May 29 saw the official Mr. and Miss Gay Pride Pageant @ the Queen Mary Lounge in Studio City. It was a show event presented by the famous Imperial court of L.A. and Hollywood to select the two beautiful people to lead this year's gay parade.

The Imperial Court was founded 30 years ago(!) It is now the oldest such organization in the world, with affiliates in most major U.S. cities as well as in Canada and England. Being one of the largest gay and lesbian non-profit organizations in the world, its mission is to raise money for many California gay and lesbian charities.

This year, at this show event, they presented our organization a prestigious "Community Service & Dedication Award." Yours truly, a judge of this event, accepted the honor from the reigning Empress Karina and Emperor Robert. I must mention that this year's Miss Gay Pride pageant winner is Vi, a beautiful Asian Drag Queen. The first runner-up is also an Asian (Thai)! The Mr. Gay Pride 2000 title goes to a Latin hunk called Alex. Congratulations to all the winners! Please come to see them in the parade.

Dear fellow tongzhis:

Once a year, June is the month for most gay Pride festivities in the world. The weather is warm enough for street parades and outdoor fairs. What better time to get together and celebrate what we are and be proud of what we are?!

We need volunteers as our organization and our movement are growing. In this country, the gays are the last legitimate minority on the way to obtain complete equality. In Asia we need to educate people to realize that gays and lesbians are born that way and we are psychologically healthy and normal. Indeed, we are gay, meaning happy, and proud, meaning we have nothing to be ashamed of. So be sure to join us in the parade march.

Following the successes of our Chinese new year banquet and the museum trip dinner, we are having our third official dining out this month in a special restaurant (please see the announcement of June social). We will have Chinese and English-speaking tables in a nice, secluded VIP room so all will feel very comfortable. So please invite your friends and sit with them in this very happy (and gay) gathering.

For July we are likely to have a dance party in a night club. Last year's "A Night of Tempt.Asians" was a success, with beautiful Chinese decorations, funky music, hot go-go boys, a packed house, etc. This year we will join forces with maybe two other organizations to host a exciting night event where you can dance, mingle, cruise, and more.

For those of you who want to participate in the organizational work of CRA , please come to our events an hour early for the board meetings, which are really open to all members. We are constantly looking for new volunteers and board members. Our next meeting will be at the secluded VIP room of the restaurant.

Have a great summer and see you all at the Pride celebration!