You would think shared experiences of discrimination would naturally build empathy and solidarity, yet reality can be more complicated. Even within spaces that promote acceptance and identity, prejudice can still exist, and that contradiction is painful. Being Asian and encountering dismissive comments, stereotypes, or exclusion from some LGBTQ+ individuals creates a sense of isolation that cuts deeper precisely because those spaces are supposed to feel safe and understanding.

The sadness comes not only from the racism itself, but from the broken expectation of mutual respect. When two groups that have both faced social stigma fail to support each other, it highlights how prejudice can persist even among people who know the harm it causes. It leaves you feeling caught between identities, unsure where acceptance truly exists. What should be a shared refuge instead becomes a reminder that empathy is not automatic, and that genuine inclusivity requires conscious effort from everyone, regardless of their own experiences with discrimination.