LGBTQ+ Community
Learn more about AJSOCAL’s QTAPI initiative, addressing the needs and uplifting the stories of the community while advocating for policy change that will help the LGBTQ+ community thrive.
AAPI Queer Joy
AAPI Queer Joy is AJSOCAL’s initiative to become more inclusive and representative of the AAPI community by recognizing the intersectionality of the AAPI and LGBTQ+ communities. In partnership with a coalition of Queer Trans Asian Pacific Islander (QTAPI)-serving organizations across California, we identify and highlight the specific needs of the QTAPI community. Based on the coalition’s guidance, AJSOCAL advocates for inclusive policies that empower the QTAPI community and allow all to thrive.
AAPI Queer Joy is characterized by images of cut fruit, which has long been an aid to introduce difficult conversations. These fruits on a platter 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 campaign is AJSOCAL’s promise to be ongoing allies and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.
As an allied 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 to advance AAPI Queer Joy.
Bill Passed For the Queer, Trans Asian Pacific Islander (QTAPI) Community in 2025
AJSOCAL is happy to share that two of our AAPI Queer Joy bill priorities have been signed into law by Governor Newsom. The passage of AB 678 (Lee) will create more culturally competent and inclusive housing services. The passage of AB 1487 (Addis) will financially support community partners to create and continue programs that will support mental health services, workforce development, and other programs that will support the lives and futures of the LGBTQ+ community.
The AAPI Queer Joy coalition was established in 2024 and is a coalition of 4 organizations including AJSOCAL, these partners are Viet Rainbow of Orange County, Lavender Phoenix, and Moonbow ensuring that queer and trans API (QTAPI) voices and needs are included in statewide policy advocacy efforts.
Congrats to the authors and co-sponsors for all the leadership on behalf of LGBTQ+ Californians this legislative season. We look forward to achieving more legislative progress in 2026.
Although SB 418 was not signed into law, AJSOCAL will continue to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. SB 418 (Menjivar) focused on healthcare nondiscrimination, strengthening protections so no one is denied care based on gender identity, intersex traits, or sexual orientation.
Current work
Charging into the year of the Fire Horse with Ferocity, Boldness, & Joy
We capped our exciting week of Lunar New Year celebrations by marching in the Golden Dragon Parade in Chinatown this past Saturday!
It was an incredible fun community event, led by our partner API Rainbow Coalition and PFlag! Together with over 70 folks, we marched in the LGBTQ+ contingent with partners like APAIT, Okaeri, and SIPA and many more.
We welcomed in the year of the Fire Horse with ferocity, boldness, and joy as we waved our pride flags, walked with our trans-flag dragon and dance in the streets of Chinatown. In the current times of relentless attacks on our QTAPI community, a celebration of our diversity and joy was empowering and freeing.
AJSOCAL's LA Regional Policy Advocate, Jeff Deguia, featured in The LA Blade!
The Blade sat down with AAPI Queer Joy’s leader Jeff Deguia to reflect on his activism goals in the new year.
In a previous feature, the Blade learned more about Deguia’s activism journey, from his Filipino American upbringing in Chicago to his exuberant, inclusive leadership in Los Angeles. We also interviewed Lan Le, a fellow AJSOCAL policy advocate and AAPI Queer Joy leader who is passionate about supporting other queer refugees and domestic violence survivors.
SOCAL Asian Pacific American Leaders Denounce Federal Attacks on Transgender Rights
Asian Pacific American elected officials and community groups unite to oppose White House Executive Orders on gender-affirming healthcare for minors, bans on transgender people serving in the military and other efforts to undermine civil rights protections for transgender and gender non-conforming people.
Today, the API Rainbow Coalition (ARC) released a public letter signed by Asian Pacific American elected officials and organizations that begins, “We, the undersigned Asian Pacific American (APA) community leaders and elected officials, call for the full inclusion and celebration of trans and nonbinary people. Although they are not discussed often enough in the Asian media and our broader community, we must acknowledge and lift up the stories of Asian Pacific American trans people. They are our children, siblings, neighbors, co-workers and friends.”
Celebrating AJSOCAL’s Annual 2025 Jade Jubilee
In these current times, we know how crucial it is to celebrate moments of joy and progress, especially with the increased anti-trans rhetoric and bills being introduced across the country. This year, we hold close the roots of Pride and remember its start as a protest; a way to vocalize and resist being erased and forgotten. So, this year’s Jade Jubilee was extra special.
On June 17, 2025, the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Queer Joy Coalition hosted its second annual Jade Jubilee at the Flamingo House in Sacramento, bringing together community leaders, advocates, and legislators for an evening rooted in celebration and progress. The evening honored the brilliance of queer and trans Asian & Pacific Islander (QTAPI) communities while uplifting the coalition’s first official legislative bill package.
Find LGBTQ+ Education & Community Resources Below↓
PAST WORK
2025 LGBTQ+ Advocacy Work
- A blog by Jeffrey DeGuia, AJSOCAL’s LA Regional Policy Advocate, about how showing up in the community is how we build power.
2024 LGBTQ+ Advocacy Work
Together with the data from our QTAPI partners, API Equality – LA, Lavender Phoenix and Viet Rainbow of Orange County, authored a joint letter to members of the California Asian American Pacific Islander caucus and LGBTQ+ Caucus highlighting the specific needs of the QTAPI community.
Read more through our fact sheet here and the joint letter here.
