Join us! We will discuss our work to engage API Christian and Buddhist congregations and to collaborate with the statewide coalition, California Faith for Equality. A light dinner will be provided, so PLEASE RSVP!

When: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Where: Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) | 3200 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA [Map]

Questions/Comments: Jonipher Kwong & Alex H. Fukui | contact@apiequalityla.org | (323) 860-7348

Please join API Equality-LA for an Op/Ed writing workshop! There are many ways of influencing minds and hearts on Marriage Equality, including writing coming-out stories, discussing how homosexuality is not a choice or talking about why gay and lesbians should have the right to marry. This workshop will teach folks to effectively express their support for Marriage Equality through writing. Beginning and experienced writers are welcome!

When: 2 – 5 PM, Saturday, April 24, 2010

Where: Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT) | 605 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite 610, Los Angeles, CA 90015 | [View on Google Maps]

Questions/Comments: Noel Alumit | noela@apaitonline.org | 213-572-1174

Did you know that all working Americans are required to pay into Social Security, but America’s LGBT seniors are denied vital benefits afforded to others – the very benefits that can make the difference between a stable retirement and a frighteningly uncertain future? On Sunday, April 11, Rock for Equality, a national initiative and rally to demand economic fairness in Social Security benefits for America’s same-sex couples, will be holding a rally, march, and protest demonstration!

Join API Equality-LA to support the equal treatment of all LGBT individuals as well as to ensure the presence of strong API voices in this movement! Folks who come out to march with API Equality-LA for economic fairness will also receive a FREE t-shirt!

When: Sunday, April 11, 2010, 9:30 AM

Where: Please meet us at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Schader Blvd | [View on Google Maps]

Parking: There is street parking available. The Red line also drops you off relatively close to the event.

Shirts: PLEASE wear your API Equality-LA T-shirts! If you do not have one, please message me back ASAP with your size and you will be provided one at the event. We carry unisex (S – XXL) and women’s (S – L).

Questions/Volunteer: Brian Nguyen | contact@apiequalityla.org | (323) 860-7348

When: Saturday, April 10, 2010

Where: Monterey Hills Restaurant, 3700 Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park, CA, 91754 [View on Google Maps]

Contact: Brian Nguyen | contact@apiequalityla.org | (323) 860-7348

Los Angeles (CA) – On April 10, API Equality-LA held a special reception honoring three outstanding women leaders for their efforts in increasing support for marriage equality in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. The second annual Sisters Standing Up For Love event in Monterey Park was hosted by actress and comedienne Amy Hill.

“In the 2008 election, Asian American voters in Los Angeles County demonstrated significant support for marriage equality. Each day, API Equality-LA’s work through our allies and friends — such as our honorees Congresswoman Judy Chu, attorneys Julie Su, and philanthropist Lina Paredes — to win even more support from our community,” said Doreena Wong, API Equality-LA co-chair and one of the evening’s presenters. “Recent victories in the District of Columbia and Mexico City are reminders that we are on the winning side of history.”

Sisters Standing Up For Love proudly honored:

Congresswoman Judy Chu, US Congress, 32nd District, has been a staunch supporter of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues for many years. She has been the go-to elected official in the AAPI community to seek endorsement and to champion LGBT-related rights and issues including HIV/AIDS, human rights and, of course, marriage equality.

Attorney Julie Su is Litigation Director at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) of Southern California, an affiliate of the Washington DC based Asian American Justice Center. She has worked in collaboration with Lambda Legal and API Equality-LA, and assisted in the amicus brief signed by APALC and other civil rights organizations representing communities of color to the California Supreme Court challenging the passage of Proposition 8.

Philanthropist Lina Paredes, former Director of Grantmaking at the Liberty Hill Foundation, serves on the national board of directors of Asian Americans/Pacific islanders in Philanthropy and Funders for LGBT issues. As a board member she helps to advance the strategic positioning of API and queer communities in philanthropy.

Presenters for the evening included noteworthy community activists Wendy Chang (Dwight Stuart Youth Foundation), Karin Wang (Asian Pacific American Bar Association), Mia Yamamoto (Asian Pacific American Women Lawyers’ Alliance), Eileen Ma (Koreatown Immigrant Worker’s Alliance), Genevieve Tan (Barangay), and Michelle Soliman (co-chair of Media/Website committee, API Equality-LA).

This summer API Equality – LA celebrates their fifth anniversary. In 2010, API Equality – LA is tripling their annual budget, expanding staff and plans to reach thousands of AAPI voters with their message of justice, inclusion and hope.