Dear Friends,
We are thrilled to announce the launch of a three-month arc of programming that focuses on Navigating Our Cultural Identities. This follows our Trans* & Gender Non-Conforming arc of programming earlier this year and continues our 2017 theme: Uplifting Our Communities.
Over the past 27 years, GAPIMNY has created a range of safe spaces for queer and trans* Asian Pacific Islanders (QTAPIs) through initiatives such as Elixir Happy Hour, The Gaysian Diaries, and a record number of members-only events. However, at times we must leave our safe spaces and return to our daily lives, where we encounter people who may be less understanding and accepting of whom we are.
As Asian Pacific Islanders, our cultural identity has a major impact on how we experience the world. Our race, in many cases, is the first thing people notice. In social settings, we have learned to be hypervigilant about how our “foreignness” is perceived. In the workplace, we are often pigeonholed as worker bees who are incapable of holding leadership positions. In our sexual lives, many of us have encountered partners who expect us to be solely submissive. On top of this, we encounter those who intend to hurt us with blatantly discriminatory words and actions. As we overcome these challenges, we must also balance our familial lives and remain true to our core identity.
For those of us who are mixed-race, undocumented, or new Americans, an additional layer of complexity is added. Under the current White House administration, many of our freedoms are being threatened simply due to how we are perceived.
As we close our 2017 theme Uplifting Our Communities, we invite you to join us in exploring how we can become better equipped to navigate our cultural identities and uplift our most vulnerable communities affected by the current state of politics. This arc of programming aims to enhance our confidence and pride in our cultural identities while resisting unjust policies and ideologies that negatively affect our communities. GAPIMNY has never been stronger than it is now, and we have never been more prepared to defend our values, principles, and livelihood.
Some highlights from Navigating Our Cultural Identities will include:
- A revival of political organizing and activism in GAPIMNY
- A workshop on housing rights, race, and gentrification
- A General Meeting on interracial relationships
- An entry in The Gaysian Diaries on religion, race, and identity
- Members-only film screenings with discussions on cultural identity
Please stay tuned to our weekly newsletter for details on upcoming events. And as always, thank you for standing with us to empower queer and trans* API’s to create positive change.
Yours,
Charles Lin
GAPIMNY Co-chair