From the Chair

2008

Dear Tongzhis:

In case you are wondering why CRA hasn't had an event recently, it is because some of us have been extremely busy with the important election. I, for instance, participated in 2 press conferences, 3 rallies, numerous meetings, 2 workshops, all for the no-on-8 campaign. The most active API organization promoting no-on-8 has been the API Equality-LA, and I have been on 2 of their committees.

Besides chairing a Chinese language training workshop in October, I have been monitoring the Chinese language media. I was interviewed on the Channel 18 TV station twice. As usual I told them (and thus the audience) the importance of gay human rights and nothing can justify removing the basic rights from any group. I was also interviewed in all the major Chinese language newspapers. Here are just a few examples:

SingTao Daily (Oct 17) entitled "Calling Voters to Support the Freedom to Marry"

SingTao Daily (Oct 18) entitled "Marriage Equality-Supporting Religious Groups Gather to Oppose Prop. 8"

World Journal (aka Chinese Daily) (Nov 7) entitled "Prop. 8 Passes/CRA is Disappointed"

Why the media? Because of the important influence they have on the public (and voters). Communicating through the media is obviously a lot more efficient than talking to people individually. We donated money to make and broadcast no-on-8 ads, and I also hosted a video ad making workshop in my conference room/gallery in Monterey Park. We produce some great video pieces for YouTube and more.

Well, enough about what has happened! We need to focus on the present and the future, Though we lost one battle this time, we are now stronger, wiser, and better prepared than ever.

Our next moves will need even more people who care about our struggle for FULL equality. Please join us to volunteer yourselves by contacting me or other CRA board members.

The bottom line is this: We can't sit around to wait for other people to fight for us. The success of our struggle depends on our direct involvement, from donating money to educating the mainstream people to joining our activities. In our next parade march in Chinatown on Jan 31, 2009, please come out and join us in proudly demonstrating our pride to the local mainstream community. We educate by modeling ourselves and by getting the messages across on the grass-root level. After the parade, we will dine in a great restaurant in Chinatown, hosted again by API Equality-LA. Thus it will be educational, empowering, as well as fun!

In solidarity,

Andre' Ting (Ding Yong)

August 2008

Wow, what a great event we had in July! Our pool party drew over 70 people! Besides the usual camaraderie, feasting, networking, we had a "wedding cake," celebrating the 7 committed couples there (a timely program in the wake of the recent Supreme Court's landmark ruling on marriage equality for gay couples). The spontaneous kissing and display of affection (and cheering) after their recognition were heart-felt. Many thanks to our event hosts for opening up their homes for this fab luau.

Looking at the future, the LGBT community has already started to organize to fight to preserve our major equal right. The API Equality-LA has started activities such as phone bank, outreach training, and a lot more. I will be involved in training of Chinese language, so members can go the 99 Ranch Markets everywhere to ask for support of gay people and to vote "no" on the anti-gay Proposition 8. We need your help in many areas! Please contact me for your volunteering, Thank you.

While we look towards our future, let us not forget to look to our past history of gay civil rights struggles. We need to learn from the past experiences of our pioneer leaders to understand our own history and apply this to our present and future movement. History is the best teacher, guide and inspiration.

On Sunday Aug 17, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at University of Southern California will present a culture series lecture highlighting the API participation and contributions to the modern gay rights movement. Interesting highlight stories & images will make the event informative and interesting! Your participation in the Q&A will make it relevant and personal to you. I as the featured speaker of this important event look forward to seeing you all there. After all, this is OUR OWN history, and we deserve to know it and claim credit for it.

In pride with you.

Andre' Ting

July 2008

Dear Tongzhis/comrades:

THIS IS SUCH A JOYOUS TIME FOR US ALL! THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT GAVE US 2 BIG PRESENTS!

Now we gay people can finally get legally married in California, our beautiful state. A landmark victory for us who had struggled and worked for so long and hard to obtain this important right. Yes, California is again a trend setter for the rest of the country, and perhaps of the world!

Ever since May 15, I have been busy monitoring the Chinese language media for their coverage of our freedom to marry news, and talking to reporters about our feelings, activities and aspirations and more. On May 16 alone, the day after the landmark Supreme Court righteous decision, there were 11 (!) articles on marriage equality in the 3 major Chinese language newspapers alone. Most of these articles are positive with accurate quotes from myself, Doreena wong (co-chair of API Equality-LA), and Karin Wang, Vice President of Asian Pacific American Legal Center.

Well, it was a long and hard fought battle and we won! As we are rejoicing, let's not forget all the hard work and energy, time, and money spent by so many gay right activists and our allies in California. There will be many wedding parties and celebrations coming up. As we benefit from this newly won benefit, let's sign up for new battles ahead of us, to defeat the November initiative, that attempts to once again, rob us of our right to marry. Please join me to volunteer for voting registration, outreaching, education, fundraising, and more to make us strong enough to counter our enemy.

In solidarity with each one of you!

Andre' Ting

Chair, Chinese Rainbow Assn