Join us to help plan the Pioneers Project! The Pioneers Project aims to document the oral history of API LGBT pioneering activists. As a light dinner will be provided, PLEASE RSVP!
When: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Where: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map]
Questions/RSVP: Brian Nguyen | contact@apiequalityla.org
New York – On June 24, 2011, the New York legislature approved marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples–the sixth state to do so. This was the first time a Republican-controlled Senate favored such a legislation. The bill included religious protections that would ensure religious institutions would not be penalized for refusing to perform weddings for gay and lesbian couples.
New York has now reached an Asian/Pacific Islander population of one million. Like California, APIs comprise the fastest growing community in New York City.
“This will positively affect the lives of gay and Asian families in New York,” said The Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, API Equality-LA Director. “Now, we need to bring the focus back to California. The West, which has the largest concentrations of gay and Asian people, need to experience equality and dignity on that same scale.”
“New York is a turning point. As one of the nation’s most populous and most diverse state now supporting marriage equality, it gives hope to Californians who continue to struggle for equality here on the west coast,” added Noel Alumit API Eqaulity-LA Steering Committee Member.
Source: Angry Asian Man, NY TimesNew York – On June 24, 2011, the New York legislature approved marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples–the sixth state to do so. This was the first time a Republican-controlled Senate favored such a legislation. The bill included religious protections that would ensure religious institutions would not be penalized for refusing to perform weddings for gay and lesbian couples.
New York has now reached an Asian/Pacific Islander population of one million. Like California, APIs comprise the fastest growing community in New York City.
“This will positively affect the lives of gay and Asian families in New York,” said The Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, API Equality-LA Director. “Now, we need to bring the focus back to California. The West, which has the largest concentrations of gay and Asian people, need to experience equality and dignity on that same scale.”
“New York is a turning point. As one of the nation’s most populous and most diverse state now supporting marriage equality, it gives hope to Californians who continue to struggle for equality here on the west coast,” added Noel Alumit API Eqaulity-LA Steering Committee Member.
Source: Angry Asian Man, NY Times
Join us! We will discuss our work to engage API Christian and Buddhist congregations. A light dinner will be provided, so PLEASE RSVP!
When: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Where: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map]
Questions/RSVP: Alex H. Fukui & Ezra Evangelista |contact@apiequalityla.org
Join us! We organize fundraising events (e.g., house parties, Bingo nights, restaurant mixers, etc). A light dinner will be provided, soPLEASE RSVP!
When: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | Monday, June 20, 2011
Where: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map]
Questions/RSVP: Yvonne Teruya & Steven Truong |
On June 19th, join LA Fun-Raising and Flash Mob America for an event you’ll never forget! Surprise unsuspecting Angelenos as you and hundreds of flash mobbers burst into a choreographed dance to the shock, confusion, and delight of the crowd. 100% of proceeds from the sale of the flash mob t-shirts will go to the Japanese Red Cross.
When: 11:00AM – 3:30PM | Sunday, June 19, 2011
Where: Undisclosed Location in Los Angeles
Questions/To Participate: For more information, visit their Facebook page
When HIV/AIDS was first diagnosed 30 years ago, it was a death sentence for many, accompanied by stigma and shame. Today, thanks to medical advancements and preventive measures, it is becoming a much more manageable disease. However, there are still indications that HIV/AIDS continues to affect the API community in disproportionate and powerful ways. Come hear Noel Alumit from the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT) speak about the impact of 30 years of AIDS at this month’s General Coalition Meeting. We will also feature interns from China, working with the LA Gay and Lesbian Center this summer.
As always, we will hear exciting reports from the many events API Equality-LA engaged in this past month as well as the buzzing activities of our standing and ad hoc committees.
As we will be serving dinner, PLEASE RSVP NOW.
When: 6:45 PM – 8:00 PM | Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Where: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map]
Questions/RSVP: Brian Nguyen | contact@apiequalityla.org
API Equality-LA is having an excellent PRIDE month. We’re absolutely beaming with pride as we celebrate LA’s first annual LGBT Heritage Month. June was packed full of celebrations. Christopher Street West (CSW), the organization which produces LA’s Gay Pride Parade and Festival in West Hollywood, awarded us with the Connie Norman Award for our work in diverse communities.
The Connie Norman Award recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding achievement in fostering racial, ethnic, religious and gender unity within the LGBT community. This award is named for transsexual Connie Norman, who fought tirelessly for the rights of people with HIV/AIDS.
The first step to making a difference is believing you can. Asian Pacific Islander Equality-Los Angeles (API Equality-LA) is doing more than believing, they are making that difference.
API Equality-LA was founded in 2005 in response to protests against marriage equality by Chinese Christians in the San Gabriel Valley,” said Karin Wang, Vice President of Programs for the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. “API Equality-LA has tirelessly advocated in the Asian/Pacific Islander community for marriage equality and the fair treatment of lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender people.”
API Equality-LA has demonstrated significant impact within the Asian Pacific Islander community. “For example, exit poll data from the 2000 (Prop 22) and 2008 (Prop 
elections show that API voters shifted in favor of marriage equality at a much more rapid pace than the general electorate or other communities of color,” Wang said.
Since 2008, API Equality-LA has raised enough funds to hire an Executive Director and conduct research on messaging to API voters. They have placed op-eds in ethnic newspapers and built relationships through service projects with API churches.
API Equality-LA co-founded Q*POC-LA (Queer People of Color-LA), with Latino Equality Alliance and Jordan Rustin Coalition. Q*POC-LA focuses on communities of color raising the profile of people of color within the LGBT community, uniting API, African American and Latinos LGBT people in a unique collaborative effort.
Christopher Street West is proud to present the Connie Norman Award to API Equality-LA. CSW recognizes their outstanding achievements in its work within various ethnic communities and their efforts to build bridges and gain marriage equality for the entire LGBT community.
The award was presented on Saturday, 4 June 2011, at CSW’s honoree brunch at the Hyatt West Hollywood Hotel. Fellow honorees included comedian Margaret Cho and BravoTV’s Andy Cohen. The event was preceded by a proclamation by LA city mayor Antonio Villaraigosa proclaiming LA’s inaugural LGBT History Month in city council chambers on Friday, 3 June 2011. It was followed immediately by a celebration on the south lawn of LA city hall and on Sunday, 5 June 2011 by a garden party at his official residence, the Getty House. We’ve posted a couple pictures from the festivities and a fun video of one of the many performances from the city hall event. Hit the source link for additional coverage of the events.
Inside the Mayor’s Office: June 2011 video highlighting LGBT Heritage Month
A flash mob dancing to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” in celebration of LGBT Heritage Month at LA city hall’s south lawn.
Source: Christopher Street West, LA Times, FacebookAPI Equality-LA is having an excellent PRIDE month. We’re absolutely beaming with pride as we celebrate LA’s first annual LGBT Heritage Month. June was packed full of celebrations. Christopher Street West (CSW), the organization which produces LA’s Gay Pride Parade and Festival in West Hollywood, awarded us with the Connie Norman Award for our work in diverse communities. The award was presented on Saturday, 4 June 2011, at CSW’s honoree brunch at the Hyatt West Hollywood Hotel. Fellow honorees included comedian Margaret Cho and BravoTV’s Andy Cohen. The event was preceded by a proclamation by LA city mayor Antonio Villaraigosa proclaiming LA’s inaugural LGBT History Month in city council chambers on Friday, 3 June 2011. It was followed immediately by a celebration on the south lawn of LA city hall and on Sunday, 5 June 2011 by a garden party at his official residence, the Getty House. We’ve posted a couple pictures from the festivities and a fun video of one of the many performances from the city hall event. Hit the source link for additional coverage of the events.
Inside the Mayor’s Office: June 2011 video highlighting LGBT Heritage Month
A flash mob dancing to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” in celebration of LGBT Heritage Month at LA city hall’s south lawn.
Source: Christopher Street West, LA Times, Facebook
This year, the LDIR program is celebrating its 20th anniversary of facilitating movement building. Since 1991, LDIR has worked to raise consciousness, promote collaboration and power sharing, and provide practical skills and tools for effective strategies for social change.
In its twentieth year, LDIR is proud to announce the 3rd launch of the LDIRs in Health training program in Los Angeles this fall. LDIRs in Health grew out of LDIR’s commitment to help community leaders support holistic community health by promoting food justice, peace, safety, and inclusive, culturally competent health practices. Through the 6-month LDIRs in Health training program, LDIR supports health advocates in deepening their analysis around the root causes of health disparities within their communities. Participants also develop skills to work collaboratively to create sustainable, community health projects.
Application Due Date: June 13, 2011
To Apply: Online: Click here | Fax: 213-977-7595 | Mail: 1145 Wilshire Blvd., 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Questions: apply@ldir.org
CSW LA Pride Parade!
This year, CSW LA Pride is honoring API Equality-LA with the Connie Norman Award for its work in diverse communities! As a result, API Equality will be marching near the head of the parade AND be riding in a convertible! Please join API Equality-LA who will be marching alongside with other members of the Asian Pacific Islander Pride Council (APIPC) in the LA PRIDE Parade on Sunday morning. We will meet at the traditional APIPC pre-parade breakfast between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The breakfast isCOMPLETELY FREE to paraders and will feature a generous spread of sandwiches, pastries, coffee, juice, and water, as well as an opportunity to meet and mingle with other members of API Equality-LA and APIPC.
The parade will step off at 11:00 a.m. If you miss the breakfast and want to meet us in the staging area, please call Tran Le at (818) 292-6922 after 10:00 a.m. for the location.
Please wear your API Equality-LA t-shirt. Or if you are joining us for the first time, we will provide you with a FREE API EQUALITY-LA SHIRTat the breakfast (Note: To ensure you get a shirt, please email us!). You may also want to bring sunblock and comfortable walking shoes.
When: 9:00 AM, June 12, 2011
Where: David Hong’s house on 1032 N. Ogden Drive, West Hollywood [Map]
Questions/RSVP: Tran Le | contact@apiequalityla.org | (818) 292-6922
CSW Los Angeles Pride Festival!
It’s Pride time again! We will tabling and and marching, so we need volunteers like you! Please email Brian Nguyen to sign up for a shift. We have a limited number of free tickets, so volunteer ASAP!
Saturday shifts:
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
3:30 PM – 7:30 PM
7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Sunday shifts:
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
6:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Please wear your red API Equality-LA t-shirt! If you don’t have one, email Brian Nguyen at contact@apiequalityla.org with your t-shirt size (we carry unisex S-XXL and women’s S-L) and you will be given one for free at the festival.
For more information, please click here to visit the LA Pride website or here to visit the LA Pride Facebook page.
When: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM on Saturday, June 11, 2011 and 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM on Sunday, June 12, 2011
Where: West Hollywood Park | San Vicente Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue [Map]
Parking: Parking will be extremely limited. Suggested parking areas include East of Fairfax, Pacific Design Center, the Kings Road parking structure, and the Beverly Center.
Questions/RSVP: Brian Nguyen | contact@apiequalityla.org
Founding Steering Committee member, Alex Fukui, was recognized in a special ceremony at KCET’s Los Angeles studios on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 as a “Local Hero.” Alex was one of many honored during LGBT Pride Month in KCET’s ongoing celebration of outstanding individuals in our diverse communities. This recognition was based on his many years of service in enriching the lives of Asian-American LGBT. This includes his work with API Equality-LA and the local faith community. API Equality-LA congratulates Alex and all the others being honored this month as KCET’s Local Heroes. Another LGBT API Local Hero honored this month was Karina Samala. Watch the video profile of Alex posted below and check out both, Alex’s and Karina’s, KCET articles in the source link.
Source: KCET, KCETFounding Steering Committee member, Alex Fukui, was recognized in a special ceremony at KCET’s Los Angeles studios on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 as a “Local Hero.” Alex was one of many honored during LGBT Pride Month in KCET’s ongoing celebration of outstanding individuals in our diverse communities. This recognition was based on his many years of service in enriching the lives of Asian-American LGBT. This includes his work with API Equality-LA and the local faith community. API Equality-LA congratulates Alex and all the others being honored this month as KCET’s Local Heroes. Another LGBT API Local Hero honored this month was Karina Samala. Watch the video profile of Alex posted below and check out both, Alex’s and Karina’s, KCET articles in the source link.