Lily is a 17-year-old Chinese American high school senior living in 1950s San Francisco. She harbors a deep interest in space, rocketry, and science. These dreams clash with the traditional expectations placed upon young women in her community. While striving to be a dutiful daughter, she secretly clips photos of male impersonators and women pilots from magazines. Her discovery of an advertisement for the Telegraph Club sparks a personal realization about her attraction to women.

Kathleen is a white high school senior who shares Lily's advanced math class. She possesses ambitious dreams of becoming a pilot, setting her apart from the domestic goals of her female peers. Observant and confident, she takes a genuine interest in Lily's scientific goals. Having already visited the Telegraph Club, she provides Lily with a vital connection to a wider world.

Shirley is Lily's childhood best friend, a socially aware teenager who embraces traditional femininity. She actively participates in her family's restaurant business and plans to enter the Miss Chinatown pageant to secure her social standing. Protective of her reputation, she monitors local gossip and attempts to guide Lily toward a conventional life with a respectable boy.

Grace is Lily's mother, a trained nurse who works hard to maintain her family's respectability in a prejudiced society. She deeply fears the political and social scrutiny placed upon Chinese Americans during the Red Scare. She strictly controls Lily's wardrobe and behavior, insisting her daughter project the image of a proper, thoroughly Americanized citizen.

Joseph is Lily's father, a medical professional who originally immigrated from Shanghai. He faces severe political pressure when the FBI confiscates his citizenship papers in an attempt to force him to inform on a patient. His quiet refusal to lie or compromise his principles serves as a moral foundation for his household.

Judy is Lily's aunt and an employee at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She represents a rare, tangible example of a woman succeeding in the male-dominated field of science. Her career success and intellectual encouragement make her a vital role model for Lily's ambitions.

Will is a local Chinese American teenager who knows Lily from Chinatown. Polite and socially acceptable to Lily's family, he shows a clear interest in her by inviting her to a picnic and asking her to the fall dance.

Calvin is Will's older brother and a patient of Joseph Hu. He is suspected by the FBI of having ties to a Communist organization, making any association with him socially and politically dangerous in Chinatown.

Tommy is a charismatic male impersonator who performs at the Telegraph Club in North Beach. Dressing in sharp masculine attire, she projects a confident butch identity that immediately captivates Lily. Her performances act as a catalyst for Lily's self-discovery.

Lana is Tommy Andrews's girlfriend and a regular presence at the Telegraph Club. She is a femme lesbian who is welcoming to newcomers and provides a glimpse into the established queer community in San Francisco.

Jean is a high school classmate of Kathleen and Lily. She frequents the Telegraph Club and serves as a cautionary tale for Shirley regarding the dangers of associating with the wrong crowd.

Claire is a woman from San Mateo who visits the Telegraph Club to find a social community. She is friendly but occasionally makes unwittingly ignorant remarks about race when encountering Lily.

Frankie is one of Lily's brothers. He acts as a typical sibling, occasionally getting sick or performing in school plays, representing the normal domestic life Lily goes home to.

Eddie is Lily's other brother. He attends local schools and is attuned to the neighborhood gossip, though he ultimately shows loyalty to his sister regardless of rumors.

Francis is Judy's husband and Lily's uncle. He supports his wife's career and participates in family gatherings, acting as a stable presence in the extended family.