There has long been a need for a Chicago organization which would attract and nurture queer Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs) and provide a safe space for them. An organization that would promote our visibility and voice to the larger community; and facilitate networking, friendship, and empowerment. In the late 1990s, organizations like PALs (Pacifica Asian Lesbians), Khuli Zaban, and Lavender Phoenix emerged for lesbians. And the organization GAPIC (Gay Asian Pacific Islanders of Chicago) emerged for gay men. But i2i would be the first queer API group to embrace all gender identities of queer Asian Americans in Chicago under one roof. This would allow us all to work side-by-side for our common goals.
In late 2003, David Amarathitada and Karl Kimpo met through their jobs doing API, HIV-related work and opportunities like LCAPA (Leadership Center for Asian Pacific Americans). David and Karl talked about creating a community space for gay Asian men in Chicago. But 2004 was the year that truly marked the birth of i2i. Spurred by an offer from Glenn Magpantay of GAPIMNY (Gay API Men of New York) to come speak in Chicago -- Karl and David put out a call, and on October 19, 2004 at Café Sol, 25-30 people attended a roundtable discussion about Asian & Pacific Islander gay men’s issues.
i2i
ILi Hsiao felt strongly that organizing be inclusive of API queer women and invited Lola Lai Jong to the potluck gathering at David’s home on December 11, 2004. The Chicago Queer API Interim Group Task Force (nicknamed “Funforce” by Lola) was formed and the first meeting on April 2, 2005 was attended by: Clarence Cheuk, Dan Rodriguez-Schlorff, David Amarathithada, Dennis Emano, Denys Lau, I Li Hsiao, Karl Kimpo, Liz Thomson, Lola Lai Jong, *Michael B, Rima Malhotra, and Sharmili Majmudar.
At the Jun 19, 2005 meeting the interim group agreed to consensus decision-making. Also Liz’s suggestion to name the group i2i (Invisible to Invincible) was adopted -- as was a mission statement. The Chicago Queer API Interim Group was dissolved; i2i began to come into its own. Jin, Liz and Lola marched together in The Dyke March—API presence. I Li joined us at the end rally. In November, Liz and Karl represented i2i at the first National Queer APA Alliance held in conjunction with The Task Force's Creating Change Conference in Los Angeles, CA. In December, I Li offered his home for a winter potluck, which continued to be an annual event.
The year 2006 was an exciting year. i2i co-sponsored the 5th Annual Lambda Legal Freedom To Marry Reception in February. With the Gay Games being held in Chicago, Karl co-organized with Jin a sushi party for the Games with outside funding by Asian Human Services. The party was well publicized and attended by over 100 people including the entire lesbian softball team from Taiwan. Liz, Lola, and Jin, marched again in the Chicago Dyke March, and was joined by Lani Montreal. Amanda Lowrey and Lola marched in Chicago's first immigrant march. In October, Liz attends the 10th Annual National APA Women's Forum (NAPAWF) in Los Angeles, where she specifically represented i2i in a special one day convening for lesbian, bisexual, transgender APA women.
i2i
In 2007, Dwight Okita and Liz were aware that there was a serious drop in the group's activity and momentum. Would i2i disappear like other groups before it due to lack of interest or volatile group dynamics? Liz and Dwight began to talk in earnest about how to provide more structure and events for the members. Dwight decided to spearhead regular monthly socials at Cosi Cafe starting in February, and worked on launching the i2i website (chicagoi2i.org). Liz decided to spearhead regular i2i business meetings, and guided the group through various decision-making models. Around May 2007, Liz and Dwight had stepped forward as co-facilitators of the group. i2i's first quarterly newsletter called inSight came out in December 2007. Dennis Emano led us in a special workshop looking at the effects of different personality types on group dynamics. The goal was to better equip the group to resolve conflict by better understanding the role of personality within organizations. Members were able to take a standardized personality test to see where they themselves fell on the personality spectrum.
The group also established a visual marketing campaign using a color scheme of pale pink, beige, and dark eggplant to help fuel our marketing/branding efforts--web site, business cards, t-shirts, and a logo! We added a Chicago i2i@yahoo e-mail address, too. The web site visits have increased over 400% since 2006 with about 70% from North America, but even more significantly...30% from elsewhere.
Some of the highlight events of the year included: i2i's First Open Mike Night at Pressure Cafe where members shared their personal writings with a public audience; i2i's co-sponsoring of queer Asian films in collaboration with the Reeling Film Fest; participation in the Dyke March with members carrying a hand-stitched i2i banner (made by Lola, Liz, and *Alana P.); a tour of the new Center of Halsted; and monthly socials at various venues in Chicago.
i2i
In 2008, Dwight proposed that a Core Group be created which could help with decision-making and in carrying out events. The co-facilitators began to schedule regular core meetings where issues could be resolved and decisions could be made. Members continued to suggest and spearhead a variety of events for the benefit of the members. "Roll into Spring" was an event led by Lola and Liz inviting women to try their hand at making Vietnamese spring rolls together, while working on a collaborative art mural. I Li continued to host the popular Winter Social's in his home, with an understanding that for many Asians food is a community-building activity. "Story of My Heart" was a closed event at Dwight's home where members were asked to share a true story of someone they had loved, along with a show-and-tell item from that relationship. Liz attended the Creating Change Conference in Detroit and the National Queer API Alliance Leadership Summit. Dwight was featured in the WTTW documentary "Out & Proud in Chicago," while Lola authored the queer APA section of the book and Liz was part of the marketing campaign.
Liz became Interim Director of University of Illinois at Chicago’s Gender & Sexuality Center in November of 2008. This affected i2i, because she could now more formally and professionally support i2i regarding her support and time. While she has always done outreach for i2i at UIC, the new position allowed her even more capacity.
Core Members I Li Hsiao and elisa armea stepped up to be the new i2i co-facilitators in October 2009. With their fresh enthusiasm, they have expressed an interest in finding new ways to combine activism with our monthly socials, to offer more educational events to members and to encourage more partnering with other queer groups of color. Highlights of the year included the first i2i Retreat in which the group tried to focus their vision for programming for 2009; a transgender presentation by Helena Bushong, president of the Illinois Gender Advocates; a trip to the Garfield Conservatory, and regular monthly socials and Core meetings. In celebration of i2i’s 5th Anniversary, Liz made small buttons to give out.
New outreach efforts were led by I Li and elisa during the Chicago 2010 Chinese New Year Parade where i2i postcards were distributed. A day long retreat was lead by elisa at her house. The retreat focused on power, privilege, and looking ahead for i2i. Members continued to march in the 2010 Chicago Dyke March and supported Co-facilitator elisa in her organizing efforts. Core members divided up organizing monthly dinner socials for outreach and retention during the spring and summer months of 2010.
Though 2009 marked the 5th Anniversary of i2i, it will be celebrated on August 28, 2010 at the Japanese American Service Committee in collaboration with NQAPIA. We are only five years old! We've met some great people, had some great times, and hopefully opened a few hearts and minds along the way. We look forward to our next five years. We hope you will be a part of them.
* Some i2i members prefer not to post their last names for reasons of confidentiality.
For instance they may not yet be out at work or with family.
NOTE: In honor of our Five Year Anniversary, "the evolution of i2i" was updated August 1, 2010 by various Core Members -- Lola Lai Jong, Liz Thomson, I Li Hsiao, and Dwight Okita.
tech specs
Color scheme:
Pink R 238, G 184, B 184
Dark Purple R 53, G 49, B 64
Tan R 194, G 182, B 160
Tan2 R 189, G 178, B 150
Font for web site- Helvetica 10 or 12 pt. with headlines in bold.
Title pages are lower-case, bold, italics, Tahoma, font 36 pt.
Section breakers are lower-case, bold, Helvetica, font 20 pt with line (width 542, heighth 5).
why i2i? (various viewpoints welcome!)
promoting world peace through culture and education. In the SGI, I have found a place where blame does not exist, where we take responsibility for own personal karma (the good, the bad and the ugly).
What I like about i2i is the people. Where else can I get to spend time in
the company of LGBT API? I don't find that in my daily orbits. I don't
find that at the bars or online. I find a sense of community here. People
who are both Asian and gay, male and female. A unique tribe with a unique message that says: Now while we are alive at the same time in the same place with these common identities, let us connect and do good work. I2I is a way to say: We were here. We did our best. We made some good friends. We had fun together."
Please visit my writer's web site. Recently I entered my novel in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. I made it to Top 3 Novels out of 5,000 from around the world. Hoping to place my book with an agent soon.
"I am active in several different groups. I have facilitated an online fiction writing group called Javahouse for three years, which meets monthly in cyberspace. Through the support of this group, several of us have completed our novels. For twenty years I have been active in SGI, an international Buddhist organization
I know that it's a strong part of many Asian cultures to not let others know much about oneself, only if a person is a close friend. I'm a very forward and up front person. I hope many of you that are on the listserve will voice your point of view, it's part of building a community, sharing your perspectives. Why you value the listserve and website that i2i provides? I would be sad for any of you who just read the messages in the listserve and have no response."
-- I Li Hsiao
Co-facilitator
"I'm very grateful for the space that i2i is providing for queer APIs. I'm involved with Radical Faeries, also with people in the floral industry since I've been a floral designer for many years. I'm a free lance floral designer and gay activist. To me, i2i provides a safe space where queer APIs come together and form a community. A place of empowerment for queer APIs by queer APIs!
New Positions in i2i
Toward the end of 2009, some folks stepped forward to volunteer their energies in different areas.
Overall Event Planning -- Will Tutol
Will asked to help with overseeing the event planning through the calendar year. This will ensure that events can be properly prepared for and promoted, and that there is a steady stream of activity for members to participate in. If you have event ideas, contact Will.
Treasurer -- Maggie Lee
When Yaming departed Chicago, Maggie volunteered to be the new treasurer. She is arranging for i2i to have a checking account at Chase Bank. Thanks to Maggie.
Co-Facilitators of i2i -- elisa armea and I Li Hsiao
Decision-Making Process
As various issues arise, we value group discussion and concensus decision-making model. One process we are currently trying is a 0-5 support.
0= extremely disagree; block
1= disagree; block
2= mostly disagree
3= satisfied, no block; but with concerns that need to be addressed
4= mostly agree; support
5= agree; support
6= extremely agree; support
A= abstain
We look for decisions to be made with the group members being at least above a 3. For those members who cannot by physically present, they must e-mail their level of support and concerns to a co-facilitator of the meeting at least 24 hours ahead. The person's support and concerns will be read aloud and notated in the minutes.
Communication
For general announcements, internal file and photo storage, we use Yahoo! Groups. However, even in the era of technology, we have found the face-to-face communication is necessary for better understanding and clarification.
procedures & communication
"I am an active member of I2I, because I've never experienced a space which covers my Asian American identity, sexual orientation, and addressed geographical issues before. I think earlier, I didn't "know what I was missing," but after meeting and getting to know the other active I2I members, I am energized and affirmed that our group is vital to many communities.
I hope that others who are on our list-serve can surface at some
of our social events and even step up to be part of our decision-
making group. It takes all of us to be sustainable. I truly value the
people I've met in I2I.
Also, check out my web site about my Homeland trip back to Vietnam at www.backtovietnam.org!
-- Liz Thomson
I started exploring my Asian identity much more as I became older, and later reached out to other Korean adoptees, but I was deeply afraid to face my sexuality. i2i has been a vital part of my development that has accepted me from the very start—no one questions my “Asian-ness” nor my sexuality. It is a group that truly understands my needs and provides delightful social gatherings as well as educating and supporting members. Although I no longer live in Chicago, I remain virtually connected and appreciate the information that is passed through the group.
-- Amanda Lowrey
I was adopted from Korea and raised by Caucasians on the east coast.. I think I have always known I was bi, but being gay was clearly unacceptable in my family. It was hard enough being Asian and having racist parents. I know--how can racist people adopt so many Asian children? you ask yourself—but it happened. Needless to say, with my own grandparents not accepting me because of my skin color and my parents hiding it from me for a long time, I was ill equipped to handle racism or even to identify as being Asian-American, a first generation immigrant.
faqs
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does it cost anything to be a "member?"
Currently there is no fee to become a member. The only thing we ask is you bring your whole heart and your engagement in the queer API community of Chicago. To become a member, you can contact us through the guest book on the first page of our website. Or you may be added to the i2i listserv also. See the link below the guest book.
2. What is an "open" event and why are some events open?
An open event can be attended by all -- including non-members, allies, friends, loved ones. One needn't be queer and asian to attend. Public presentations and monthly social are open events to encourage interaction between queer API and other communities.
3. What is a "closed" event and why are some events closed?
A closed event can only be attended by queer APIs. These include events in which personal sharing as queer APIs occurs and a safe space is ideal. Also i2i business meetings are also closed and attented by members. The goal of i2i is empowerment after all.
4. If I am lesbian/gay/bi/trans, but not asian -- can I attend any i2i events? If I am not lgbt, but I am asian -- can I attend any i2i events?
The answer in both cases is that the open events would be recommended for these individuals.
5. How is i2i different from other queer API groups in Chicago?
Some organizations like Asians & Friends Chicago have a greater emphasis on dating. i2i is more focused on building friendships, community, cultural activies, political activism, visibility, and fun!
Low-resolution of logo (RGB); jpeg format, 72 dpi. To save, right click and "save as." Or with a Mac, drag the image to your desktop.
If you need a higher resolution for printing, please e-mail us at chicagoi2i@yahoo.com.
I was born in a northern city in China and came to the US in my 20’s. I found I loved my best friend in middle school, then I realized and confirmed my gay sexuality in the college. I was out to my family and many close friends and am happy to have gained their support and good wish. Honestly speaking, my father is a very traditional and conservative man. We did have conflicts on my sexual orientation and something else. It's my determination and courage to pursue love that touches him in the end. We need to trade off in life to make our life more meaningful. Respect yourself and you will gain respect. I’m still single though I had experience of relationship. I'm still on the learning curve. Always long for a steady relationship in which both parties feel safe and cozy. Still waiting, the one I don’t know who he’s yet or the one I’ve been loving.
I moved to Chicago after graduating from my school in Cincinnati . And I2I is the first social community I’ve been involved, and it’s in the US . I2I not only brought with me a lot of fun moments but also gives me some feel of mission as both gay and Asian. I’ve been interested in public interest for a long time, which is my long term career vision. But my short and mid term goals are focused on business fields. I’m currently a manager in a market research firm, and to me, the standard of measuring how successful my career is is the impact on and giving back to community and society. That’s why I joined and will donate to I2I, to service the community where I’m a member of it. I envision someday I2I will become larger and stronger and will service and attract more LGBT API’s. - Yaming
the cookie jar
As of 12-1-09, the balance in i2i's checking account is: $542. Our cookie jar was significantly enhanced by an i2i member's donation of $500.
(We started out on 6-1-07 with $260 donated by Asian Human Services to support our activities.)
We're happy to welcome Maggie Lee as the new i2i treasurer.
The money is to support i2i activities and to help us flourish, so let's be proactive and creative about doing that.
Invisible to Invincible (i2i): Asian & Pacific Islander Pride of Chicago is a community-based organization that celebrates and affirms Asian/Pacific Islanders who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning or Queer in the Chicago area.
