Changing the narrative: Jae Hyun Shim, synchronized swimmer

Jae Hyun Shim is a member of Minnesota’s Subversive Sirens synchronized swim team, which promotes black liberation, equity in swimming, queer visibility and “body positivity.” The team won the gold medal at the Gay Games in Paris last year and performed last month in New York for the International Gay & Lesbian Aquatics Championships. Shim, a Korean American adoptee, identifies as queer and non-binary and prefers they/them pronouns. They spoke of how the group helped Shim feel proud of their identity and included in the sport.

During water month, MPR News is bringing you the voices of three competitive swimmers of color. This is a project in collaboration with the Water Main.