As I’m writing this monthly reflection, it coincides with a day that China wishes to forget, but the world should never forget. May the day come when true democracy finds its place there.
Meanwhile, I’m preparing to leave for Japan tomorrow (June 5) for a series of exchange events and talks. Honestly, it’s a bit absurd how my itinerary is still not fully settled… but perhaps that’s just very on-brand for me.
This coming June is shaping up to be a full-on challenge month — international travel, moving, curating events, writing proposals — all happening at once. It’s that classic feeling of being “excited but also terrified” (laughs). But before diving into June’s intensity, let’s take a moment to look back on a vibrant and creative May.
🎨 A Month of Exhibition-Hopping!
With the grand opening of the New Taipei City Art Museum in Yingge, I made several trips there, catching up with local friends and enjoying the newly unveiled space. I also visited both the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei and Taipei Fine Arts Museum — just as they were setting up for new exhibitions, so only certain areas were open. I managed to snap a few sneaky photos — it felt like peeking into the secret gardens of creativity. May truly turned into my personal “art recharge” month.
🎭 Joining the Chrysanthemum Monologue Community Theater Workshop
On May 9, I began participating in a community theater workshop titled Chrysanthemum Monologue, organized by the advocacy group Tongxingzhe Association. To my surprise and delight, the program was initiated by a lesbian couple I’ve known for over a decade!
The workshop invites people from all walks of life to explore their personal stories through performance exercises and guided creative writing — all for free! It will run until September and culminate in a public showcase. I feel incredibly lucky to have gotten a spot and can’t wait to see where this journey leads.
📚 Learning Never Stops
On May 14, I attended the book launch for Pluto, a play written by playwright Chen Hong-Yang. The story follows two junior high students who believe they were born in the wrong bodies, seeking ways to live authentically in a post-apocalyptic world. His writing is both delicate and powerful. My short review was even shared by the publisher — what an honor!
The very next day, I started another learning journey: a long-term curatorial workshop series hosted by the Taoyuan Iron Rose Arts Festival. It’s a free, months-long program led by established industry professionals — running through November. As an artist, I feel truly grateful for opportunities like this.
🔧 One Crazy Day: Double Lectures + My First Workshop Debut!
May 16 was hands-down the most packed day of the month. In the morning, I gave two cybersecurity lectures at a technical college, focusing on digital stalking prevention. In the evening, I led my very first community art workshop at Yonghe Community College!
Titled Redefining the Self: Gender-Inspired Co-Creation, the workshop invited participants to explore how gender influences their lives, then express their experiences through simple crafts, writing, and drawing. I also performed a solo monologue from The Tribe Without a Name — my first-ever live read-through of the play. I was nervous, but the audience’s applause nearly moved me to tears.
Toward the end, I introduced the concept of the Taiwan Transgender Museum. Some participants even offered to contribute their creations to future exhibitions — such trust and support were incredibly heartwarming.
🎬 Drama and the Soul: Watching Perfect Strangers
On May 18, I watched Perfect Strangers, a stage adaptation of the award-winning Italian film, presented by the theater group YaoYen. The play delves into the intersection of technology and human nature, asking: can we ever truly live without secrets? With a tight script and dynamic pacing, the performance constantly pushed the audience into moments of unexpected emotional intensity. It left me reflecting on the fragile boundaries of honesty in relationships.
📖 First Read-Through: Giving Voice to a Dream
On May 28, we held our first read-through session for The Tribe Without a Name. A few friends interested in the project gathered to read the current draft and exchange ideas. Their nuanced interpretations and feedback sparked many new directions for the script.
We’re now looking for more performers and collaborators. If you’re passionate about theater or transgender storytelling, we’d love to have you join us!
🏛️ Taiwan Transgender Museum Is Officially Launched!
On June 1, I officially announced on social media that the Taiwan Museum of Transgender Contemporary Art & History is now open for submissions! Our first open call project, Our Glimmering Stories, invites trans and non-binary creators to contribute artworks that reflect our lives, struggles, and histories.
Since the announcement, I’ve already received messages from people wanting to donate items to the museum’s future collections. I’ll be setting up a more formal submission process soon. I’m so touched by everyone’s generosity!
Someone once asked me, “If a transgender artist creates work critical of the trans movement, would you include it in the museum?” My answer: Yes. Even if I personally disagree with the political stance, such work represents real tension and thought within our community — and that deserves to be archived as part of our collective story.
We’re planning two small preview exhibitions in September and October. I hope they will spark more conversations about the kind of museum we’re building together.
✨ Final Thoughts｜Walking This Creative Path Together
May marked an important transition for me — from observer to active creator. Whether it’s through exhibitions, performances, curatorial workshops, or the launch of the Transgender Museum, each step has been both challenging and fulfilling. And your support is what keeps me going.
Next month, I’ll be participating in Tokyo Pride and a trans rights forum at Meiji University, and I’ll also host a talk in Nakano about transphobic hate speech in Taiwan’s Mandarin-speaking online spaces. I’m already excited — and slightly panicked! (laughs)
Thank you for being here with me. I’ll carry your support with me through every project, every stage, and every new idea. Let me know which project you’re most excited about — I’d love to hear from you.
See you in June! ❤️