Echoes from the in-between: A Decolonial Self-Narrative of an Indigenous LGBTQ+ Individuals Experience in Taiwan

Background and Purpose:

Indigenous LGBTQ+ individuals in Taiwan experience multifaceted marginalization, influenced by systemic racial discrimination and microaggression in mainstream society and heteronormative pressures in Indigenous communities that reflect colonial influence, often internalized without conscious awareness. Drawing upon my lived experiences as an urban-born Amis gay man, this study explores how intersecting identities shape experiences of voicelessness and belonging. Additionally, it explores how Indigenous social work in Taiwan could engage with a decolonial perspective to more fully center the lives and voices of gender-diverse Indigenous people.

Methods:

This research employs a self-narrative methodology, constructing a reflexive archive through memory work and thematic reflections on past experiences, including journal entries and social media posts. The analysis is further enriched by ongoing informal conversations with Indigenous LGBTQ+ peers, which allowed for dynamic perspective shifts. These embodied negotiations reveal the fragmentation of integrated identity that represent daily life under intersecting systems of oppression.

Findings:

The study reveals that, as an Indigenous gay man, I have adopted adaptive strategies—such as behavior-switching, name-changing, and identity segmentation—in response to various forms of exclusion experienced by Indigenous LGBTQ+ individuals. Specific instances included adopting a non-Indigenous alias in gay bars to avoid racial exoticization and modifying voice and body language within Indigenous communities to conceal my sexual identity. While these strategies serve as immediate survival mechanisms, they often come at a cost. We may develop a persistent sense of alertness, shaped by the need for safety and acceptance in unfamiliar environments. Over time, this can lead to a gradual disconnection from one’s cultural and personal identity. However, informal support networks, such as Indigenous LGBTQ+ alliances and digital group chats, emerge as partial yet crucial spaces for emotional expression, identity reconstruction, and resistance to dominant ideologies. These collective sites of resilience offer pathways for reimagining belonging to be Indigenous LGBT+ Individuals.

Conclusion and Implications:

This research contributes to Indigenous-centered knowledge and encourages social work practitioners and scholars to meaningfully engage with the complexity of intersecting identities. A decolonial approach to Indigenous social work should not only advocate for inclusive policies, but also take into account the historical trauma inflicted by settler colonialism, while affirming gender diversity through Indigenous worldviews. A thoughtful and practical step involves fostering a social support system both in-person and through digital platforms—as safer spaces for connection, storytelling, and solidarity. Such efforts are vital not only for enhancing the well-being of Indigenous LGBTQ+ individuals, but also for collectively envisioning more inclusive, respectful, and thriving futures for Indigenous Peoples.