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The SOAS Queer Society introduce the inspiring stories of three Queer activists—Li Maizi, Audre Lorde, and Chi Chia-Wei—who challenged oppression, fought for equality and changed history.

LGBTQ+ History Month is a time to reflect on the struggles and victories of queer individuals who have fought for justice and equality. Throughout history, activists around the world have taken bold steps to challenge discrimination, advocate for human rights, and create spaces for marginalised voices to be heard. In this blog, as members of the SOAS Queer Society, we highlight three incredible queer activists—Li Maizi, Audre Lorde, and Chi Chia-Wei—whose work has had a lasting impact on the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

Li Maizi 

Li Maizi is a lesbian activist from Beijing, China, who has been fighting for women's and queer people's rights. 

In 2015, right before International Women's Day, Li was arrested with four other activists for planning to distribute stickers and flyers bringing attention to the sexual harassment women face on public transport. They then became known as the 'Feminist Five' and were released after worldwide backlash.

During her university studies, Li also set up a Lesbian Community Training Group, which provided support and counselling services for queer women. She also managed the LGBT program at the Beijing Yirenping Centre, which was a grassroots organisation campaigning for human rights. Today, she continues her activism while living in New York with her wife. - Picked by Lina (she/her), SOAS Queer Society member.

Audre Lorde 

Audre Lorde was born in New York City on 18 February, 1934. She was a Black Lesbian Activist who wrote about intersections of racism, sexism, homophobia and classism. She described herself as a “Black, lesbian, feminist, socialist, mother, warrior, poet”. Lorde wrote an incredible collection of essays titled “sister Outsider: essays and Speeches”, in which she discusses the complex intersections of her identity. 

In her essay “the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house", she discusses how mainstream feminism has left behind women of colour and lesbians. She says, “Divide and conquer, in our world, must become define and empower,” which I think is poignant for addressing the intersectional power relations we as queer people are subject to and to ensure Queer empowerment is all-encompassing and not only focused on the most “acceptable” or “normal” queers. - Picked by Naux (they/them), SOAS Queer Society member. 

Chi Chia-Wei 

Born in 1958, Chi Chia-Wei is a gay rights activist in Taiwan who was instrumental in bringing about the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the country. Being the first person to come out as gay on national television in 1986, Chi started a campaign supporting AIDS/HIV patients and raising awareness about safer sex, as well as working as an LGBTQ+ hotline operator. He was arrested for 162 days that same year, accused of being involved in a robbery, but was later freed and pardoned.

He then spent over 20 years fighting for a marriage license so that he and his partner could be married. He was rejected by the courts multiple times, eventually appealing to the Supreme Administrative Court in 2015. Eventually, in 2017, the court ruled that the restriction of marriage was unconstitutional and ruled that same-sex couples would be allowed to marry on or before 24 May 2019. - Picked by Kai (they/he), SOAS Queer Society member. 

The fight for LGBTQ+ rights has been shaped by fearless activists like Li Maizi, Audre Lorde, and Chi Chia-Wei, who have dedicated their lives to justice, equality, and visibility. Their work reminds us that change is possible when individuals challenge oppression and demand a better world. As we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, let us honour their legacies by continuing to advocate for queer rights, amplify marginalised voices, and work towards a more inclusive future for all. 

The views and opinions expressed in SOAS Blogs are solely those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organisation or act as an endorsement. 

Header image credit: Mick De Paola via Unsplash.