As a communications intern, I’m often working behind the scenes of AJSOCAL work, encouraging our online audiences to vote and engage, supporting the organization’s queer and trans policy portfolio, and highlighting our organization’s events. Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in our work on the ground, and seeing our community come together for such an important cause has been unforgettable.
October 27th‘s Drag Me to the Polls event was a rewarding culmination of the power behind all the campaigns I worked on from behind the scenes. The event was brought to life and emceed by drag queens Miss Shu Mai and Bibi Discoteca, and included a special performance by Calypso Jete Balmain. DJ’ed by ThatFlyPinay and DJ Miu, attendees were able to gather for a night of dance, celebration, and collective action. They were even able to enjoy a photobooth, courtesy of Furious Photographers. Drag Me to the Polls was made possible in partnership with Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), Translatina Coalition (TLC), Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE), the Los Angeles Blade, and the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA).
It was a night filled with joy, laughter, music, dance, and community. At the heart of it all was the collective power of the LGBTQ+ vote and a shared commitment to ensuring our voices are heard at the ballot box.
Drag Me to the Polls was held at Mattie WeHo’s in West Hollywood, an LGBTQ+ enclave in Los Angeles County that is home to LGBTQ+ bars, small businesses, and different community events. In light of the frightening and hateful oppression the AAPI community and LGBTQ+ communities continue to face, AJSOCAL’s LA Regional Policy Advocate, Jeff DeGuia, opened the event, speaking to the critical solidarity between LGBTQ+ and AAPI communities, especially in support of the queer and trans Asian Pacific Islander (QTAPI) community.
AJSOCAL’s CEO, Dahni Tsbuoi, shared a powerful reminder about the current threat of ICE raids, anti-trans legislation, immigration restrictions tearing through our communities, and the power of our collective voice.
“This is about pushing it…we’re doing it with joy.” – Dahni Tsuboi, CEO of AJSOCAL.
In that spirit, the event took a lively turn as hosts Miss Shu Mai and Bibi Discoteca made their introductions and hyped up the crowd for a march to the polls. Led by Damiana Cano of TLC, we proudly marched down to the ballot box at the West Hollywood library, waving pride flags and with our vote-by-mail ballots in hand. Our lively group cast their ballots with style, dancing over to the ballot box as we all cheered on.
The march was followed by speeches from co-hosting orgs SIPA, CAUSE, and NQAPIA with messages of advocating for inclusion of our QTAPI community members, amplifying the need to ensure we’re uplifting everyone in our AAPI community. As Maria Valendez from SIPA shared in her speech, part of this work requires reflection and participation including conversations challenging the homophobia and transphobia we often see in the community/Asian American community. This moment of the night reminded us that we must remain brave and strong in our support of the QTAPI community, even if that means going out of your comfort zone to grow awareness and build bridges.
The highlight of the event was, of course, the drag show performances from Miss Shu Mai, Bibi Discoteca, and Calypso Jete Balmain. The performances were stellar, and seeing the energetic involvement of the crowd truly solidified the concept that joy is resistance. Miss Shu Mai and Bibi delivered a dynamic duo performance, shifting between dancing together and moving around the crowd. The crowd work was carried on by Calypso, who wowed the audience with her dance moves and stage presence. As attendees laughed, danced, and interacted with the drag performers, a powerful sense of community filled the room, which was a perfect follow-up after casting their ballots.
The night was closed by poignant words from Jeff DeGuia and Bee Curiel from TLC. Though the event was centered around voting, their remarks clarified that voting is only one way we can advocate for change in our community. They also reminded the attendees that there are many ways we can be involved including supporting mutual aid efforts and participating in a rally or protest. In the last moments of the night, Jeff reflected on the roots of queer and trans movements, paying respect to the trans women and femmes of color who were the true trailblazers and reminded us of who we owe our deep gratitude to.
Taking my work out from behind my screen and being a part of a community in action reaffirmed my commitment to the work AJSOCAL and all our amazing partners do. Now, more than ever, I am excited to make my voice heard and advocate for my community within this election and beyond.
