Thread by @alexanderxliu

It's #AAPIHeritageMonth! While #ItsAnHonorJustToBeAsian, I hope you can forgive me for straight-up bragging about all the Asian artists and activists that I've had the privilege of meeting. (I could never add everyone but I'll try to add this thread every day this month.)

@mayatuttle is a voice actor and drummer extraordinaire. (Check out @thecolourist) I've known her since 2nd grade, and since then she's taught me that if you show up and make art every day, you can go farther than you ever dreamed. Plus, she had a PUPPY PARTY at her wedding.

@mayatuttle @thecolourist @kinglchoi (instagram.com/bukakaydrag) blends drag and activism like no other. In his 5-min lip-synchs, you'll gasp, laugh, cry—and empty your pockets for queer youth and immigrants. And the dramatic reading at his wedding of the 1st Tinder convo with his hubby—ALL THE HAPPY TEARS

@mayatuttle @thecolourist @kinglchoi @ihatejoelkim is a revelation. How could I not fall for a standup who can expertly wield a fiercely intelligent dick joke? I was lucky to interview him about being a #HotAsian—and he's as smart, subversive, and sexy in person as you'd hope.

@_lala_wu_ is building progressive power in state legislatures. As the ED of @Sister_District, she fights for these often-ignored races. But whether it's book bans, LGBTQ/repro rights, and more—these races are on the frontlines of our democracy. (Donate! sisterdistrict.com/strategy)

I've had the honor of traveling the world with filmmaker @brianjemerick—whether it's a 15-second ad or 80-minute feature film, he can shoot and edit a captivating story like no other. I marvel at his positive energy on set and have learned so much about movie-making from him.

I met @FenitN during the 2010 @nlgja student project. Not only do I rely on his reporting to understand politics, health, and science—but also for the courage to call out those who might denigrate a reporter for being queer and/or Asian.

Not only did @kevinwada bless our documentary with his illustrations, but he also bestowed me the honor of some backside brushwork. He's witty beyond belief, charming beyond compare—and he's sex on a stick in all the right ways. (I guess he can draw pretty well too.)

@littlebeancurd is a founding member of the @RiceRockettes—a drag family with serious roots in radical, race-conscious, HIV/AIDS advocacy. A fan of sci-fi and a fountain of spirit—he fills every room with light and joy.

(Oh and he was also on AGT )

Lots of us have strong politics. But most of us don't enter the arena to fight for them. Not @Evan_Low. At 26, he was the youngest gay AAPI mayor. Now he's the chair of @calgbt. At this moment in time, we're so lucky he's on the front lines. (And he represents my hometown!)

@mariwwalker is beauty personified—warm, funny, supportive, and soulful. Her debut feature @SeeYouThenFilm premiered at @sxsw. I'm IN AWE at how it unravels the story—especially around gender transition. It asks if you can ever get closure from trauma—it'll stick with me forever.

I met @sparkle_tho when we closed out @PAAFF—and was blown away. @tho_film follows an asexual Asian American looking for love—it might be the sexiest look at asexuality out there. Vulnerable and velvety, I was taken aback at how singular this vision truly was.

@CristinaBehrens has saved my life in more ways than one. From coming out to clowning around, I owe my happiness to her never ending support. Dissatisfied with the lack of empathy in the financial sector, she now devotes her life to democratizing financial advice at @ManaFLD

The Oscar-nominated #Ascension by #JessicaKingdon blends video art and documentary film into a captivating look at Chinese capitalism. The way this fly-on-the-wall film mirrors our culture is something all Westerners should see. (And the sex doll factory scene…🤌)

@naniliyang broke me in the best way with her debut feature #BeneathTheBanyanTree. A multigenerational movie about cultural miscommunication—multiple storylines weave into a beautiful tale of how we fight to connect. She's supportive, sweet, and sincere—the best kind of artist.

#SelenaYip breathed joy into me at @PAAFF. It’s A LOT to run a film festival—the logistics are nuts. But not only did she put on a fabulous show, she also took special care of the volunteers and community, creating that rare space where vulnerability thrives and spirits sing.

@mavericvu aka Lychee Déjá Vu Minnelli taught me the pure athleticism and artistry of #tucking. As sweet and sexy as he is soulful, he’s also one of the funniest people I’ve met. It’s always a treat to spend time with him — especially on shrooms in a movie theater.

I had the honor of working with cinematographer @411yson a few times on our doc. Sure, she's talented. Yes, she knows the tech. But the calm, cool, confident, creative energy she brings to a set makes you feel like you can do anything with her by your side.

@kyson continually leaves me in awe. From securing sustainable energy in Malawi to scaling philanthropy globally, he's devoted his life to giving back. (Also, as a fashion icon and elite gymnast—how could you not fall madly in love?)

@americanmongrel is one of those programmers you never forget. Her Q&As are intimate and warm, she got George Lucas to dub Star Wars in Navajo, and she dug up my grandmother's Smithsonian records because she wants to highlight early AAPI librarians. We don't deserve her.

Dr. #MiloSantos is truly doing God's work—developing interventions for people most at risk for HIV. When I think about the people making sure every single one of us gets to enjoy the beauty of human sexuality, he's at the top of the list. (Plus, I mean, look at him.)

#BryantTan (aka Level) has the coolest job ever: he's a Burning Man City Planner. He balances how 70K ppl can live in the most radically self-expressed way possible—and not kill themselves in the process. Fiercely intelligent and emotionally astute, his cities are made of dreams.

@annatheaverage is fucking badass. Literally. She's a vibrator engineer changing the way the world gets off. Not only is she helping people understand their orgasms like never before, she's also breaking down cultural shame in the cutest, coolest ways possible.

I cannot say enough about @lioneri. My creative partner in crime—incisive to no end, inventive to no limits—he's that necessary zest to make your tarte au citron sing. To experience his brain is that rare magic that makes life worth living. (Well, maybe I can say enough.)

My brother Dr. #JamesLiu is a wildlife veterinarian saving the world—one turtle at a time. A man who laughs at the impossible, I'm blown away with what he gets away with. An amazing photographer, a tireless champion of the environment, he's been an adventure from the beginning.

Finally, my forever hero, my mom, #LisaLiu. She marches in more Pride parades than me, raises hundreds of thousands for low-income AAPI scholarships, and somehow always has dinner on the table. AND all with zero social media presence. Love you, Mom—you'll always be the standard.

(Alas, I didn’t get to all the AAPIs I wanted to. But next year!)