Join us! We write grants to obtain funding for API Equality-LA’s work. We also organize fundraising events (e.g. house parties, Bingo nights, restaurant mixers, etc). A light dinner will be provided, so PLEASE RSVP!

When: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Monday, February 14, 2011

Where: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017 | [View on Google Maps]

Questions/Comments: Yvonne Teruya & Steven Truong | contact@apiequalityla.org

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 | Thursday, February 23, 2011

Where: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 | [View on Google Maps]

Questions/Comments: Alex H. Fukui & Ezra Evangelista | contact@apiequalityla.org

Los Angeles – API Equality-LA is thrilled that the Obama administration has decided to stop defending Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a law enacted 15 years ago that federally defined marriage for the first time as a legal union between a man and a woman.

“This is truly a historic day,” said Reverend Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Executive Director of API Equality-LA, “We are glad the President chose to take leadership on this critical issue and raise the bar of fairness; API Equality-LA wholeheartedly supports the President’s actions today. We hope Congress and our court system choose a similar path toward greater acceptance in our society for all families by repealing DOMA altogether.”

President Obama and the Attorney General agreed that DOMA, signed during the Clinton Era, is unconstitutional, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) will no longer defend DOMA in pending cases before the Second Circuit. In a White House press statement, the President “has concluded that given a number of factors, including a documented history of discrimination, classifications based on sexual orientation should be subject to a more heightened standard of scrutiny.” Attorney General Eric Holder concurs with the President that DOMA is discriminatory toward gay and lesbian people. DOJ will no longer actively defend it, although it will remain parties in the case, continue to represent the interests of the U.S. in the litigation, and allow Congressional members to defend the statute. However, it is significant that the administration will no longer assert the constitutionality of Section 3 of the DOMA.

For a number of years, Marriage Equality USA has organized direct actions on Valentine’s Day mid-day at the offices of City/County Clerks to raise awareness about the importance of securing marriage equality for same-sex couples and their families. This year, a group of same-sex couples will converge on a County office at in East L.A on Monday, February 14, 2011. They will get in line and request marriage licenses guerrilla theatre-style. The couples will also make themselves available to speak with the press about why the freedom to marry is important to them. API Equality-LA can also provide talking points and a brief training if desired.

When: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Monday, February 14, 2011

Where: 4716 E Cesar E Chavez Avenue, LA 90022 | [View on Google Maps]

Questions/Comments: Brian Nguyen | contact@apiequalityla.org | http://equalityevents.ning

 For a number of years, Marriage Equality USA has organized direct actions on Valentine’s Day mid-day at the offices of City/County Clerks to raise awareness about the importance of securing marriage equality for same-sex couples and their families. This year, a group of same-sex couples will converge on a County office at in East L.A on Monday, February 14, 2011. They will get in line and request marriage licenses guerrilla theatre-style. The couples will also make themselves available to speak with the press about why the freedom to marry is important to them. API Equality-LA can also provide talking points and a brief training if desired.

When: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Monday, February 14, 2011

Where: 4716 E Cesar E Chavez Avenue, LA 90022 | [View on Google Maps]

Questions/Comments: Brian Nguyen | contact@apiequalityla.org | http://equalityevents.ning

Thanks to all for coming out and marching in the Lunar New Year Parade. At 125 people, we were the largest contingent at the parade. Way to go!

This month, our guest speaker will be Ari Gutierrez, Co-founder and Co-Chair of the Latino Equality Alliance (LEA), our sister organization in the Latino community. Ari is also a founder and former Executive Vice President of HonorPac, a political action committee that advocates for Latino LGBT empowerment through endorsements of progressive candidates and legislation. Ari will discuss LEA’s current organizing efforts and how our two communities can better collaborate.

We will also have updates from our committees, including a report on our lunar new year parade contingent and banquet.

As we will be serving dinner, PLEASE RSVP NOW.

When: 6:45 PM (Dinner), 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Meeting) | Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Where: The Community Room, Asian Pacific American Legal Center 1145 Wilshire Blvd., 1st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017 | [View on Google Maps] | (ROOF parking accessible on Lucas Ave.)

Questions/Comments: contact@apiequalityla.org | (213) 290-5535

Last year was a historic event for the Vietnamese LGBTIQQ people to march in Little Saigon Tet Parade in Orange County. While organizers faced opposition from many groups, they are determined to march again for equality!

If you are interested in marching and spreading the love, especially if you are a religious leader (preacher, monk, nun, priest, shaman, etc.), please contact organizer Gina Masequesmay. They also need Vietnamese and other API allies to march (opposition often frame this as a “Western disease/problem”).

Let’s make this second march a response to the religious-based bigotry of last year’s boycott. Like last time, let love lead and guide folks in this parade and spread more words of love at the forum that takes place afterward!

When: 9:00 AM | Saturday, February 5, 2011

Where: Orange County, CA

Questions/Comments: Gina Masequesmay

Join this movement-building Day Long Institute for all Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) LGBT people. Network with LGBT AAPI activists from around the country. We will discuss concrete ways to overcome barriers, leverage resources, and create templates for more effective LGBTQ AAPI organizing.

Learn strategies to advocate for public policy issues, increase visibility, and counter homophobia and transgenderphobia in the larger AAPI community and racism within larger LGBT movements. Gain an understanding of Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander queer histories in the U.S. and the connections with current movements.

This Institute is intended only for Asian American (including South Asian and Southeast Asian) and Pacific Islander attendees.

When: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Thursday, February 3, 2011

Where: Hilton Minneapolis | 1001 Marquette Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN | [View on Google Maps]

Questions/Comments: Ben De Guzman

[PLEASE NOTE: RSVP'ing here does NOT guarantee your participation for the Institute. Registration is ONLY available through the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force at www.creatingchange.org.]