Interview with Fran Yuan

By: Sophie Zhang

Based in Belmont, Fran Yuan advocates for diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellness (DEIW) within her community. She has worked to create safe, supportive spaces for people of all backgrounds. I wanted to interview her to learn more about her work and why it matters.

I first asked how she got involved in the Belmont community and DEIW initiatives. She told me her journey began about 30 years ago, when she joined the Unitarian Church and Belmont Against Racism (BAR), looking for "like-minded people who had an activist spirit." When I asked what drew her to DEIW work specifically, she explained that the Rodney King incident and witnessing racism in her community made her realize, "racist things could happen in Belmont." After her son came out as gay in tenth grade, she founded the Belmont LGBTQ+ Alliance in 2001—which is still active today—and later helped create the Belmont Human Rights Commission in 2004. I then asked her to define what DEIW means in her work and in the Belmont context. She believes DEIW means acknowledging often overlooked differences, like socioeconomic status, and confronting unconscious bias. As an Asian woman, she shared a feeling of being "lumped in with the white people" during discussions about race, saying she sometimes felt invisible. That's why she emphasized the importance of visibility and recognition, noting how public events like the Trans Day of Visibility help people feel seen and valued.

Furthermore, when I asked if there was a specific moment or experience that made her realize the importance of DEIW, she shared that growing up as the daughter of immigrants and being Chinese herself made her more aware of how people are often treated differently based on race, background, or socioeconomic status. This personal experience deepened when she became a parent and had children whom she wanted to protect from issues like bullying. I then asked what she thought Belmont was doing well regarding DEIW and where there might be room for improvement. She said Belmont has various organizations focused on diversity and inclusion, responding that "we're doing relatively well." Still, she emphasized that there's always room for improvement and highlighted the importance of creating safe spaces where people feel comfortable sharing their experiences. I also asked whether she is currently involved with Belmont High School and what kinds of work she's done with the school in the past. She explained that she's not actively involved at the moment, but she has been in previous years. For example, she supported the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) and visited the high school to listen to students' experiences. 

Following that, I asked what she has personally learned from working in this field, and she explained that while leadership is important, it's equally crucial to "listen and be available to everyone" and recognize that leaders don't have all the answers. When I asked about her vision for an inclusive Belmont community, she emphasized the importance of "mixing of ages, people of different races and religions and backgrounds" to build comfort and understanding. She also highlighted the success of community events at the Beech Street Center but acknowledged that there's still room for more people, as "people don't always believe they belong somewhere." To wrap it up, I asked how students like me can help. She encouraged students to "get involved in some of these community groups," participate in events such as the Pride Parade or Black History Month celebrations, and join the Town Day in May to represent and connect with these diverse groups.

Fran's work with DEIW initiatives is inspiring and highlights the importance of promoting inclusivity in Belmont. Her efforts have had a significant impact on the community, helping to create a more supportive environment. Fran's message that "it's important to lead, but it's also important to listen and be available to everyone" demonstrates the value of teamwork, making this interview a crucial reminder of how we can all contribute to positive change.