Mayor’s Office on GLBT Affairs & Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs Announce AAPI LGBTQ Task Force

 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – On March 9, 2015, the Mayor’s Office on GLBT Affairs and the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs have partnered to form a community led task force to engage the LGBTQ AAPI community.

The Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) LGBTQ Task Force will convene organizations serving the AAPI LGBTQ community, AAPI community leaders and others committed to serving the population. The group will meet on a monthly basis to make the Mayor’s Office on GLBT Affairs, Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA) and other District government agencies accessible to the AAPI LGBTQ community.

The Task Force will serve the major purpose of linking the community to District government programs and services that are available to the community and will create opportunities for the District government to engage the broader AAPI LGBTQ community.

Sheila Alexander-Reid, Director of GLBT Affairs, says these new initiatives fit in line with the Bowser Administration’s vision of ensuring all residents receive the services they need. “I am committed to engaging the entire LGBTQ community. The diversity of the LGBTQ community is our greatest strength and our task forces will provide us an opportunity to really engage with folks who have historically been left out of the conversation about LGBTQ rights.”

"This task force will help increase understanding of and cooperation between the AAPI and LGBTQ communities, and build towards greater inclusion and acceptance of AAPI LGBTQ individuals," said David Do, OAPIA Director.

The first meeting of the AAPI LGBTQ Task Force will occur at the DC Center on March 24, 2015 at 6:00pm which is located in the Reeves Building at 1400 14th St. NW, Washington, DC.