Dear API Equality-LA Volunteers and Friends,
 Three years ago, I joined an incredible group of people doing amazing work in the API community to help defeat Prop 8. It was inspiring to see the strength of the relationships developed among this coalition and disappointing to witness the passing of a divisive constitutional amendment. Nonetheless, we picked up the pieces and did our best to move forward. Since then, API Equality-LA has grown in leaps and bounds. We doubled and tripled our budget, hired new staff members and developed new leadership. We are now the largest API LGBT organization in the country! I was proud to count myself first as a Steering Committee member and co-chair of the Faith Community and eventually as the Founding Director of API Equality-LA.
I could go on about the projects and programs that our amazing volunteers and staff have implemented, but at the end of the day, it's about the hearts that have been touched and lives transformed because we exist. It's about empowering API LGBT people and making allies out of adversaries. It is about education and increasing cultural sensitivity within our diverse communities. All this because of your diligence and perseverance. You are my hero! I am also indebted to Brian Nguyen, who has worked long hours and has motivated so many to join the movement. We are blessed with so many talented young people who are discovering the wonderful world of activism! Brian is officially our longest tenured Community Organizer and has done an incredible job keeping things together behind the scenes.
I will miss working for API Equality-LA, but know you are in good hands with Eileen Ma as my successor and Tommy Tseng as the new Program Manager. I also know that we will still be a part of the same equality movement wherever I go and we will keep working to make sure we achieve our vision of a society that truly celebrates the loves and lives of all people. Aloha means hello and goodbye. Until we meet again, may we continue to strive for justice and equality.
Aloha, 
Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong
Director, API Equality-LA
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07/10/2011
Tales of the Waria Outfest Premiere
Halfway around the world in Makassar, Indonesia, a community of transwomen called the "Waria" - Wanita (Woman) + Pria (Man) - has long been an accepted part of the cultural fabric. However, because physical transition is frowned upon in the world's most populous Muslim nation, they are forced to walk between worlds. In this inspiring documentary, we see how four of these women manage to do that with their heads held high. Please join us for the screening as well as the pre-screening reception in the Redcat Lobby, hosted in collaboration with the API Pride Council.
When: Sunday, July 10, 2011 | Pre-screening Reception: 6:30 PM | Screening: 8:00 PM
Where: Redcat | 631 W. 2nd St., Downtown Los Angeles, Walt Disney Concert Hall
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased for $13 online here. Pride Council Organizations receive a $1 discount.
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07/11/2011:
Public Education Committee Meeting
Join us! This committee conducts speaker trainings (sometimes in multiple languages) to enable our volunteers to address the media, API organizations, conferences, classes, and churches. The committee also plans educational events to empower our supporters with information to build support for marriage equality among their friends, families, and constituents. A light dinner will be provided, so PLEASE RSVP!
When: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM | Monday, July 11th, 2011 Where: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map] Questions/RSVP: Greg Matsunami & Lori Lopez | contact@apiequalityla.org
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07/12/2011
General Coalition Meeting
Join us for our general coalition meeting! This is a great opportunity to learn about our upcoming work as well as meet other members. As a light dinner will be provided, PLEASE RSVP!
When: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Tuesday, July 14th, 2011 Where: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map] Questions/RSVP: Brian Nguyen | contact@apiequalityla.org
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07/18/2011
Fundraising Committee Meeting
Join us! We organize fundraising events (e.g., house parties, Bingo nights, restaurant mixers, etc). A light dinner will be provided, so PLEASE RSVP!
When: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Monday, June 20, 2011
Where: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map] Questions/RSVP: Yvonne Teruya & Steven Truong | contact@apiequalityla.org
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07/27/2011
Faith Committee Meeting
Join us! We will discuss our work to engage API Christian and Buddhist congregations. A light dinner will be provided, so PLEASE RSVP!
When: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Wednesday, June 22, 2011 Where: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map] Questions/RSVP: Alex H. Fukui & Ezra Evangelista | contact@apiequalityla.org
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08/02/2011
Pioneers Project Planning Meeting
Join us to help plan the Pioneers Project! The Pioneers Project aims to document the oral history of API LGBT pioneering activists. As a light dinner will be provided, PLEASE RSVP!
When: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Tuesday, August 2, 2011 Where: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map] Questions/RSVP: Brian Nguyen | contact@apiequalityla.org
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08/03/2011:
Media & Website Committee Meeting
Join us! This committee develops relationships with Asian journalists, places articles in ethnic media, and produces content for our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages. A light dinner will be provided so PLEASE RSVP!
When: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Where: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map]
Questions/RSVP: Noel Alumit & Alan Chan |
contact@apiequalityla.org
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08/04/2011:
Outreach & Recruitment Committee Meeting
Join us! This committee engages in planning our participation in parades as well our presence and outreach at community events, festivals, protests, demonstrations, etc. It is also responsible for reaching out to new community leaders, organizations, and celebrities. A light dinner will be provided, so PLEASE RSVP!
When: 7:00 - 9:00 PM | Thursday, August 4, 2011 Where: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) | 1145 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017 [Map] Questions/RSVP: Mimi Saidane | contact@apiequalityla.org
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Upcoming Community Events
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07/29/2011 - 07/31/2011
Los Angeles Trans Leadership Academy
The Los Angeles Trans Leadership Academy is the premier training ground for trans* community members in LA. Workshops will occur one weekend a month from July-December of 2011, with lots of opportunities to put your new skills to work in between!
Gender Justice LA wants trans leadership to be at the center of Social Justice Movements, and to build the power of trans people. Trans leaders from around the country will be investing in YOU as a mover and a shaker! Learn how to build powerful relationships with other trans* people, how to talk to strangers about trans* issues, and how to change the world for the better!
Website: LATransLeadership.org
When: Friday, July 29, 2011 - Sunday, July 31, 2011
Where: 6815 W Willoughby, Suite 203, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Questions: Ashley@GenderJusticeLA.org ; (323) 960 - 9279
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Internship / Employment Opportunities
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| External Affairs Coordinator
Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles
Job Summary
The Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC) is a membership organization dedicated to the promotion of free and community clinics as providers of quality comprehensive health care for the medically underserved people of LA County. CCALAC seeks an External Affairs Coordinator who will be responsible for various public affairs activities related to policy and advocacy. This includes assistance with media engagement, event planning, and publications for distribution. The position will also assist with advocacy efforts including the implementation of CCALAC's policy and advocacy plan.
Title: External Affairs Coordinator
Location: 1055 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1400
Questions/Application Submission: Please email chundley@ccalac.org.
For more information, please click here.
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| External Healthcare Policy Analyst
Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles
Job Summary
The Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC) is a membership organization dedicated to the promotion of free and community clinics as providers of quality comprehensive health care for the medically underserved people of LA County. CCALAC seeks a policy analyst who will play a key role in helping the CCALAC and its Government & External Affairs team research, develop and drive a policy agenda to improve the position of community clinics on local/state/federal levels. The candidate will communicate with elected officials, county and state agencies, association members and the general public.
Title: External Affairs Coordinator
Location: 1055 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1400
Questions/Application Submission: Please email chundley@ccalac.org.
For more information, please click here.
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| Database and Volunteer Manager
Equality California (EQCA) is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Database and Volunteer Manager
Job Summary
The Database and Volunteer Manager reports to the Director of Finance and Administration and has the primary responsibility for maintaining the accuracy of our volunteer and donor database as well as managing our volunteer intern program. Database duties include producing regular, daily, weekly and monthly reports of donors and income, producing periodic specialized reports for use by other departments within the organization, and monitoring pledge collections. In addition, EQCA maintains an ongoing volunteer internship program for which this position will be responsible which includes recruitment and training of volunteers, creating and customizing internship plans, evaluating and supervising interns. Position will also be required to attend periodic community and fundraising events.
Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights advocacy organization in California. Over the past decade, Equality California has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for LGBT individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil rights protections in the nation. Equality California has passed over 60 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, electoral work, public education and community empowerment.
Qualified candidates must possess:
ˇ Excellent computer skills including facility with MS Office, particularly MS Word and Excel.
ˇ At least 1 year experience with database management is required, experience with Blackbaud Sphere highly desirable.
ˇ Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact diplomatically with diverse groups, including high level donors and volunteers.
ˇ A strong attention to detail and be prepared to demonstrate this skill through past experience.
ˇ The ability to work independently, and as part of a team, setting and coordinating priorities with other departments that often have competing priorities.
ˇ Excellent problem solving skills and the ability to handle adversity in a calm, flexible, and gracious manner.
Title: Database and Volunteer Manager
Reports to: Director of Finance Administration
Location: Equality California Office - West Hollywood
Status: Full benefits include paid vacation and sick time, health, dental, vision, short and long term disability and a retirement plan among others.
Salary: Compensation is commensurate with experience.
Questions/Application Submission: Please send your resume, cover letter and salary requirements to steve@eqca.org
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Now - 07/29/2011
Armed with a Camera Fellowship
Visual Communications is now accepting applications for its10th annual Armed With a Camera Fellowship. The fellowship fosters the education, training and professional development of up-and-coming Asian Pacific American filmmakers. In doing so, it seeks to shed light on the experiences of communities traditionally underrepresented by visual media.
The fellowship is open to filmmakers under 30-years-old of Asian Pacific descent. South Asian, Southeast Asian and women filmmakers are strongly encouraged to apply. From November 2011 to March 2012 Visual Communications will provide the support and resources for ten fellows to each to create a five-minute digital video. These resources will include: $500 cash grant, training, workshops and mentoring from industry professionals, opportunity for collaborative work with other fellows and more!
Applications: www.vconline.org
Deadline: Friday, July 29, 2011
Questions: Daina Solomon at daina@vconline.org or 213 680-4462 ext. 30
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Note: If you would like API Equality-LA to include an upcoming event or employment opportunity on our next newsletter, please email contact@apiequalityla.org by the 24th of the month. |
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About API Equality-LA
MISSION API Equality-LA advocates in the Greater Los Angeles API Community for the fair treatment of LGBT people and marriage equality.
VISION To create a society that celebrates the loves and lives of all people--free from discrimination and injustice. |
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Donate to API Equality-LA!
Help support and continue our work by donating to API Equality-LA! API Equality-LA is a fiscal project of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
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Upcoming Community Events
07/29/2011 - 07/31/2011
Los Angeles Trans Leadership Academy
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Contact
API Equality - LA
1145 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 107
Los Angeles, CA 90017-1900
Phone: (213) 290-5535
Fax: (213) 977-7595
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