Diamond Yao 🌈
@graceofyul.bsky.social
aka 姚蒙恩 | lost 上海人 in Tiohtià:ke (Montréal) | transnational Chinese | she, elle, 她, 伊 | freelance journo, journaliste pigiste EN & FR | #VeryAsian | diamondyao@outlook.com | signal: diamondyao.97 | diamondyao.com
Pinned
Diamond Yao 🌈
@graceofyul.bsky.social
· Nov 23
Bonjour / Hi new followers!
I’m an Montréal-based journalist who covers environmental justice, social justice, diaspora, sustainability, intersectionality, culture, & Asian communities in English et en français.
Here’s what I wrote about recently dans les deux langues: 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
I’m an Montréal-based journalist who covers environmental justice, social justice, diaspora, sustainability, intersectionality, culture, & Asian communities in English et en français.
Here’s what I wrote about recently dans les deux langues: 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
This may get me hate comments, but what is happening right now to many Venezuelans & Venezuelan diaspora trying to talk about recent events is reminiscent of what happens to many Chinese & Chinese diaspora who say “CCP bad, US imperialism & US intervention also bad”.
January 6, 2026 at 3:44 PM
This may get me hate comments, but what is happening right now to many Venezuelans & Venezuelan diaspora trying to talk about recent events is reminiscent of what happens to many Chinese & Chinese diaspora who say “CCP bad, US imperialism & US intervention also bad”.
IF YOU ARE SICK STAY HOME!!! AND IF YOU NEED TO GO OUT WEAR A MASK!!!
It is literally infuriating how now every single time I take public transit I encounter unmasked coughing assholes.
PSA that the flu vaccine is still free for everyone in Quebec with a RAMQ card! I highly suggest you get it!
It is literally infuriating how now every single time I take public transit I encounter unmasked coughing assholes.
PSA that the flu vaccine is still free for everyone in Quebec with a RAMQ card! I highly suggest you get it!
I see so many people coughing in public transit & public spaces & I’m so annoyed.
If you are sick, stay the fuck home. If you absolutely HAVE to go out, please wear a mask & keep your distances from other people as much as possible 😷😷
If you are sick, stay the fuck home. If you absolutely HAVE to go out, please wear a mask & keep your distances from other people as much as possible 😷😷
January 5, 2026 at 7:39 PM
IF YOU ARE SICK STAY HOME!!! AND IF YOU NEED TO GO OUT WEAR A MASK!!!
It is literally infuriating how now every single time I take public transit I encounter unmasked coughing assholes.
PSA that the flu vaccine is still free for everyone in Quebec with a RAMQ card! I highly suggest you get it!
It is literally infuriating how now every single time I take public transit I encounter unmasked coughing assholes.
PSA that the flu vaccine is still free for everyone in Quebec with a RAMQ card! I highly suggest you get it!
I was eating at a Sichuan spot & the table next to me was a white Québécois man on a date with a Chinese woman.
He complained to her about “uncontrolled immigration” & mansplained the whole time while she sat there quietly. At one point he asked her “do you know who Winston Churchill is?”
UGH.
He complained to her about “uncontrolled immigration” & mansplained the whole time while she sat there quietly. At one point he asked her “do you know who Winston Churchill is?”
UGH.
January 4, 2026 at 10:30 PM
I was eating at a Sichuan spot & the table next to me was a white Québécois man on a date with a Chinese woman.
He complained to her about “uncontrolled immigration” & mansplained the whole time while she sat there quietly. At one point he asked her “do you know who Winston Churchill is?”
UGH.
He complained to her about “uncontrolled immigration” & mansplained the whole time while she sat there quietly. At one point he asked her “do you know who Winston Churchill is?”
UGH.
I see so many people coughing in public transit & public spaces & I’m so annoyed.
If you are sick, stay the fuck home. If you absolutely HAVE to go out, please wear a mask & keep your distances from other people as much as possible 😷😷
If you are sick, stay the fuck home. If you absolutely HAVE to go out, please wear a mask & keep your distances from other people as much as possible 😷😷
January 4, 2026 at 9:06 PM
I see so many people coughing in public transit & public spaces & I’m so annoyed.
If you are sick, stay the fuck home. If you absolutely HAVE to go out, please wear a mask & keep your distances from other people as much as possible 😷😷
If you are sick, stay the fuck home. If you absolutely HAVE to go out, please wear a mask & keep your distances from other people as much as possible 😷😷
Reposted by Diamond Yao 🌈
Canada finally reacts, through our foreign affairs minister (not our prime minister).
Really, embarrassingly timid statement when you consider what just happened.
Really, embarrassingly timid statement when you consider what just happened.
Please see my statement on the situation in Venezuela:
January 3, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Canada finally reacts, through our foreign affairs minister (not our prime minister).
Really, embarrassingly timid statement when you consider what just happened.
Really, embarrassingly timid statement when you consider what just happened.
En 2026, je ne veux plus voir de personnes blanches qui ouvrent des commerces (souvent médiocres d’ailleurs!) de matcha, de thé aux perles, de restos asiatiques « fusion » JUSTE parce que la culture asiatique - particulièrement la culture japonaise - est trendy.
Nos cultures ne sont pas à vendre.
Nos cultures ne sont pas à vendre.
January 3, 2026 at 8:21 AM
En 2026, je ne veux plus voir de personnes blanches qui ouvrent des commerces (souvent médiocres d’ailleurs!) de matcha, de thé aux perles, de restos asiatiques « fusion » JUSTE parce que la culture asiatique - particulièrement la culture japonaise - est trendy.
Nos cultures ne sont pas à vendre.
Nos cultures ne sont pas à vendre.
Plus de Kamataki (film de 2005) où un acteur blanc joue un gars mixte blanc-japonais!
Plus de films/séries où un.e blanc.he « sauve » le personnage asiatique de sa culture asiatique suffoquante!
Plus d’orientalisme du genre « l’Asie c’est mystérieux et ancré dans des traditions millénaires »!
Plus de films/séries où un.e blanc.he « sauve » le personnage asiatique de sa culture asiatique suffoquante!
Plus d’orientalisme du genre « l’Asie c’est mystérieux et ancré dans des traditions millénaires »!
En 2026, je veux voir les personnes asiatiques au Québec prendre plus de place dans l’espace public. Je veux voir des représentations asiatiques qui reflètent adéquatement nos diverses réalités sans tomber dans les stéréotypes.
January 3, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Plus de Kamataki (film de 2005) où un acteur blanc joue un gars mixte blanc-japonais!
Plus de films/séries où un.e blanc.he « sauve » le personnage asiatique de sa culture asiatique suffoquante!
Plus d’orientalisme du genre « l’Asie c’est mystérieux et ancré dans des traditions millénaires »!
Plus de films/séries où un.e blanc.he « sauve » le personnage asiatique de sa culture asiatique suffoquante!
Plus d’orientalisme du genre « l’Asie c’est mystérieux et ancré dans des traditions millénaires »!
En 2026, je veux voir les personnes asiatiques au Québec prendre plus de place dans l’espace public. Je veux voir des représentations asiatiques qui reflètent adéquatement nos diverses réalités sans tomber dans les stéréotypes.
January 3, 2026 at 7:56 AM
En 2026, je veux voir les personnes asiatiques au Québec prendre plus de place dans l’espace public. Je veux voir des représentations asiatiques qui reflètent adéquatement nos diverses réalités sans tomber dans les stéréotypes.
For anyone who is wondering about how my learning of Cantonese is going, just know that I am watching a Hong Kong drama that I thought was set in a corporate office…but it was actually set in a hospital.
January 3, 2026 at 2:47 AM
For anyone who is wondering about how my learning of Cantonese is going, just know that I am watching a Hong Kong drama that I thought was set in a corporate office…but it was actually set in a hospital.
Reposted by Diamond Yao 🌈
I don't know who needs to hear this but there is a professional hockey league with lots of gay players!!!
It's called the Professional Women's Hockey League
And they could use your support!
www.thepwhl.com/en/
It's called the Professional Women's Hockey League
And they could use your support!
www.thepwhl.com/en/
PWHL | Home
The Professional Women's Hockey League features the best women's hockey players in the world and is blazing the trail for the future of the sport.
www.thepwhl.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:10 PM
I don't know who needs to hear this but there is a professional hockey league with lots of gay players!!!
It's called the Professional Women's Hockey League
And they could use your support!
www.thepwhl.com/en/
It's called the Professional Women's Hockey League
And they could use your support!
www.thepwhl.com/en/
For 2026, all I ask is for Montreal to keep partying alive.
We already have a frigid winter, worrisome upcoming provincial elections, a dysfunctional healthcare system, a crumbling education system & a housing crisis.
Just let us have a good time. Don’t let gentrifying Karens kill the nightlife.
We already have a frigid winter, worrisome upcoming provincial elections, a dysfunctional healthcare system, a crumbling education system & a housing crisis.
Just let us have a good time. Don’t let gentrifying Karens kill the nightlife.
January 1, 2026 at 8:05 AM
For 2026, all I ask is for Montreal to keep partying alive.
We already have a frigid winter, worrisome upcoming provincial elections, a dysfunctional healthcare system, a crumbling education system & a housing crisis.
Just let us have a good time. Don’t let gentrifying Karens kill the nightlife.
We already have a frigid winter, worrisome upcoming provincial elections, a dysfunctional healthcare system, a crumbling education system & a housing crisis.
Just let us have a good time. Don’t let gentrifying Karens kill the nightlife.
On this NYE I am in mourning because NosThés just announced they are closing down.
Where am I going to get non-powdered Taiwanese oolong bubble tea with zero sugar & oat milk now? Or fresh fruit bubble tea? Or salt & pepper tofu rice?
I am devastated.
Where am I going to get non-powdered Taiwanese oolong bubble tea with zero sugar & oat milk now? Or fresh fruit bubble tea? Or salt & pepper tofu rice?
I am devastated.
January 1, 2026 at 12:43 AM
On this NYE I am in mourning because NosThés just announced they are closing down.
Where am I going to get non-powdered Taiwanese oolong bubble tea with zero sugar & oat milk now? Or fresh fruit bubble tea? Or salt & pepper tofu rice?
I am devastated.
Where am I going to get non-powdered Taiwanese oolong bubble tea with zero sugar & oat milk now? Or fresh fruit bubble tea? Or salt & pepper tofu rice?
I am devastated.
Just watched the Star Wars OG trilogy & sequel trilogy for the 1st time in my life.
I think there should be a Star Wars movie where the empire is defeated for good & all surviving empire collaborators are dragged into intergalactic criminal court to be charged for their crimes against the galaxy.
I think there should be a Star Wars movie where the empire is defeated for good & all surviving empire collaborators are dragged into intergalactic criminal court to be charged for their crimes against the galaxy.
December 29, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Just watched the Star Wars OG trilogy & sequel trilogy for the 1st time in my life.
I think there should be a Star Wars movie where the empire is defeated for good & all surviving empire collaborators are dragged into intergalactic criminal court to be charged for their crimes against the galaxy.
I think there should be a Star Wars movie where the empire is defeated for good & all surviving empire collaborators are dragged into intergalactic criminal court to be charged for their crimes against the galaxy.
I’m glad K-beauty & Asian beauty is getting more mainstream in the West. But folks need to stop buying Botox & fillers from South Korea & injecting themselves at home. It’s dangerous!
Please go to a med spa with licensed professionals! The money you save isn’t worth going to the ER or DYING!
Please go to a med spa with licensed professionals! The money you save isn’t worth going to the ER or DYING!
December 26, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I’m glad K-beauty & Asian beauty is getting more mainstream in the West. But folks need to stop buying Botox & fillers from South Korea & injecting themselves at home. It’s dangerous!
Please go to a med spa with licensed professionals! The money you save isn’t worth going to the ER or DYING!
Please go to a med spa with licensed professionals! The money you save isn’t worth going to the ER or DYING!
Seeing people getting scammed out of over a grand for hair.
Last time I was at the salon, the stylist gave me a cut, bleached & dyed my entire long East Asian black hair a vibrant red, curled it. I was there for 5+ hours. All for less than 500$ - tips & taxes included.
DO NOT PAY 1K+ FOR HAIR!
Last time I was at the salon, the stylist gave me a cut, bleached & dyed my entire long East Asian black hair a vibrant red, curled it. I was there for 5+ hours. All for less than 500$ - tips & taxes included.
DO NOT PAY 1K+ FOR HAIR!
December 26, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Seeing people getting scammed out of over a grand for hair.
Last time I was at the salon, the stylist gave me a cut, bleached & dyed my entire long East Asian black hair a vibrant red, curled it. I was there for 5+ hours. All for less than 500$ - tips & taxes included.
DO NOT PAY 1K+ FOR HAIR!
Last time I was at the salon, the stylist gave me a cut, bleached & dyed my entire long East Asian black hair a vibrant red, curled it. I was there for 5+ hours. All for less than 500$ - tips & taxes included.
DO NOT PAY 1K+ FOR HAIR!
En ce temps des Fêtes, le Douglas a lancé une campagne de financement pour « un monde sans schizophrénie ». Maxence L. Valade, intervenant psychosocial, signe une lettre d’opinion sur pourquoi ce message est capacitiste et stigmatise les personnes schizophrènes.
www.ledevoir.com/opinion/idee...?
www.ledevoir.com/opinion/idee...?
Un monde sans schizophrénie?
On continue d’entretenir le fantasme du psychotique dangereux et dérangeant qu’il vaudrait mieux faire disparaître.
www.ledevoir.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:20 PM
En ce temps des Fêtes, le Douglas a lancé une campagne de financement pour « un monde sans schizophrénie ». Maxence L. Valade, intervenant psychosocial, signe une lettre d’opinion sur pourquoi ce message est capacitiste et stigmatise les personnes schizophrènes.
www.ledevoir.com/opinion/idee...?
www.ledevoir.com/opinion/idee...?
Recently saw Mormon missionaries near East Asian grocery stores, a street full of East Asian/South Asian/Southeast Asian restos and sushi spots.
I feel bad for them. You will never convince East Asians, Southeast Asians or South Asians to convert to a religion where they have to give up tea/chai.
I feel bad for them. You will never convince East Asians, Southeast Asians or South Asians to convert to a religion where they have to give up tea/chai.
December 24, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Recently saw Mormon missionaries near East Asian grocery stores, a street full of East Asian/South Asian/Southeast Asian restos and sushi spots.
I feel bad for them. You will never convince East Asians, Southeast Asians or South Asians to convert to a religion where they have to give up tea/chai.
I feel bad for them. You will never convince East Asians, Southeast Asians or South Asians to convert to a religion where they have to give up tea/chai.
Wild to think that people go to the ER for things that are manageable at home. Most folks I know avoid the ER & its sick folks & 20h wait time unless absolutely necessary. Also wild to tell folks to get the COVID vaccine when it’s 156$ without insurance for most.
montreal.citynews.ca/2025/12/23/q...
montreal.citynews.ca/2025/12/23/q...
Quebec urges self-care and 811 calls to ease pressure on emergency rooms
With emergency rooms under heavy strain and reduced hours at some clinics and pharmacies, Quebec Public Health is reminding residents to consider self-care at home and to call 811 before heading to th...
montreal.citynews.ca
December 24, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Wild to think that people go to the ER for things that are manageable at home. Most folks I know avoid the ER & its sick folks & 20h wait time unless absolutely necessary. Also wild to tell folks to get the COVID vaccine when it’s 156$ without insurance for most.
montreal.citynews.ca/2025/12/23/q...
montreal.citynews.ca/2025/12/23/q...
Montreal’s reputation as an affordable city is in danger. A group called “Robin Hood of the Streets” stole 3000$ of groceries from a Metro to feed the poor. They say they saw an old lady shoplift tuna at Dollarama & someone get arrested for shoplifting a sandwich.
www.instagram.com/p/DSgSze8Edx...
www.instagram.com/p/DSgSze8Edx...
Les Soulèvements du Fleuve - The River's Uprisings on Instagram: "La faim justifie les moyens, lettre des Robins des ruelles 🎄
Nous sommes les Robins des ruelles. Lundi soir, nous avons volé pour 300...
2,396 likes, 77 comments - soulevementsdufleuve on December 20, 2025: "La faim justifie les moyens, lettre des Robins des ruelles 🎄
Nous sommes les Robins des ruelles. Lundi soir, nous avons volé pou...
www.instagram.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Montreal’s reputation as an affordable city is in danger. A group called “Robin Hood of the Streets” stole 3000$ of groceries from a Metro to feed the poor. They say they saw an old lady shoplift tuna at Dollarama & someone get arrested for shoplifting a sandwich.
www.instagram.com/p/DSgSze8Edx...
www.instagram.com/p/DSgSze8Edx...
Fantastic post for the Asian diaspora folks (like me) who have seasonal depression!
If you’re Chinese and have SAD: I find planning a 冬至 party with 汤圆 to be an excellent way to find some joy during this extra dark time of the year! 👇🏼👇🏼
www.instagram.com/p/DSbBlVCEUj...
If you’re Chinese and have SAD: I find planning a 冬至 party with 汤圆 to be an excellent way to find some joy during this extra dark time of the year! 👇🏼👇🏼
www.instagram.com/p/DSbBlVCEUj...
Asian Mental Health Collective on Instagram: "As we reach the winter solstice, the darkest and shortest day of the year, it’s worth naming how winter can affect mental health in real ways.
Seasonal A...
asianmentalhealthcollective on December 18, 2025: "As we reach the winter solstice, the darkest and shortest day of the year, it’s worth naming how winter can affect mental health in real ways.
Seaso...
www.instagram.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Fantastic post for the Asian diaspora folks (like me) who have seasonal depression!
If you’re Chinese and have SAD: I find planning a 冬至 party with 汤圆 to be an excellent way to find some joy during this extra dark time of the year! 👇🏼👇🏼
www.instagram.com/p/DSbBlVCEUj...
If you’re Chinese and have SAD: I find planning a 冬至 party with 汤圆 to be an excellent way to find some joy during this extra dark time of the year! 👇🏼👇🏼
www.instagram.com/p/DSbBlVCEUj...
I really, really need the “Scandinavia is a socialist progressive inclusive peaceful utopia” crowd to read this 👇🏼
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/w...
Finland Apologizes to China, Japan and South Korea for Racist Gesture
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:59 AM
I really, really need the “Scandinavia is a socialist progressive inclusive peaceful utopia” crowd to read this 👇🏼
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/w...
This is my official stance on the “white man tries to speak good Chinese to impress me” issue:
White man speaks fluent Mandarin to me: 🤦🏻♀️🤬🤮
White man speaks fluent Cantonese to me: 😱😳😮
White man speaks fluent Shanghainese to me: 😍😊🥳
White man speaks fluent Mandarin to me: 🤦🏻♀️🤬🤮
White man speaks fluent Cantonese to me: 😱😳😮
White man speaks fluent Shanghainese to me: 😍😊🥳
December 18, 2025 at 3:22 AM
This is my official stance on the “white man tries to speak good Chinese to impress me” issue:
White man speaks fluent Mandarin to me: 🤦🏻♀️🤬🤮
White man speaks fluent Cantonese to me: 😱😳😮
White man speaks fluent Shanghainese to me: 😍😊🥳
White man speaks fluent Mandarin to me: 🤦🏻♀️🤬🤮
White man speaks fluent Cantonese to me: 😱😳😮
White man speaks fluent Shanghainese to me: 😍😊🥳
One thing that I really love about social media is the ongoing construction of collective transnational Chinese identity. Social media allowed me & many others to connect with diaspora Chinese folks from around the world. Now the diaspora can laugh together at popular memes on Chinese social media.
December 18, 2025 at 2:44 AM
One thing that I really love about social media is the ongoing construction of collective transnational Chinese identity. Social media allowed me & many others to connect with diaspora Chinese folks from around the world. Now the diaspora can laugh together at popular memes on Chinese social media.
J’ai vu passer un cours de français anticolonial donné par des personnes maghrébines.
En plus de la grammaire, on y apprend l’histoire des mouvements anticoloniaux dans le monde francophone, l’usage du français comme outil colonisateur.
J’aurais ADORÉ avoir ce cours de français à l’école.
En plus de la grammaire, on y apprend l’histoire des mouvements anticoloniaux dans le monde francophone, l’usage du français comme outil colonisateur.
J’aurais ADORÉ avoir ce cours de français à l’école.
December 17, 2025 at 8:04 PM
J’ai vu passer un cours de français anticolonial donné par des personnes maghrébines.
En plus de la grammaire, on y apprend l’histoire des mouvements anticoloniaux dans le monde francophone, l’usage du français comme outil colonisateur.
J’aurais ADORÉ avoir ce cours de français à l’école.
En plus de la grammaire, on y apprend l’histoire des mouvements anticoloniaux dans le monde francophone, l’usage du français comme outil colonisateur.
J’aurais ADORÉ avoir ce cours de français à l’école.