One Among Us: a community for East-Asian and East-Asian Canadian trans and gender-diverse people

June 18, 2025

Their memorial page starts with a quote, “Death is not the end of life, but oblivion is.” The group, called One Among Us, serves East-Asian trans communities. Discrimination against trans people causes many to face higher levels of violence and difficulties with mental health than their cisgender counterparts. One Among Us started as a page to memorialize East-Asian trans community members who have passed on.

When director and co-founder Yvette Wu moved to Toronto from China in 2022 to do her PhD, she expanded the group’s webpage into an online support group, filled with illustrated avatars representing members.

“Many of us live on the internet because we don’t know other trans people, or people we share common interests with in real life,” Yvette says. “Someone who is just beginning to transition might find it easier to identify with animated images. It’s not about anonymity. These online identities can feel more safe and like your true self.”

Yvette found The 519 in her search for local organizations with affirming resources. As she also found more East-Asian trans friends in Toronto, she decided to create an in-person component of One Among Us. One of the newest community-led groups to call The 519 home, it started with an evening of musical expression to observe the Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR) and has since become a monthly support group.

Group members enjoy activities like crafts, calligraphy, and socializing. They share resources to help each other get coverage for gender-affirming care or find supportive doctors. “We try to keep our connections online as well because we don’t want to exclude those who don’t have an in-person presence, although some have started online then moved to Toronto once they knew they’d have a welcoming community here!” Yvette says.

We can offer community-led groups space to meet through your generosity. Please consider donating to The 519 at The519.org/donate.