API Equality-LA's Response to the "Korean Americans Hate Gay Marriage Most, New Poll Reveals", SF Weekly Article
A recent Field Poll indicated that certain Asian American ethnic groups are more opposed to marriage equality than African Americans or Latino/a Americans. A closer examination of the methodology reveals that while this research oversampled the Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese communities, Filipino/a, Japanese, and other ethnicities were mostly left out, leaving a partial image of the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community. This skewed analysis could send a potentially divisive and polarizing message to the general public similar to the aftermath of Proposition 8, when African Americans were used as scapegoats for its passage. Furthermore, the title of the San Francisco Weekly article, "Koreans Americans Hate Gay Marriage" demonizes an entire ethnic group and is counterproductive to the diligent work that pro-equality activists in the Korean American community have been engaging in post Prop. 8.
The data provided by The Asian Pacific American Legal Center and Binder/Simon in 2009 indicate age, language proficiency, and religiosity as key factors when it comes to API perspectives on marriage equality. The Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Director of API Equality-LA says, "While it is true that most frequent church attendees tend to disapprove of marriage equality, more and more denominations and communities of faith are coming to the realization that the gospel is about inclusion and love, not divisiveness and waging culture wars. Proponents of justice and equality, both religious and secular, need to be vigilant in reaching out across all artificial boundaries and to continue building bridges instead of walls. We desperately need to allocate more resources to educating people of faith and in-language to reach the older immigrant population."
Like other Californians, there has been a tremendous shift from Prop 22 to Prop 8 over the years. Tawal Panyacosit, Director of API Equality Northern California says, "Though it is a far cry from where we'd like it to be, APIs are inching closer to marriage equality as an ideal and a reality in a just world. Our research indicates that the API community represents the highest percentage of moveable voters. We have a tremendous opportunity to change hearts and minds."