers Club. The Queer 26 established this program to help up-and-coming artists gain experience in the filmmaking industry. 

“Art comes in many different forms and shapes. Art can help all of us to deal with the difficulties in our lives,” said Carlos Torres, The Center’s Executive Director. 

For anyone seeking unflinching authentic stories, Muhyi Ali is the one to watch. Most known for her award-winning film Undefined: A Muslim-American Musical, Ali brings a refreshing perspective on the overlooked stories of those in POC spaces. She has taken the time today to tell us more about herself and her upcoming project Always in Bloom: Amara. 

Clexacon started in 2017 as an act of rebellion when the writers of The 100 killed off queer icon, Lexa, the year prior. Fans were outraged by yet, another death trope of a queer character in TV and film.

This dearth of racial representation is clear every time a commercial fetishizes non-White bodies, every time a film layers a sepia wash over scenes of lovers south of the American border, and every time a billboard packages cultural appropriation of queer Black culture as “trendy.” We recognize the importance of queer representation, yet we can’t help but ask one another: “Was there no one of color in the room?” Too often, the answer is “No.”