Look at that energy!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/14/nepal-gay-rights-rally_n_926395.html

There are some fascinating and wonderful things goin’ on in Nepal. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the LGBT struggles here in Chicago and the state and nation as wholes. There are some things that we take for granted in the movement: large turn outs for Pride Parades, loud dance music (mostly the oontz oontz, but that’s a topic for another day), getting community leaders and politicians to our side, attaining corporate support, etc; but there’s something to be said about Nepal’s own struggles. The hundreds that gathered for their rally represent a far greater number of LGBTs in their country than we can imagine. To me those numbers represent a much greater risk — and therefore a much greater reward — for their movement and for progress. Likewise, those with a much more personal movement, which often involves actually moving and relocating from a country of persecution to a country of expression and safety. Chicago’s LGBT events may not be for everyone and that’s perfectly fine and understandable, but these events rightfully expand every year, so the next time I complain about the crowds at these events, I’m going to take a step back:

• to realize that our own movement in Chicago  started out on a similar scale
• to remember the privilege and power of numbers, and
• to recognize that it’s not just about us, but also for the people who aren’t with us (physically, geographically, politically, etc. )

Good luck, best wishes, and congratulations on the rally, Nepal!

Hello, i2i!

It has been one week since I had the good fortune and honor to travel to San Jose, California to represent i2i in the 2011 NQAPIA (National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance) Leadership Summit. My mission was to gather information on how to improve i2i for the community, as well as to report to NQAPIA i2i’s progress since last year when the summit was held in Chicago. Also of note, last year i2i received the Community Catalyst Award from NQAPIA in recognition to the group’s efforts at promoting the overall LGBTQ-API community of Chicago.

For comparison, here is i2i’s mission statement: Invisible to Invincible (i2i): Asian & Pacific Islander Pride of Chicago is a community-based organization that celebrates and affirms Asian/Pacific Islanders who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning or Queer in the Chicago area.

As you can see from the description, i2i’s goals align with NQAPIA, and that’s where i2i comes in. We joined a formidable collection of roughly 50 organizations from around the nation for a weekend of collaboration and sharing strategies, to learn best practices for our own orgs, as well as to give-and-get a sense of the challenges each community faces. There were fantastic workshops hosted and moderated by clearly driven leaders, as well as the opportunity to meet the movers and shakers of the API-LGBTQ movement. A humbling experience to be sure, but there’s no time in a single weekend to be star-struck, especially if there’s a job to be done (and friends to be made!).  I was determined to bring back worthwhile ideas back to i2i.

(Also, the Star Trek fan in me is quite happy to call NQAPIA a Federation. That’s right, I just outed myself as a Trekkie. Deal with it.)

So What Did i2i Get Out of The Summit?

I’m glad you asked It would be difficult for me to truly put into writing how fired up I was (and still am) about the summit and the fantastic people I met that weekend, so I’ll get to the point. There are a few questions I’d like to bring to anyone and everyone who considers themselves a member of i2i. If you’re reading this, you probably already have a vested interest in us.  Here are some thoughts:

• In being pan-Asian/pan-Sexuality/pan-Gender, how can i2i improve being an inclusive, non-homogenous space? One of the things we take pride in over other Chicago groups is the breadth of our representation, encompassing each letter that makes up the acronym LGBTQ. But it isn’t enough just to have a broad membership — how can i2i better accommodate a population of LGBTQ-APIs that is constantly growing and evolving?
• As members of i2i, what types of activities would you like to see us do as an org? Whether these activities be social, educational, advocacy, activist, or more, feel free to contact us.
• Please know that for any suggestions, the scale of our org thus far is relatively small, and thus we are a bit limited in terms of ability. That also means, however, that we are open to ideas on how to accomplish goals. And of course, we’re always open to having more members step up and take a more active role with i2i. After all, we’re a group that’s by and for LGBTQ-APIs of Chicagoland. Your participation not only helps i2i with events, but it also increases our visibility.
• Stay connected through i2i’s social media: the i2i Listserv, Facebook, Twitter, this very blog, and our website
• Suggest events around town and news that you feel should be shared to everyone in i2i. Is there a play by David Henry Hwang in town? A new exhibit? Do you work or volunteer for an org that we should know about? Tell us!
• Speaking of which, tell your friends about i2i, too! “The more, the merrier” is certainly a philosophy we adhere to.

I write this entry with the recent CAPS/Take Back Boystown meetings about Boystown violence in mind. I’ve been to those CAPS meetings. I’ve read the complex and sometimes heated exchanges on our Listserv. The intersection of race, ethnicity, and safety is a tricky but necessary piece of navigation. Regardless of the stance one has on the issue, to me these exchanges only emphasize a need for community, to recognize that while we might not agree on how to achieve a goal, that we still have the same goal. Most importantly, opposition is still part of the community, not the enemy. One of the great things about i2i is that we can exchange ideas freely and openly, as long as they are done respectfully (and sometimes, over dinner!). But community must be in place first.

It’s a pretty big deal for us that i2i is recognized on the national community stage, and that we’re receiving help and guidance from a community-based federation like NQAPIA. But i2i strives to be its own body for the sake of the Chicago community. Whether you participate in an i2i activity because you believe the cause is just, or you want to meet people, or you want to lend a hand, or you just want to have fun, take a moment to think about what i2i means to you, and take pride in the fact that i2i exists as a one-of-a-kind group for Chicago.

——-

I’ll take this time to give some shout-outs to the Chicagoans at NQAPIA:

• In addition to their duties as i2i Core members, Joy and Liz are also part of the NQAPIA board
• Karl, one of the first i2i members, and satellite i2i member (now San Franciscan) Phill are also NQAPIA board members
• Siby represented fellow LGBTQ org Trikone Chicago (check out this month’s organization spotlight!)

As you can tell, Chicago had no shortage of representation, and my, what a sexy bunch we are — no joke! While Siby and I participated in the summit, Joy, Liz, Karl, and Phill joined the other board members in raising $7200 in only 90 minutes! Great job, everyone!

From left: Liz, Karl, Joy, Ryan, Siby, Phill. Photo courtesy of Joy

I’ll end with some quick updates:

• If you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to RSVP to rvilor2@gmail.com for the August 9 social dinner at Tank Noodle, at 6:30pm. Last time we had a packed table full of great discussion. This time we’ll be joined by members of Trikone. It’s a great way to meet people and to learn more about i2i, as well as just getting some really delicious food in your belly
• What’s YOUR pride? Story of My Pride is on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 7:00pm at Asian Human Services. More info can be found here . We’re still looking for speakers!
• Prior to Story of My Pride, Dwight is organizing a crew of i2i folks to go see Darren Criss perform at Market Days at 4:30pm.

In light of recent events, i2i had some inspired and certainly lively discussion over our listserv. To help foster growth for active discussion, and to help other i2i folks connect and exchange ideas, we started the i2i Chicago Blog. Here you’ll find thoughts, updates, news, and other bits of info relevant to i2i. Also, if you have ideas for a blog entry or would even like to contribute a guest blog yourself, then feel free to contact us!

Keep an eye out for future posts. Once again, welcome!

–Ryan