The Advancing Justice Conference is an annual national civil rights and social justice conference, expected to draw several hundred individuals from across the country. The conference aims to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders in one place to address a broad range of issues facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. It serves as a unique forum where researchers, advocates, direct service providers and other leaders can meet face-to-face, talk about their common challenges and find ways to work collaboratively.

Taking place over two days, the conference covers a variety of issues including: immigration reform and enforcement, immigrant integration, human rights, civil rights and national security, health care, Census 2010, redistricting, low-wage workers, hate crimes, and LGBT rights. It also includes presentations on corporate and foundation fundraising, new media, community organizing, board and commission participation, capacity building, and intergroup collaboration.

When: Tuesday, October 27th – 28th

Where: 1625 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115

For more information, visit the website or the facebook page.

Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map]. As a light dinner is provided at ALL of our meetings, RSVP is required. This meeting will be held at 7 PM on Wednesday, October 26, 2011.

Led by Co-Chairs Alex H. Fukui and Ezra Evangelista, the Faith Committee works to engage API Christian and Buddhist congregations. Please send questions and RSVPs to Brian Nguyen.

Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map]. As a light dinner is provided at ALL of our meetings, RSVP is required. This meeting will be held at 7 PM on Monday, October 17, 2011.

The Pioneers Project aims to document the oral history of API LGBT pioneering activists though both traditional and new media. Please send questions and RSVPs to Brian Nguyen.

Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map]. As a light dinner is provided at ALL of our meetings, RSVP is required. This meeting will be held at 6:30 PM on Monday, October 17, 2011

Led by co-chairs Yvonne Teruya and Steven Truong, this committee organizes fundraising events (e.g., house parties, Bingo nights, restaurant mixers, etc). Please send questions and RSVPs to Tommy Tseng at tommy@apiequalityla.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:   Eileen Ma
(213) 580-1800
executive director contact form

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Opposition Fails to Qualify Referendum; API Equality-LA Ready to Engage Community in Honest Dialogue

Yesterday, anti-equality advocates failed to submit the required number of signatures to place a referendum for the June 2012 ballot to overturn the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act.

The FAIR Education Act was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown earlier this year. It requires schools to integrate age-appropriate and factual information about historical roles of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and people with disabilities into existing social science instruction.

“Opponents of equality grossly distorted the intent and the effect of the FAIR Education Act and perpetuated blatantly false information about LGBT people in their quest to secure signatures for this referendum,” said Eileen Ma, Executive Director of API Equality-LA, “We are ready to engage the Asian American community in an honest dialogue about the importance of giving students a fair education.”

Tawal Panyacosit, Executive Director of API Equality-Northern California, said, “Asian Americans across California are standing up for FAIR Education Act and LGBT people. In the California legislature, all nine Asian American legislators voted to pass this legislation, including Dr. Richard Pan, Mariko Yamada, Fiona Ma, Warren Furutani, Paul Fong, and Mike Eng in the California Assembly, and Ted Lieu, Carol Liu, and Leland Yee in the California Senate[O1] .”

Marsha Aizumi, a Japanese American mother of a transgender son, stated, “Today is a great day for the Asian community. As a mother, I love and completely accept my son.  However, it was very painful to see him struggle for so many years to accept himself.  LGBT people are our colleagues, friends, and family members. The FAIR Education Act helps to dispel stereotypes of LGBT people and ensure that we can be honest with each other about who we love.”

“As a Chinese psychologist, I am concerned by the lack of understanding of LGBT people in our communities,” stated, Terry Gock PhD, “Modern psychology conclusively demonstrates four facts about being LGBT: (1) it is not a disease, (2) it is not unnatural, (3) it cannot be learned, and (4) sexual orientation efforts change can be harmful.”

Kathay Feng, a Chinese American mother, added, “It is shameful that opponents of FAIR Education Act are fanning false fears about LGBT people. As a Chinese mother, I value family unity and social harmony. LGBT people are part of our family and community. The opponent’s lies divide our families and poison our community. Today’s victory shows that the Asian community is standing up for truth and love and joins with all Californians helping to build a safe community and hopeful future for everyone.”

———–

API Equality-LA is committed to working in the Asian and Pacific Islander communities in Greater Los Angeles for the fair treatment of LGBT people and marriage equality through community education and advocacy.

API Equality-LA is working to protect the FAIR Education Act as part of a broad coalition, including Equality California, Gay-Straight Alliance Network, people of faith, labor organizations, LGBT groups, disability rights advocates, racial justice organizations and many more who care about equality.

Additional coverage: Asian Journal, World Journal & US China Press

We’re proud to present Clayton Yeung as our October 2011 Activist of the Month!

· What committee are you involved with in API Equality?
Fundraising (currently). Outreach & Recruitment (previously).

· How and when did you get involved?
2005. Soon after APIELA was founded.

· Why is it important to continue this fight for marriage equality?
Because calling your significant other “partner” is so last year.

· What is one sound that characterizes you?
“zzzz…” I’ve been working 24-7 lately so I’m a bit sleep deprived right now.

· Where are you right now?
My home away from home (aka my office). It’s just missing a bed and a place to shower.

· What is one thing about you that surprises people?
I participated in the AIDS/LifeCyle and rode some 545 miles on a bike from SF to LA…twice.

· Hometown?
I grew up in the Bay Area. San Leandro, specifically.

· Occupation?
Fundraising at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (currently). Not fundraising (next job).

· Heritage?
Chinese. Cantonese to be exact.

· Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook. I almost never use it or read posts, but should find more time to search for embarrassing photos that friends are tagged in.

Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map]. As a light dinner is provided at ALL of our meetings, RSVP is required. This meeting will be held at Tuesday, October 11, 2011 | 6:45 Dinner | 7:00 PM Meeting

Join us for our general coalition meeting! This is a great opportunity to learn about our upcoming work as well as meet other members. Please send questions and RSVPs to Brian Nguyen.