Connecting to Community During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month. Howard Brown Health wants to recognize the difficulties that API people have faced in these past months. Many have faced overt racism and microaggressions stemming from fears and ignorance surrounding COVID-19. Like with many other people of color, API people need support and empathy during this challenging time.
Two organizations that have provided support for LGBTQ API are Invisible to Invincible: Asian Pacific Islander Pride of Chicago (i2i), a Chicago-based organization for LGBTQ Asians and Pacific Islanders in Chicago, and NQAPIA (National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance).
i2i is a community-based organization that celebrates and affirms Asian/Pacific Islanders who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer in the Chicago area. They celebrate and strive to be inclusive of all gender identities, sexual orientations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities and disabilities, and immigrant and adoptee experiences. i2i organizes progressive educational programming, support spaces, and potlucks. They also focus on community activism, primarily around queer, trans, racial and immigrant justice. To learn more and join, visit their page at facebook.com/i2iAPIPride/
NQAPIA is a national organization that helps build the capacity of local LGBT AAPI organizations, invigorate grassroots organizing, develop leadership, and challenge homophobia, racism, and anti-immigrant bias. To get involved, visit nqapia.org/
Like other LGBTQ folks, many LGBTQ API people might be in unsafe home situations during the COVID-19 crisis. To provide support during shelter-in-place and stay-at-home orders, both NQAPIA and i2i have been organizing online events for emotional support, information on digital fundraising, Census taking, and more.
Howard Brown supports all of our Asian American and Pacific Islander patients, clients, and staff. This month, we are mindful of the important work being done in the API community and recognize the increased stress for API people at this time.
If you are API and have experienced a hate crime, consider filling out this form documenting that experience here. The Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council is a California based organization, but the form can be filled out from any state.
Howard Brown offers a remote behavioral health and hosts a wide range of online support groups. Learn more about our support groups here or call 773.388.1600 for more information.