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We live at the intersection. We are Asian and American. To friends, we may be out; to family, perhaps not. In-betweenness is where the tug-of-war lives—between identities, expectations, and choices. But must we choose?

MOCA Queer StoryJAM returns for another heartfelt gathering. This storytelling program fosters understanding and builds connections across communities by amplifying the voices of queer Asian Americans. This time, we’re exploring IN-BETWEEN—the daily push and pull of navigating multiple identities. Presented in conjunction with MOCA’s special exhibition hapa.me, the program also invites deeper reflection on mixed-race identity.

Through personal narratives, LGBTQ+ Asian American storytellers will offer nuanced perspectives on intersectionality and belonging. Afterward, audience members are invited to share their own stories. Join us for an evening of storytelling, reflection, and connection.

About Storytellers

Mike Modugno (he/him)

My name is Mike. I am of Korean and Italian heritage, was born and raised in the New York City area and have been part of the Queer community since coming out in college. Storytelling is essential to the human experience and the Will Rogers quote on never having met a person he didn’t like resonates with me. I work in project management and enjoy skiing, playing classical piano and cinema.

Pauline Park (she/her)

Pauline Park is chair of the New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy (NYAGRA), which she co-founded in 1998; she led the campaign for the transgender rights law enacted by the New York City Council in 2002 and became the first openly transgender grand marshal of the NYC LGBT Pride March in 2005; as the executive director of Queens Pride House from 2012 to 2015, she was the first trans woman of Asian descent to lead an LGBT community center as executive director in the United States; she also co-founded NYC Queers Against Israeli Apartheid in 2011 and participated in the first U.S. LGBTQ delegation tour of Palestine in 2012; she earned her B.A. at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, her M.Sc. at the London School of Economics & Political Science, and her Ph.D. at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. Learn more at paulinepark.com.

Melody Shih (she/her)

Melody Shih is an animator and DJ from Taiwan who has called New York City home for the past decade. Through animation, she explores the power of visual storytelling to connect emotion and experience, while DJing allows her to express rhythm and energy in a different form. Living in NYC—a city that constantly mirrors and challenges her identity—Melody has uncovered new layers of herself, embracing the in-between spaces where cultures, art forms, and identities intertwine.

Andrew Spranger (he/him)

My name is Drew Spranger! I’m mixed white and Vietnamese and part of the queer community. Ever since I was young, I’ve had to navigate my personal sense of identity with external perception. I grew up in Southern California and moved to New York City just over a year ago to explore and find new communities. I work in civil engineering but enjoy gaming, dancing, and traveling!