• noshad2
    noshad2
A group of ‘motivated and fun’ LGBT API’s (Asian/Pacific Islanders) met together to convene the QAPI Interim Taskforce April 2 at David Amarathithda’s home. First, we ate. Then, Karl Kimpo facilitated the gathering by asking why each person wanted such a group, and guided the brainstorming to begin formulating a mission statement. Present were: Clarence Cheuk, Dan Rodriguez Schlorff, David Amarathithda, Dennis Emano, Denys Lau, I Li Hsiao, Karl Kimpo, Liz Thomson, Michael Barin, Rima Malhotra, Sharmili Majmudar, and myself, Lola Lai Jong.

We met a second time April 24 at Howard Brown Health Center, and shared a yummy potluck. Joining the Taskforce at this gathering were David Igasaki, Greg Calip, Jin, Michelle Baladad, and Shailey Merchant, Women’s Health Program Manager at Howard Brown Health Center. The guest facilitator was Vaughn Taylor-Akutagawa, executive director of the Jelani Men’s Project on Chicago’s West Side. We agreed on 75% of the mission statement.

The QAPI Interim Taskforce is continuing to meet to create a mission statement and choose a name. Interested API LGBTQ&Q can contact David Amarathithda, damara66@yahoo.com, cell (312) 952-9918; Karl Kimpo, opmik75@gmail.com, cell (216) 965-6232; or Michelle Baladad, m@bwinfinity.com, cell (847) 899-5172 for the next meeting date, time, and place.

— Lola Lai Jong

Photographers: Liz Thomson and Lola Lai Jong