I sit here wondering what it’s worth
All that may be assigned at birth
Stuck in something that must be cursed
Is destiny in reverse
We all wish for a better life
Try to make it to morning light
I sing again to survive
- You can Be You, Margaret Cho
Women have endless ceilings to shatter. Glass or bamboo, man-made barriers attempt to keep us cocooned within the confines of tradition. The status quo suggests that we’re not assertive; we’re hotheaded. We’re not bold but overly prideful. We must be brought down a peg if we're loud and unapologetic. If we’re gentle and feminine, that’s all we’re capable of, inflexible in our ways of being.
Society has historically restricted women from venturing outside their pre-designed boxes, deeming them dangerous and unreliable if they didn’t fit within the strictly drawn margins. But it’s in the depths of danger and uncertainty we’re made most powerful—and Margaret Cho is a force who proves this to be more than true.
Margaret Cho: comedian, actress, and eraser of boundaries
As a Korean woman myself, I was captivated by her ability to challenge outdated gender and race norms and envious of her ability to uplift excluded communities. How does one stand so firm in her truth? How can we all replicate similar actions that knit us together in a time rife with division?
Comedian, actress, and the beloved “Patron Saint of Outsiders,” Cho lives a multidimensional life that refuses forced uniformity. She flexes her comedy on stage, boasts a robust filmography, and releases music powerfully resonant with her story. Truly as versatile as a finely polished Swiss army knife, Cho allows her activism to shine through in everything she does with precision.
Last year, CCWomen interviewed her to learn how one people group elevated her and, in turn, equipped her to advocate for inclusion everywhere.
The resounding power of queer community
Margaret Cho was always immersed in LGBTQ-friendly spaces, whether growing up in her parents' bookstore in a predominantly gay neighborhood or officiating LGBTQ+ weddings after nationwide legalization in 2015. Her 2025 album, Lucky Gift, pays homage to gay icons who’ve come before her, and to future generations worthy of acceptance and celebration.
She notes:
“It was always the LGBTQ+ community supporting me throughout my early days and career until now. They’ve always been there and continue to be there for me. We need to stick together and fight harder than ever, especially with what’s happening. [My community] empowers me in a million ways—through the incredible work of Chase Strangio and Laverne Cox to all kinds of queer voices in social media, to conversations I have with friends…I get inspiration from everywhere.”
Preserving authenticity in the face of conformity
Contrary to age, we never seem to fully escape playground politics. Some of us want to join the larger group playing on the slides, but we’re rejected for various reasons: we’re too tall, too wide, not properly dressed, or don’t have the right friends.
When faced with a lack of belonging, we may feel tempted to shrink into versions of ourselves that fit into an incompatible mold. To build deep, authentic relationships that encourage all parties to come as they are, we need to embrace our skin and naturally attract those who see beauty in every part of us. Boasting a dynamic journey of her own, Cho noted, “[I’ve learned] to be true to myself, trust my heart, and have patience. But also, I strive to be the best.”
The queer community looks at the jungle gym, then finds a soft plot of land to build a better slide—one that welcomes everyone who isn't keen on rolling down a scathing steel surface not designed for their joy. Through laughter, unity, and a brave refusal to conform, they set a clear example of mutual empowerment for one another and adjacent groups in need of communal support and visibility.
So, how do we help build this future?
We recognize our growth and honor the sacrifices that have pushed us forward. We keep ourselves close to the heart of our mission—building an empowered community that welcomes all through its doors—and lead with our stories, encouraging people to forge connections at a human level before anything else.
Togetherness is the only way to move forward, hands intertwined, and chins high. It’s the only way to stay afloat and fly above the noise, refusing erasure at a time that demands it. “We need our allies to hold space for us, see, and hear us. We need to all fight together,” emphasized Cho. “It’s about looking at history to see where we’ve been—and to remember where and what we’ve won.”