Hey API Equality – Northern California family! Over the last three years, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to meet and get to know so many of you, because you dared to tell your stories. I wanted to be brave today too, and share with you what I love most about working at APIENC.

During undergrad, I had a difficult time finding LGBTQ API mentors, and I saw that my peers had the same problem. While I understood how important it was for students to build deep and meaningful relationships with community organizations, I often felt unsure about how to do this. So when I joined APIENC’s staff, I immediately tried to figure out how we could leverage our resources to address this. I envisioned a community space where young LGBTQ API’s could:

bring their full selves every day, never having to choose one part of their identity over another
apply innovative strategies to create change and learn organizing skills
share their stories and empower others to tell theirs
dare to be uncomfortable, grow, and establish something collectively
build deep and profound relationships with other LGBTQ API’s, and
provide substantial leadership for our organization and the LGBTQ API Movement

While we did not have secured funding, we moved forward with it because we knew that this was important. In three years, this internship has transformed our organization and the work we do. Twelve young folks breathed life and love into our programs. They started the “Reel” Q&A, a digital storytelling project about LGBTQ APIs. They re-imagined what political action could look like by initiating our first Flash Mob. They made our organization more representative and accountable to the communities we serve. They traveled across the country to lead workshops and build movement with other LGBTQ API leaders and activists. They made our office feel like home.

In order to make sure that we can build and expand on this critical leadership development program, we need help. Today, we are kicking off our four-week fundraising campaign to raise the$7,000 that would go to stipends, materials, and staff support. Will you support our leadership development by investing $40 for the fourth year of our internship program this summer?

Thank you for helping us continue this important work. Any amount counts and I have the utmost faith that our community can help us reach our goal.

Click here to donate online.

Thank you.

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Join us THIS WEDNESDAY, April 10, for two exciting events!

At API Equality – Northern California, our work boils down to keeping our communities connected, safe, and empowered so that we can live free from discrimination, violence, and isolation. That’s why we’re doing what we can to make sure that comprehensive immigration reform passes this year.

Last week, we teamed up with our friends from Chinese for Affirmative Action, the Asian Law Caucus, Filipino Community Center, Asian Prisoners Support Network and the Interfaith Coalition at a press conference with the API Board of Supervisors to highlight the importance of broad, inclusive, and humane immigration reform for the API community.

This Wednesday, April 10, we’ll be participating in the National Day of Action calling on President Obama and Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform. We’ll meet in Chinatown (Portsmouth Square) at 2:15pm, where API advocates will kick off with a bilingual rally and then march to Senator Feinstein’s office to join the entire San Francisco rally at 3 pm. Join us in raising your voice for immigration reform! RSVP by emailing tnguyen@caasf.org.

But wait! There’s more..

Later in the evening at 6:30pm, we’ll be holding our first Spring Community Kick-Off! This will be a chance to make friends, share ideas, and find out ways to get more involved. Our work is only possible because of you, and it’s time for us to get together. Join us on Wednesday at 6:30pm. RSVP here.

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Breakthrough Conversations KICK-OFF Social!

Happy 2013, Breakthrough leaders!

As a statewide coalition, we tracked over 900 conversations thus far. There is much to be proud of and even more to look forward to. With that in mind:

We invite YOU to join us for a “Breakthrough Kick-Off Social” on Thursday, Feb 07, 2013. No need to feel guilty if you have not been as active as you would have liked since your first training This will be a great opportunity to check in and share conversations with other Breakthrough partners in a fun and informal environment. You also may get some great ideas on how to stimulate conversations in the new year.

You are welcome to bring a dessert or a beverage of your choice to share. Dinner and childcare are on us! Advance registration is required by Feb 01. RSVP today by clicking here or by visiting www.ourfamily.org.

Please contact renata@ourfamily.org, chris@eqca.org, or tnguyen@caasf.org if you have any questions. We look forward to catching up with you and kicking-off another year of powerful conversations with friends and family!

Warmly,

Our Family Coalition, Equality California, and API Equality Northern California

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We’ve uploaded new VIDEOS in our VIDEO section. Also featured on Huffingtonpost:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/20/asian-pacific-islander-equality-lgbt-donations_n_2295105.html#slide=more266609

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December 19th, 2012

If you need some financial support to attend the Asian American and Pacific Islander Institute at Creating Change in January, 2013, fill out this scholarship app:

Asian American and Pacific Islander Institute at Creating Change

See you in Atlanta, Georgia!

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Election Day is Tuesday, November 6th!

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API EQUALITY – NORCAL BENEFIT 2012

Where: Somar Bar on 1727 Telegraph Avenue Oakland, CA 94612
When: October 25th, 6-9pm

Come eat, drink, dance, mingle and express your love with our awesome supporters. We’ll have prizes and surprises all throughout the night. CLICK below to RSVP!