2015 Highlights and 2016 Goals

2015 was quite a year.

We connected, convened, and inspired hundreds of people to share their stories, learn about queer and trans API history and activism, practice organizing skills, march for trans lives and justice, and build relationships across generations.

Here are some of our highlights:

• We launched the API Queer Justice Leadership Exchange, a new leadership development initiative for API activists.

• We surpassed 50 Dragon Fruit oral histories. In partnership with StoryCorps, we organized 6 Dragon Fruit Recording Days. We also hosted two Transcribing Days and a Wiki Edit-a-thon.

• We joined a coalition of organizations to fight a potential anti-transgender ballot initiative, and just a few weeks ago, celebrated the failure of this initiative to make it to the 2016 ballot.

• We welcomed our newest Community Organizer, MLin to the team.

In 2016, we plan to refine our leadership development work and continue to train LGBTQ API leaders through our internship program and the API Queer Justice Leadership Exchange; we will launch a Dragon Fruit Project website to showcase these incredible stories and the collective history; and we will continue to both provide and seek out opportunities for our community to show up for trans justice.

We also have a big announcement: our Program Coordinator Tracy Nguyen has joined our new Advisory Board, which is comprised of intern alumni, former staff, educators, community leaders, historians, fundraisers who will support our team through their advice, knowledge, and expertise. In addition, she will co-chair our Fundraising Committee. Although Tracy is no longer on staff, we’re lucky to have her stay involved in this way!

In solidarity,

Monna Wong
Executive Director

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Enjoy our 2015 infographic, made by our rockstar volunteer, Cynthia Fong.