It’s 2013 so we thought we want to start the week by listing 13 reasons why you should support GAPIMNY by coming out to our Sunday Funday fundraiser this Sunday at Vlada Lounge from 4 – 6 PM!
If you can’t make it on Sunday, make a donation instead:
#1 – GAPIMNY played a lead role in organizing this year’s LGBT contingent for the Manhattan Lunar New Year parade, with approximately 75 marchers. 2013 was the 4th year with a LGBT contingent and GAPIMNY helped continue that tradition.
#2 – GAPIMNY challenged homophobia and transphobia in the Bollywood-themed musical Bunty Berman Presents. Activists from GAPIMNY helped pass out flyers during the musical’s run and was able to meet with producers to talk about the impact of hate violence on our communities. Producers issued a public apology.
#3 – Because GAPIMNY makes sure that queer Asian voices are represented in issues that impact our community! GAPIMNY member Jason Tseng made sure his story was represented at an immigration town hall organized by the MinKwon Center for Community Action.
#4 – Because we’re HOT and we know it!
#5 – I mean, really, where else will you see signs like this?
#6 – We are one of the only few organizations that convene young LGBT API folks in NYC for peer-support groups to help with coming out and dealing with issues of racism and homophobia.
#7 – LGBT organizations receive 0.7% of total foundation money. And LGBT organizations for and by API organizations only get 0.2% of that money. Our work relies on individual donors like you and your money goes directly to our programs.
#8 – Because we help lift the stories of API parents of LGBT folks in languages that our parents understand fully.
#9 – Because we’re supporting LGBT activism abroad. In 2013, we met with college students from Japan to discuss out work. And in 2011, we’ve supported activism in Hong Kong against ex-gay conversion therapy.
#10 – Because we’ve hosted 20 events this year as an all-volunteer organization.
#11 – Our community is a testament to diversity. Community is family and GAPIMNY is like family!
#12 – We’re training folks on how to organize, lead discussions and plan events, free of charge!
#13 – Because being queer taught us to see our connections with other communities. GAPIMNY is a vehicle by which we express solidarity with other marginalized communities and challenge racism, homophobia, transphobia and much more together.
