We are excited to announce that AJSOCAL hosted its first LGBTQIA+ event this year in partnership with API Equality-LA and Viet Rainbow of Orange County (VROC)!
On June 5th, over 70 attendees joined us in the Lavender District of Sacramento for Jade Jubilee, a drag brunch to celebrate and illuminate the Queer, Trans Asian and Pacific Islander (QTAPI) community. The event was held in the first week of June, at the start of Pride Month and the close of API Heritage Month, to mark the intersectional identities of the QTAPI community.
Attendees had the opportunity to network, learn about the QTAPI community, and enjoy performances by Princess B, Mya Lusion, and Kutie Kulls – three Sacramento-based Drag Queens. In addition to drag performances, Mya Lusion also presented her spoken word poetry for the first time in drag. As she recited poems in Tagalog and about her family and struggles with her intersectional identities, her vulnerability and sincerity emphasized why our advocacy must be inclusive.
We refuse to allow these stories of intersectional identities to be forgotten and ignored any longer. Advocating for the rights and dignity of AAPI communities must include all AAPI community members, including the QTAPI community. We must continue to learn about the unique experiences of those with intersectional identities and become stronger allies beyond Pride Month.
To that end, AJSOCAL drafted and circulated letter outlining the needs and issues the QTAPI community faces in partnership with API Equality-LA, Lavender Phoenix, and VROC. Letters were sent to each member of the API and LGBTQ+ Caucuses, making them all representatives for the QTAPI community. AJSOCAL and VROC had the opportunity to meet with the offices of 8 of the recipients in Sacramento this month. 7 of these offices agreed to continue their partnership with us, to learn about the QTAPI community, and to be more considerate of the intersectional needs of the communities they serve. We look forward to continuing these partnerships, to growing together, and to uplifting the unique needs of intersectional communities.
As part of our work to become authentic allies, AJSOCAL is proud to announce the AAPI Queer Joy initiative. AAPI Queer Joy is characterized by images of cut fruit such as lychee, mango, custard apple, and dragon fruit. Cut fruit has long been an aid to introduce difficult conversations among loved ones. These fruits signify the challenges that we must overcome, and are ready to face, so that all QTAPI community members can live their most authentic and joyous lives. This initiative currently is comprised of the following organizations: Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), API Equality – Los Angeles, Lavender Phoenix, and Viet Rainbow of Orange County (VROC). AAPI Queer Joy is our promise to be allies and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community beyond June 30th, because we know that intersectional identities do not only exist for one month of the year.
Allyship Through Staff Education
For over a year, we have had many partners help us learn what allyship looks like to prepare for the AAPI Queer Joy campaign. A key lesson was the importance of internal education for all staff to understand and apply the role of intersectionality in their work. This year, AJSOCAL has scheduled several staff trainings, such as the Racial Justice Learning Series where we are learning about various aspects of identity, racism, and prejudices and how they influence our perspectives and world structures.
Our policy team hosted a human trafficking training, which discussed how LGBTQ+ individuals are at an elevated risk for being trafficked due to experiencing higher rates of discrimination, less social support, and higher rates of homelessness. Nearly 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+, compared to 7% of the general population.That is why it is critical that our legal and direct services teams are trained to identify and support LGBTQ+ trafficking victims and survivors.
We also look forward to a DEI training series this year where all AJSOCAL staff will learn about the LGBTQ+ community, the QTAPI lived experience, and how to be allies through all our services. These trainings are key building blocks to help us as an organization become better allies. They will provide us with the tools and understanding of how all our services, from ALLIP interpretations to SAFE domestic violence support to immigration legal assistance, serve the LGBTQ+ community. Assuring that LGBTQ+ inclusivity is a part of all our departmental workplans will help us move toward becoming an ally organization.
Jeff Deguia, the LA Regional Advocate, shared that “After eight years with AJSOCAL, it is affirming to see the organization take this very important step. Advocating for and supporting the LGBTQ+ community recognizes our existence as members of the AAPI community – that we are part of both communities, that we are welcome at AJSOCAL, and that AJSOCAL will stand up for all in the AAPI community regardless of who we love, how we live, or how we identify.” As an ally organization our education must never end. Please reach out if you are a member of the QTAPI community, a representative of the QTAPI community, or a fellow LGBTQ+ advocate. to become partners with us and advance AAPI Queer Joy.