Earlier this month, GAPIMNY and QWAVE learned that the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department hired a “psychiatrist” with deep roots to North American “ex-gay” organization Exodus Ministries, to run a series of workshops for Hong Kong social workers on
“conversion therapy” and how to funnel queer youth to “christian therapists.” Claiming that homosexuality can be cured by “
prayers, counseling, and cold showers,” these quack psychiatrists seek to legitimize what every reputable mental health organization in America has deemed ineffective and dangerous.
We were inspired to learn that queer Hong Kong activists with a group called Rainbow Action mounted a protest of the workshops which garnered international attention. In response, LGBT activist Dan Choi helped mobilize thousands around the world, through a change.org petition, to oppose Hong Kong’s shocking decision to undertake what Rainbow Action calls “the first example of state-sponsored conversion therapy” in the world. GAPIMNY and QWAVE have decided to mobilize and stand in solidarity with our queer siblings in Hong Kong in their struggle to rid their government of state-sponsored homophobia.
GAPIMNY and QWAVE are holding a political action at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade on August 7th. We’re leveraging our relationship with community partners and media outlets to ensure that our Hong Kong siblings know that we stand with them. But in order to stage the best action we can, we’ll need your help to prepare for the event. Come to the event and help make signs, get the talking points, and make preparations for this momentous action.
8pm-10pm
Where: LGBT Community Center
208 W 13th Street,
New York NY
Read Rainbow Action’s press release
hereThis event is open to all
GAPIMNY Co-Sponsors with The Asian American Writers’ Workshop
Queer Border Crossings: Ching-In Chen, Rahul Mehta, Ronaldo Wilson, Kit Yan
Thursday, July 14, 2011, 7pm
Even as New York becomes the largest state to legalize same sex marriage, the queer body remains a point of contention in public policy and literature. In writing the queer body, its desires and representations, literary borders manifest themselves not only as gender, sexuality, and race, but also voice, form, and genre. To discuss queer approaches to writing, we invite Ronaldo Wilson, Rahul Mehta, Kit Yan, and Ching-In Chen to share their work and border-crossings.
Avant-garde poet Ronaldo Wilson will read from Poems of the Black Object, detailing the nitty-gritty of bodily fluids, illicit subcultures, and dream states to critique the objectification of the black queer body. Short story writer Rahul Mehta will take us across continents, uncomfortable family gatherings, and bitter generational rifts to reveal the growing pains of being gay + Indian American in Quarantine. Multi-genre poet Ching-In Chen will play with form and theatrical jazz aesthetics in her latest work. While spoken word artist Kit Yan will render all those things into soulful confessions and laugh-out-loud humor. Don’t miss these readings and performances, followed by a Q+A discussion on queer writing.
Due to the 4th of July holiday weekend, we will hold our monthly Sunday brunch on the second Sunday of the month. You are invited to join GAPIMNY as we top off a month of pride with some dim sum.
Ping’s Seafood Restaurant
22 Mott St. (between Chatham Sq & Worth St), New York, NY
Sunday, July 10, 2011, 1:00pm
Please email rsvp@gapimny.org by Friday, July 8, midnight.
All friends of GAPIMNY are welcome. Hope to see you there!
What an exciting Pride!
On Friday, GAPIMNY members joined trans activists from all over the city by marching in the Audre Lorde Project’s Trans Day of Action. Hundreds gathered in front of city hall in Manhattan to advocate for the rights of and increased visibility for our trans siblings around the world.
On Sunday, GAPIMNY, along with Q-WAVE and AQUA-DC, celebrated the landmark marriage equality legislation in New York by marching together in a unified API contingent in 2011’s Manhattan Pride March. Nearly 50 marchers turned out to support the visibility of queer API people. Marching side by side with us were the fierce Korean Drummers who filled the air the excitement and energy of the momentous day. Never before has GAPIMNY and Q-WAVE shown such a unified and cohesive front. It is clear that we are strongest as one community, united.
GAPIMNY also made headlines in several Chinese-language media, commenting on the NY Marriage vote in Sing Tao Daily and also discussing QAPI people in the Pride March in China Press.
Thank you to everyone who came out to march with us! We had a great turnout of marchers thanks to you. We hope you join us and continue to support the QAPI community by attending the rest of our events throughout the year.
Come march with GAPIMNY and Q-Wave in the NY Manhattan Pride this Sunday, 6/26/11!
If you haven’t marched before, now’s your chance. It’s an amazing experience and we get to show the world that we are indeed part of the greater LGBT community.
We will be showing our true colors along with our lovely posters from last Friday’s Pride Sign-Making Party! If you would like to color coordinate with us, come in red.
We will line up at W 39th St between 6th and 5th Ave by 11am. Please RSVP at rsvp@gapimny.org.
Facebook Event
GAPIMNY and Q-Wave will be marching together at Pride!
Come support Q-Wave & GAPIMNY by making some awesome posters for the 2011 NYC Pride Parade! Meet some fun-loving people! Come show us your writing and drawing skills (or just talking skills)!
Bring your smart slogans
Bring your art class talent
Bring your API pride to support our annual pride prep party!
Friday, June 17, 2011, 7pm - 9pm
CUNY CenterOn 5th Ave between 34th and 35th Streets, Room C197 (in the basement level)
{ All sign-making materials will be provided; however, if you would like to bring your own stuff to share, you are the most welcome! }
Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.
Facebook Event
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March with GAPIMNY and Q-WAVE at this year’s Manhattan Pride Parade!
E-mail rsvp@gapimny.org to let us know that you’ll be marching. The parade is on Sunday, June 26th. We will be sending more details shortly.
GAPIMNY and ALP Invites you to a…
LGBT Asian American Post-Queens Pride Party
Sunday, June 5, 2011
4:00 to 9:00 PM
Jackson Heights, Queens
Before the weekend ends, join us for dinner and drinks.
(It’s real food and yes beer and wine!)
$15 for members / $20 for non-members
All proceeds benefit GAPIMNY and the Audre Lorde Project
Location:
Glenn, Chris, and Malcolm’s Home
34-05 80th Street, Apt. 22
(corner of 34th Ave and 80th St.)
Jackson Heights, Queens
RSVP to gmagpantay@nyc.rr.com
Open to all.
Directions:
Take the # 7 to 82nd St. stop in Queens. Walk down to 80th St. and then north 3 blocks to 34th Ave. Apt. building on the right.
OR
Take the E/F / G/R / V to Jackson Heights/Roosevelt Ave./74th St. stop in Queens. You will be on Roosevelt and 74th St. Cross Roosevelt Ave. (#7 subway tracks above) and walk north 3 blocks to 34th Ave. Make right and walk to 80th St. Apt. building on the right.
Facebook
In honor of Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, GAPIMNY Presents…
Facebook Event
UPDATE:
We were able to film the event for those of us in the community who were unable to attend.
Chronicles of Subversion Video
Also, check out the PowerPoint Presentation accompanying the lecture:
Chronicles of Subversion PowerPoint Presentation
Enjoy!
This year, GAPIMNY is teaming up with our sister organization Q-WAVE during Manhattan’s Pride Parade. As part of our contingent, we’ve recruited Korean drummers from NYU to teach us how to play Korean drums (poongmul) for the parade, which will take place on Sunday, June 26th.
Want to learn how to play Korean drums for Manhattan Pride?
Check out some of the former video clips of our drummers from the 2009 Pride Parade:
http://youtu.be/YeH0BFqkv3k
http://youtu.be/LZH2yFQwzZk
Weekly practices will be starting within the next week. If you do participate, we ask that you be able to attend most if not all the practices we hold as there is a lot to learn in the next two months before Pride. In order to coordinate a location, date and time we are asking that potential participants let us know when they can meet during the week. If you are interested, please email Catherine Kwak at cskwak@nyu.edu the following information by this Friday!
-Name
-Preferred contact email
-What organization(s), if applicable, you’re a part of (APICHA, GAPIMNY, QWave, Binari, NYURI, etc)
-What instruments, if any, you have experience with
-If you own an instrument or if you have extra instruments
-Which nights you are available to practice i.e. Tuesday nights
And if you know of anyone who may be interested, feel free to forward these emails to them as well!
