Shades of Yellow + National Queer Southeast Asian Conference

Monday, July 26, 2010

Here's a good write-up about a conference that happened a few weeks ago that I wanted to make sure and post on up.

The first ever National Queer Southeast Asian Conference took place at the Radisson University Hotel in Minneapolis last weekend. The conference was hosted by Shades of Yellow, the Twin Cities Hmong Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQ) organization, and provided a space for Southeast Asians and allies from around the country to discuss issues that are important to the Queer Southeast Asian communities.

The event started off with an opening dinner on Friday at Pagoda Dinkytown where State Senators Scott Dibble (DFL-60) and Patricia Torres Ray (DFL-62) spoke of their support of the Queer API movement along with PFund Board Chair Lupe Castillo.

Participants were able to attend workshops all day on Saturday which included, Coming out/Growing up Queer as Southeast Asian, LGBTQ in Southeast Asia vs. America, Queer Immigrant’s Rights, Creating Queer API Safe Spaces & Organizations, and Women, Gays, Trans, Ally and Youth Caucuses.

This conference was organized by the Queer Southeast Asian Network which includes member organizations: Shades of Yellow in Minneapolis; Providence Youth Student Movement in Providence, RI; Freedom Inc. in Madison, WI and Khmer in Action in Seattle.
Read more about the conference here and check out Shades of Yellow down at their site.