2007 Accomplishments
Public Education
> Generated over 50 news items about marriage equality and other LGBT issues in the API and English language press, reaching millions of API community members in the United States, Canada, and even parts of Asia;
> Launched Let California Ring, the largest campaign in history to open hearts and minds about the freedom to marry in California, in partnership with the Equality California Institute and over 45 LGBT and allied organizations;
Community Organizing
> Joined the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA) to organize a marriage equality contingent at the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade that was seen by over 3 million spectators and television viewers; and,
> Organized the first-ever coalition of API faith leaders in California to speak out in support of LGBT families and equality in collaboration with the Network on Religion and Justice for API LGBT People.
> Secured an endorsement for marriage equality from the Organization of Chinese Americans, the nation's largest API membership association with over 10,000 members and 80 affiliates and chapters in the country.
Legal and Legislative Advocacy
> Collected over 500 signed postcards to urge Governor Schwarzenegger to support AB43, legislation that would have granted marriage equality to same-sex couples in California;
> Organized the first-ever People of Color Lobby Day for marriage equality and lobbied 11 state legislators that previously opposed or abstained from voting for AB43 to consider signing the bill;
> Spearheaded an amicus brief that was signed by over 60 local, state, and national Asian American organizations in support of the California Marriage Cases, which are currently before the state's supreme court;
Acknowledgements
We wish to thank the following institutional and individual donors for their financial support in 2007:
Corporations, Foundations, and Organizations:
Anonymous
Equality California Institute
Minami Tamaki LLP
Proteus Fund
San Francisco Deputy Sheriff's Association
San Francisco State University Foundation
Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock
Individuals:
Daniel Bao
Fung Bao
Teresa Lee Chung
Belinda and John Dronker-Laureta
Emily Gee
Emi Gusukuma
Frank Howell
Vivian Huang
Emily Lam
Teresa Lau and Teri Gonzalez
Celia Wan-Tsing Lee
Tina Lee
Steve Ngo
Rich Pio Roda
Dr. Molly Scott
Maya and MeiBeck Scott-Chung
David Wong
Brian Wong and Scott Hoffmeister
Jen Mei-Wu
Margot Yapp and Koko Lin