Pass Out More Business Cards?

During my recent environmental scan of the Metropolitan DC area, in terms of organization affiliation, I discovered this non-profit organization, based in downtown DC, called “Asian-Pacific Islanders Queer United for Action”, also known as AQUA. AQUA is an organization for queer APIs, by queer APIs, focusing on queer API issues and interests. They strive to project a positive image of queer API men in the community through advocacy, education, outreach, and social events. It did sound like to me a good way to socialize and network with other Asian-Pacific Islanders in the area and get a sense of the things I have yet to discover.

I gave joining the association a thought this weekend, and I think I’m going to associate myself with them. Not only that I get socialization opportunity out of the deal but an opportunity to fork out assistance with their board of directors, in terms of volunteering to help the organization increase their membership and improve their marketing plans and strategies. I spoke to one of the Board members about the possibility of leadership in this area. I offered them my background in marketing and program development, in which I think I have a lot to bring to the table with respect to these areas. I enjoy assisting small groups in becoming larger, and I thought this would be an opportunity.

What’s interesting about AQUA is that they encourage people who are interested in making a difference in the image of Asian-Pacific Islanders in so many aspects, not only in the DC area but in general. I believe at this point in time, this particular group of gay men experiences different types of struggles, challenges, and opportunities for discrimination. The focus on involving people who can transition Asian-Pacific Islander gay men from that pool of discrimination to becoming equally and socially acceptable in the community. It’s not so much about the “What’s In It for Me?” concept but “What’s In It for All of Us?” concept. They like to think big and to bring equality to all Asian-Pacific Islander gay men.

One of the many activities AQUA holds is their monthly “rap” session that is essentially an educational session covering many topics that Asian-Pacific Islander gay men have concerns about. I do believe they address “those” issues and educate themselves and so with others how to cope up with these differences and find resolutions, perhaps in a short term but essentially they strive to implement long term resolutions through education, advocacy, and outreach.

For those of you who maybe interested in joining, visit their website at www.aquadc.org. Learn about not what AQUA can for you, but what you can do for AQUA, or in other words the Asian-Pacific Islander gay community.

I’m planning to affiliate with them and see where this avenue can take me socially and professionally. I would love to get to know Asian-Pacific Islanders in the area, who perhaps may have similar interests and/or outlook with being gay in the DC area or being gay in general. I also hope this will give me the opportunity to meet that someone who I had been looking for.

Adios for now and I will keep you posted and hopefully it will work…