Building Communities - Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues

AUTONOMOUS LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL,TRANSGENDER AND QUEER PEOPLE OF COLORORGANIZATIONS IN THE U.S.BuildingCommunitiesList of Organizations

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSCO NTENTS3 ALASKA3 ARIZONA3 CALIFORNIA10 COLORADO11 GEORGIA12 HAWAII13 ILLINOIS14 KENTUCKY15 MARYLAND15 MASSACHUSETTS16 MICHIGAN18 MINNESOTA18 NEW JERSEY19 NEW YORK28 OHIO28 OREGON29 PENNSYLVANIA31 PUERTO RICO31 SOUTH CAROLINA32 TEXAS33 WASHINGTON35 WASHINGTON, DCThe following information on organizations was takendirectly from the responses offered by respondents.In some cases, the text was edited for clarity or for grammaticalpurposes, or because organizational descriptions were toolengthy for the format of this report.Because this research represents a first-time attempt toidentify and describe these groups, this initial listing doesnot represent the universe of U.S.-based autonomous LGBTQpeople of color organizations.If you are an autonomous LGBTQ people of color organizationand are not included in this initial scan of organizations,please email Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues atrobert@lgbtfunders.org. We’ll be sure to include you inthe next version of this report (set for January 2009) andintegrate your contact information into our online databaseof organizations geared specifically for grantmakers.A few of the Latin@ LGBTQ organizations that respondedto this report use “Latin@” as a substitute for “Latina/o.”In languages with grammatical genders, such as Spanish,masculine nouns and pronouns are generally used for wordsthat refer to all people, even when those words includewomen. According to Angel Fabian, an organizer atthe Latin@ LGBTQ Pride Committee, the “@” promotes genderinclusiveness and allows for a tech-savvy lexicon thatbetter reaches youth. “We write ‘Latin@’ given the youthculture we mobilize and how it represents our internet age,”said Fabian.2CONTENTS

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSALASKAALASKA NAT IVE AU RO RA S O C I E T YTim Juliussen, Coordinator405 East Fireweed LaneAnchorage, AK 99503EMAIL: ANMensGroup-owner@yahoogroups.comMISSION: “A support group for Alaska Native Gay, Bisexual,and Transgendered Men, including American Indians andthose whose indigenous roots are from the beautiful state ofAlaska. Headquartered in Anchorage, ‘Alaska’s largest village,’members are not limited to those who reside in Alaska’surban centers; but embrace those who live in remote ruralcommunities and those who live outside of the state. Women,family members, partners, and friends of Native Gay, Bisexual,and Transgendered Men are welcome to participate in ourgroup and especially in our social functions.”ORIGINS: “There was a small group of individuals who felt thatthere was a need to build and strengthen the Native GLBTcommunity in Alaska. Through a local Native health organization,a Native Gay empowerment program emerged; however, membersfelt that our circle of friends and families should be included.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: StatePOPULATIONS: Transgender and Gender-Non-conforming;Bisexual; Lesbians; Gay Men; Native; Non-Identified GBLT orQuestioning; Adults; WomenARIZONANATIVEOUTLouva Hartwell, Co-Director2815 N. 52nd Street #6Phoenix, AZ 85008EMAIL: Lhartwell@nativeout.comPHONE: 602-427-8336MISSION: “Our vision is to build a unified, strong, andempowered Native American Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,Transgender, and Two-Spirit community. Our mission is toeducate, gain acceptance, conduct outreach, promote visibility,encourage wellness, build alliances, and advocate for ourNative American Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, andTwo-Spirit community.”ORIGINS: “Phoenix Native Americans, Corey Taber, Victor Bain,and Ambrose Nelson founded NativeOUT in the summerof 2004. Corey and Victor met at the 2004 Tulsa Two-Spiritgathering and decided to start the group.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; State; NationalPOPULATIONS: Two-Spirit (Native American LGBTQ)CALIFORNIA( A ) E ROMEST I Z AGigi Otalvaro-Hormillosa, Artistic Director83 Lafayette St. #3San Francisco, CA 94103EMAIL: aeromestiza@sbcglobal.netPHONE: 415-558-9021MISSION: “Founded in 2001 by Artistic Director Gigi Otálvaro-Hormillosa, (a)eromestiza creates dynamic live performancesthat incorporate complex theatrical, sound, movement andvideo components. Our innovative productions, which havebeen presented to national and international audiences,challenge stereotypes by interpreting identity, race, sexualityand community from a queer, female and mixed-race point ofview—through the filter of ‘mestizaje.’ ‘Mestizaje’ is theSpanish word used to describe the essence of Latin American3ALASKAARIZONACALIFORNIA

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSculturally sensitive programs which holistically address thecomplex life circumstances of individuals who are homeless,at risk of becoming homeless, very low income or otherwise inneed of basic health and human services.”ORIGINS: “The agency was created specifically as the socialservice arm of a faith-based radically inclusive ministry.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Transgender and GenderNon-Conforming; Children and Youth; Adults; People of Color,General; Poor/Economically Disadvantaged; People Livingwith HIV/AIDSASIAN PAC I FIC I S L A N D E R P RI D E CO U N C I LShawn Ta, President605 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste. 610Los Angeles, CA 90015EMAIL: contact@apipridecouncil.orgPHONE: 626-329-9756FAX: 213-553-1833MISSION: “The Asian Pacific Islander Pride Council is a networkof Asian and Pacific Islander Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgenderand Queer organizations and alliances whose mission is toprovide and cultivate support, resources and advocacy to theAsian Pacific Islander, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,Queer and mainstream communities of Southern California.”ORIGINS: “The organization emerged in 2004 to facilitate acollaboration of Southern Californian-based LGBTQ Asian andPacific Islander groups. It initially started with a handful oflong-standing separate organizations such as the Gay AsianSupport Network (GAPSN), Barangay, Chinese RainbowAssociation (CRA), Asian American Queer Women Activists(AAQWA), Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT), AsianPacific Islander Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians andGays (API PFLAG) and Satrang.GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Asian/Pacific IslandersBAY A R E A A M E R I CA N I N D IAN TWO -SPI RITSMiko Thomas, Co-Chair1800 Market St #95San Francisco, CA 94115EMAIL: webmaster@baaits.orgPHONE: 415-420-2281MISSION: “Bay Area American Indians Two-Spirits (BAAITS)exists to restore and recover the role of Two-Spirit peoplewithin the American Indian/First Nations community by creatingforums for the “spiritual, cultural and artistic expression ofTwo-Spirit people.”ORIGINS: “BAAITS is a community-based volunteerorganization offering culturally relevant activities for Gay,Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Native Americans,their families and friends. Two-Spirit refers to the commonlyshared notion among many Native American tribes that someindividuals naturally possessed and manifested both masculineand feminine spiritual qualities. American society commonlyidentifies Two-Spirit People as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual orTransgender. Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits comestogether to socialize, share and network in an alcohol anddrug-free environment.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Two-Spirit; Native American5CALIFORNIA

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSBI EN ESTAROscar De La O, President & CEO5326 E. Beverly Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 91744EMAIL: odelao@bienestar.orgPHONE: 323-727-7896 ext 123FAX: 323-727-7985MISSION: “BIENESTAR is committed to enhancing the healthand well-being of the Latino community and otherunderserved communities. BIENESTAR accomplishes thisthrough community education, prevention, mobilization,advocacy and the provision of direct social support services.”ORIGINS: “BIENESTAR is a grass-roots, non-profit communityservice organization established in 1989. BIENESTARoriginated as a direct result of neglect and non-existentHIV/AIDS services for the Latino community. Since ourestablishment, BIENESTAR has evolved into a multi-service,multi-center agency, offering services throughout Los AngelesCounty, San Bernardino County, and San Diego. Our teamis comprised of bilingual and bicultural staff and volunteersthat are demographically, culturally and linguisticallyrepresentative of the communities we serve. Our healthmodels have set the standard of excellence for peer-drivenservices throughout the United States and Latin America.We strongly believe that the solutions to our communitychallenges can be found within our community.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; State; NationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Children and youth; Adults;Men; Women; Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming;Hispanic/ Latina and Latino; Multiracial/Biracial; Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees; Incarcerated/Formerly Incarcerated;People with Disabilities; Poor/Economically Disadvantaged;People Living with HIV/AIDS; Sex WorkersBLACK GAY LETTERS & ARTS MOVEMENT (BGLAM)Cedric Brown, Program Director3488 22nd Street #2San Francisco, CA 94110PHONE: 415-282-2975MISSION: “B/GLAM uses the arts as a vehicle both to buildcommunity between Black gay/same gender loving men andto highlight our creativity to the broader community.”ORIGINS: “In 1999, Bay Area writers and performers Marvin K.White and Cedric Brown created BGLAM in response to a lackof black gay visibility and arts events in San Francisco andOakland. The initial hope was to create a community networkof black gay artists. BGLAM programs were initially fundedby a special LGBT grantmaking opportunity through theHorizons and San Francisco Foundations. Since then, BGLAMhas grown into an online network of 50 men who've organizednumerous events and collaborated with other communitybasedorganizations to bring our arts and stories to thebroader community.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: Gay Men; Same Gender Loving Men; Adults;Men; People of African DescentL AT I N @ LGBTQ P R I D E COMMITTEEAngel Fabian, Organizer2815 Octavia StreetOakland, CA 94619EMAIL: otilos@hotmail.comMISSION: “The Latin@ LGBTQ Pride Committee aims to createsafe spaces that celebrate, respect and politicize the Latin@LGBTQ community. We honor OUR many countries of origin,many languages, youth and elders, families, allies, communities,6CALIFORNIA

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSsexualities and gender identities and expressions. Our Values:being multilingual; recognizing privilege and fightingoppression; respecting and creating safe space(s); politicizationof community; welcoming to families, youth & elders; respecting/embracing diversity; empowering community throughleadership development.”ORIGINS: “In 2005, out of the work from the San Francisco GayMen's Initiative's Latino outreach initiative, the First LatinoGay Pride Festival was organized by gay Latino men at DoloresPark in San Francisco. Last year without a working budget,the Second Annual Latin@ LGBTQ Pride Festival, and the FirstLatin@ Trans Film Festival was organized by a group of queerlatin@ activists who sought to expand our outreach to youth,elders, women and trans folk and achieved a festival attractingover 500 bay area Latin@s and allies.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local (San Francisco Bay Area)POPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Hispanic/Latina and Latino;Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees; Poor/EconomicallyDisadvantaged; People Living with HIV/AIDS; Sex Workers;Second and Third-Generation Latin@sMANGOS WITH C H I L IMaria Cristina Rangel, Co-Director2307 17th Ave.Oakland, CA 94606EMAIL: mangos.with.chili@gmail.comPHONE: 413-218-0464MISSION: “Mangos With Chili: the floating cabaret of queerand trans people of color bliss, dreams sweat, sweets andnightmares is an annual touring cabaret of queer and transpeople of color artists working in the genres of theater, spokenword, drag, dance and burlesque. Through performance weaim to tell stories of race, class, survival, sex, dreams, andtrans, femme and genderqueer identities, offering a counterdiscourseto dominant forms of imperialist/colonialist/nationalist media through pieces that manifest the multidimensionalstruggles of day to day survival that queer andtrans people of color often face.”ORIGINS: “Inspired by similar traveling roadshows like theTranny Roadshow, Sister Spit, and the Sex Workers Art Show, in2006 long-time collaborators and performance artists MarÃaCristina Rangel and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinhadecided to start a similar tour featuring queer and trans artistsof color. Using their experience creating events in Toronto,Boston, New York and the West Coast, the first Mangos WithChili tour had a very successful run through the Northeast USand Canada during Spring 2007.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: NationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming; People of Color, General; Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees; Poor/Economically Disadvantaged; Sex WorkersN ATIONS O F T H E 4 D I R E C TIONSKaren Vigneault, Founder and Leader4127 Arizona St #7San Diego, CA 92104EMAIL: kumeyaayindian@hotmail.comPHONE: 619-497-1951MISSION: “We are a Native American lesbian and gay supportorganization. San Diego is home to 18 reservations and we arehere to support the twin spirit community.”ORIGINS: “In 1991 or 1992, I felt the need to create a supportgroup for the twin spirit Native Americans living in the city andor on reservations. I contacted other natives living in the cityand thus our organization began (www.notfds.blogspot.com).At that time we were probably one of about five in the whole7CALIFORNIA

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSUnited States. We are still the only one in southern California.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: Twin Spirit / Two Spirit; Adults; Native AmericanPU RPLE MOON DANCE P ROJ E C TPauline Aguilar, Development Director465 - 10th Street, #302San Francisco, CA 94103EMAIL: pauline@purplemoondance.orgPHONE: 415-244-7037MISSION: “The mission of Purple Moon Dance Project is toincrease the visibility of lesbians and women of color and toencourage social change, peace and healing in our societythrough the medium of dance. Purple Moon's work is‘diversity made physical.’”ORIGINS: “PMDP was founded in 1992 by choreographer/dancer Jill Togawa with the goal of promoting visibility forlesbians and women of color through the medium of dance,and to realize a creative vision: integrating non-western andwestern dance forms and aesthetics; multidisciplinarycollaboration; and exploring the continuum of intimacybetween women.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: Lesbians; Women; People of Color, GeneralPRO L ATI NO D E S A N JOSEDavid Castro, President of the Board754 The Alameda #2105San Jose, CA 95126EMAIL: dmgallardo@aol.comPHONE: 408-396-1447MISSION: “To provide prevention, education and advocacy forthe Spanish-speaking LGBT community in Santa Clara County.”ORIGINS: “A small group of individuals identified the need toorganize and provide HIV/AIDS and STD education services tothe community 15 years ago.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Adults; Men; Women;Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming; People of color,General; Hispanic/ Latina and Latino; Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees; Incarcerated/Formerly Incarcerated; People withDisabilities; Poor/Economically Disadvantaged; People Livingwith HIV/AIDS; Military/Veterans; Sex WorkersS AT R A N GSanjay Chhugani, President2658 Griffith Park Blvd., #333Los Angeles, CA 90039EMAIL: contact@satrang.orgPHONE: 213-479-5076MISSION: “Satrang is a social, political, cultural and supportorganization providing a safe space to empower South AsianLGBTIQs (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgenders, Intersex,Questioning) in Southern California. Through education,networking and outreach we are committed to creatingawareness and acceptance of queer/alternative sexualitiesand gender orientations.”ORIGINS: “Satrang was created in the summer of 1998 by 12-15people who wanted to start a social support group for SouthAsian LGBTIQ community in Southern California. Today, it hasover 300 members, primarily of South Asian origin. In 2005the board members decided to get a fiscal sponsor andoperate like a non-profit organization. Three of the current fiveboard members were involved in that transition. In 2003 those8CALIFORNIA

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSdedicated members determined that it was time to evolvefrom a purely social organization to include education,outreach, advocacy and resource building in order to meet thegreater needs of the South Asian LGBTIQ population. A grantwas received for the periods of 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 tocreate and disseminate a queer South Asian healthcareaccess survey which was conducted in collaboration with amainstream South Asian organization. A report is due fromthe findings in the Fall of 2007.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; South AsianS O U L FU L S ALONRon Jackson, Founder/Organizer1626 N. Wilcox, #574Los Angeles, CA 90028EMAIL: info@soulfulsalon.comFAX: 323-646-7086MISSION: “The Soulful Salon is dedicated in providing anenriching space to bring out the art in everyone, from theexperienced professional to the beginning novice.”ORIGINS: “The Soulful Salon’s artist collective is the brainchildof Ronald Jackson and Jeffrey King with Mark Durham beingone of its founding members in 2005. Responding to the needthat artists should be in the company of other artists forcollaboration, inspiration and encouragement, Soulful Salonhas become a safe haven for Los Angeles-based artists tocommonwealth every third Sunday of the month.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; AdultsT R I KO N EHrishi Sathawane, Co-ChairPO Box 14161San Francisco, CA 94114EMAIL: trikone@trikone.orgPHONE: 415-487-8778MISSION: “Trikone is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profitorganization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenderedpeople of South Asian descent. Founded in 1986 in theSan Francisco Bay Area, Trikone is the oldest group of its kindin the world. South Asians affiliated with Trikone trace theirethnicities to one of the following places: Afghanistan,Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar (Burma),Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tibet.”ORIGINS: “Trikone was started in 1986 by Arvind Kumar andAshok Jethanandani. This is the oldest, still-surviving LGBTorganization for South Asians in the world. Starting in1991,once every five years or so, Trikone organizes a conferencecalled DesiQ (www.desiq.org) on South Asian LGBT issues.Trikone also has a Quarterly Magazine called Trikone.Trikone also started organizing annually a fun cultural nightwith food, dance and performances called Kulture Kulcha(www.kulturekulcha.org) in 2001. Trikone actively participatesin San Francisco and San Jose Pride Parades. We also have a lotof other small get-togethers like potlucks etc. Trikone in thepast also organized a Film Festival on South Asian, LGBT folks.This festival is called QFilmistan.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; South Asians9CALIFORNIA

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSZU NA I NSTITUTEFrancine Ramsey, Executive Director4660 Natomas Blvd 120-181Sacramento, CA 95835EMAIL: framsey@zunainstitute.orgPHONE: 916-419-5075FAX: 916-419-0738MISSION: “Zuna Institute is a national advocacy organizationfor black lesbians that was created to address the needs ofblack lesbians in the areas of health, public policy, economicdevelopment and education.”ORIGINS: “In 1999, Zuna Institute was born at the kitchen tableof sistahs who believe that the black lesbian community canbenefit from a national presence. The discussion focusedon creating an organization that would advocate on behalfof black lesbians on a national level. It is apparent that blacklesbians across the country are doing the grassroots workto improve the quality of our lives. Zuna wants to build onthis work by creating an organization that would advocateour position on issues on a national level and bridge thegap between geographically dispersed organizations andcommunities to provide a vehicle where we can join forcesto become a more viable national community. Throughcommunity organizing, training and networking, Zuna Institutewill focus on eliminating barriers that black lesbians facewithin the black community based on sexual orientation andin the LGBT community based on race.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: NationalPOPULATIONS: Lesbians; Adults; Aging/Elders/Senior Citizens;Women; People of African Descent; Black LesbiansCOLORADOI N TERNAT I O N A L P R I D E& P OW E R O RGAN I ZAT I O NIfalade TaShia Asanti, Director9249 S. Broadway, #200-423Highlands Ranch, CO 80129EMAIL: allthewords@aol.comPHONE: 303-298-1792FAX: 303-298-1792MISSION: “A project of the National Institute for IndigenousCultural Studies, the International Pride and Power Organizationworks to create visibility, support and resources for theconcerns of SGLBT & LGBTQ members of the African-Americancommunity in the United States and abroad.”ORIGINS: “The organization is also a clearinghouse for health,culture and art-related news, events and projects. Theorganization hosts workshops, conferences and retreats wherecultural communities across identities can meet to discusspertinent socio-political issues. This organization was foundedas a result of a need for an organization that would serveas a bridge between social-class institutions in the SGLBTQcommunity that are sometimes divided by class, economic andsocial status. This group's basic foundation is based ingrassroots activism and cultural affirmation.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: National (Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY;Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA; Washington, DC; Denver, CO; andSanta Fe, NM)POPULATIONS: SameGender Loving Bisexual Transgender &Queer; Adults; People of Color, General; Earth-Based Spirituality;Poor/Economically Disadvantaged; People Living withHIV/AIDS; Military/Veterans10CALIFORNIACOLORADO

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSTWO S PI RIT S O C I ETY O F D E N V E RJoey Criddle, Co-Director909 Lafayette St. #703Denver, CO 80218PHONE: 303-832-4296MISSION: “To reclaim the traditional place of Two Spirit people(GLBT Native Americans) in the sacred circle that we hadbefore the coming of the Europeans. To educate both Nativeand non-Native people about Two Spirit issues.”ORIGINS: “In 1999 a few of the Two Spirit people in Denvercame together to officially organize as a society. We had beento Two Spirit gatherings around the country and decided itwas time to organize a society here in Denver.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: International (US, Canada, Mexico andSouth America)POPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Native American; LesbiansGEORGIAI N TH E L I FE AT L A N TA, I N C .Kenneth Jones, President346 Auburn Ave., Ste. 126Atlanta, GA 30032EMAIL: info@inthelifeatl.comPHONE: 404-634-4069FAX: 404-506-9730MISSION: “Our mission is to promote unity, pride, selfempowerment,and positive visibility within Atlanta's Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community of African descentthrough education, advocacy, and coalition buildingprograms.”ORIGINS: “In 1996, a small group of African American lesbianand gay friends held a picnic over Labor Day weekend tocelebrate their unique experience in Atlanta’s LGBT community.Each year, the group grew with others from the communityand neighboring cities. As the celebration grew, ITLA andAtlanta Black Pride were born.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; State; Multi-State; National;InternationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; People of African Descent;Multiracial/BiracialN ATIONAL A I D S E D U CAT I O N & S ERVICESFOR M I N O R I T I E S, I N C .Rudolph H. Carn, CEO2140 M. L. King Jr., DriveAtlanta, GA 30310EMAIL: info@naesmonline.orgPHONE: 404-691-8880FAX: 404-691-8811MISSION: “The mission of NAESM is to educate communities ofcolor (primarily African Americans) on the facts about HIV/AIDS(education and prevention) and to make health care and socialservices available to people of color with early or advancedstages of HIV/AIDS regardless of their sexual orientation.”ORIGINS: “In the spirit of hope, there came a vision. A visiondeeply rooted in the hearts and minds of its founders, RudolphH. Carn, and the late Mae Reed, and the late Edna M. Brown.National AIDS Education & Services for Minorities was createdin an effort to counteract the ever increasing spread ofHIV/AIDS in communities of color. Since the opening of itsdoors in 1990, NAESM has taken great pride in serving Atlanta’sminority community. As a non-profit, community-basedorganization, NAESM is a beacon of hope for those in need oflove and understanding.”11COLORADOGEORGIA

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: NationalPOPULATIONS: Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming;Gay Men; Adults; People of African Descent; Multiracial/Biracial;Poor/Economically Disadvantaged; People Living with HIV/AIDSZAMI, I NC.Mary Anne Adams, Board Chair1291 Conway RoadDecatur, GA 30030EMAIL: zami@zami.orgPHONE: 404-370-0920VOICE: 404-370-1392MISSION: “ZAMI, Inc. is a not-for-profit collective for lesbians ofAfrican descent residing in the Atlanta Metropolitan area.ZAMI's primary mission is to empower and affirm the lives oflesbians of color through advocacy, leadership development,support/discussion groups, social/cultural activities, drumperformances, outreach and education. ZAMI provides scholarshipsto out lesbians and gay men of color and sponsors specialprogramming to develop the leadership potential of younglesbians and to honor the life and legacy of Audre Lorde.”ORIGINS: “In October 1989, in Atlanta, a Women of ColorCaucus (WOCC) was created by lesbian members of theAfrican-American Lesbian and Gay Alliance (AALGA) to focuson their political, social, economic, and personal needs. In June1990, WOCC members voted to secede from AALGA in order tobecome an autonomous entity. Ever evolving, these womenrenamed themselves ZAMI — a Carriacou word meaningwomen who work together as friends and lovers. The nameZAMI also honors the late Audre Lorde, a Black lesbian feministwho was poet laureate for New York state and who wrote thebiomythography ZAMI: A New Spelling of My Name. For mostof its existence, ZAMI provided a support base of discussion,information and programming for lesbians of African descentin the Atlanta area. In February 1997, ZAMI narrowed its focusto promote, enhance and sustain the Audre Lorde ScholarshipFund. In February 2001, ZAMI began to sponsor four monthlysupport groups borne out of a need of the community.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; NationalPOPULATIONS: Lesbians; Gay Men; Adults; Women; People ofAfrican DescentHAWAIIKU L I A N A M A M OAshliana Hawelu-Fulgoni, CSAP/SAMSHA1108 Fort Street Mall, #2AHonolulu, HI 96819EMAIL: ashliana1@hotmail.comPHONE: 808-791-2020FAX: 808-791-2021MISSION: “Kulia Na Mamo plans and provides health, education,cultural and social services for disadvantaged people of color,with a special focus on transgendered people, and conductsother activities that promote their health and well-being.”ORIGINS: “Kulia Na Mamo started its operation with five majormembers making up the board of directors and eventuallyhired one staff (an executive director) who assisted in buildingthe infrastructure of the organization, tailored to both stateand federal requirements and regulations. To date, Kulia’sboard of directors consists of 10 members and eight staff.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: StatePOPULATIONS: Transgender and Gender-Non-Conforming;Gay Men; Adults; Aging/Elders/Senior Citizens; People ofColor, General; Asian/Pacific Islanders; Hawaiian; Christian;People Living with HIV/AIDS; Sex Workers12GEORGIAHAWAII

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSILLINOISAFFI N ITY COMMU N ITY S E RV ICESChris Smith, Board President5650 S. WoodlawnChicago, IL 60637EMAIL: affinity95@aol.comPHONE: 773-324-0377FAX: 773-324-0695MISSION: “Site based resource, advocacy, community building,and organizing to support: visibility, empowerment, leadershipopportunities of Black lesbian and bisexual women in theareas of health, economic empowerment, anti-violence, andto form resistance against racist, sexist, and homophobicinstitutions/movements.”ORIGINS: “Based on Chicago's south side to respond to thedearth of resources organized and led by LGBT institutions/individuals of African descent.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; StatePOPULATIONS: Lesbians; Adults; Women; People of AfricanDescentAMIGAS L AT I N ASAurora Pineda & Alicia Vega, Board Co-ChairsPO Box 10124Chicago, IL 60610EMAIL: info@amigaslatinas.orgPHONE: 312-409-5697MISSION: “Amigas Latinas mission is to empower Latinawomen who love and partner with women (Lesbian, Bi-sexual,Transgender, & Questioning) by providing a safe environment,personal growth, support, education, and advocacy to impactfamily, friends and the larger communities we live in.”ORIGINS: “Amigas Latinas Founder and former Co-Chair, EvetteCardona, started the organization by gathering a dozen ormore LBTQ Latina women in the summer of 1995. From thisfirst gathering, discussions, support groups, workshops andsocial activities developed in order to serve the needs of allLBTQ Latina women in the Chicago-land area.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: Bisexual, Lesbians; Questioning Latina Women;Adults; Hispanic/Latina and LatinoA S S O C I ATION O F L ATI N O MEN FOR AC TION(ALMA)Carlos Castillon, Executive DirectorPO Box 13159Chicago, IL 60613PHONE: 773-929-7688MISSION: “Empowering Latino, gay, bisexual and questioningmen by providing support, advocacy and leadership opportunitiesthrough innovative cultural programming.”ORIGINS: “ALMA was founded by four Latino gay men in 1989to address the growing needs of the Latino gay, bisexual andquestioning men's community in Chicago. We were and stillare the only openly gay Latino non-profit organization servingthis population that is not an AIDS/HIV or health-relatedorganization. ALMA developed a number of specific educationaland support programs for GBQ Latino men and was the firstLatino gay organization to march in the Mexican, Puerto Ricanand gay parades in Chicago, which received both local andnational media attention. The result of those activities was therecognition by the Latino community, local politicians and civicleaders that the gay community was made up of more thanjust white men. ALMA has played a leadership role on a13ILLINOIS

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSnumber of local and national issues ranging from marriageequality to immigration. In 2000, we were inducted into the city’sgay & lesbian Hall of Fame for our work in the Latino gaycommunity. In 2004 we were the first Latino gay organization toreceive funding from the Chicago Community Trust under its"Nuestro Futuro" Initiative. ALMA has accomplished these thingsthrough a network of community volunteers and has been avolunteer run and lead organization up until recently. In 2006,ALMA hired its first executive director.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; StatePOPULATIONS: Bisexual; Gay Men; Questioning Latino Men;Hispanic/Latina and Latino; Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees; Poor/Economically DisadvantagedS AN KO FA WAY S P I R ITUAL S E RV I C E S, I N C .Deborah Lake, Founder/Executive Director4722 S. Greenwood Ave., 2EChicago, IL 60615EMAIL: sankofaway@sankofaway.orgPHONE: 773-793-5211FAX: 773-624-5689MISSION: “Our mission is to facilitate spiritual growth andemotional healing in people and communities using aninterfaith approach. Our goal is to address social issues thatthreaten the mental health, safety, and wellbeing of allpeople.”ORIGINS: “Sankofa Way Spiritual Services, Inc. emerged in 2004as a small non-profit organization dedicated to addressing theemotional, social, and spiritual needs of two major groups ofpeople: African Americans living with HIV/AIDS and AfricanAmerican lesbians.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: NationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Men; Women; Transgenderand Gender Non-Conforming; People of Color, General; Peopleof African Descent; Multiracial/Biracial; Poor/EconomicallyDisadvantaged; People Living with HIV/AIDSKENTUCKYT R ANSSISTAHS-TRANSBROTHASDawn Wilson or Rev Joshua Holiday, Managing PartnersPO Box 612Louisville, KY 40203EMAIL: dawn.wilson@chartercom.comPHONE: 502-899-9139FAX: 502-416-6403MISSION: “Our mission is to uplift African-American Transgenderpeople, challenge the negative stereotypes about us, andbuild a unified African-American transgender community.”ORIGINS: “Transistahs-Transbrothas was founded on January 1,2004 by Monica Roberts. She noted that the fragmented African-American transgender community lacked a national organizationor support services similar to the web of organizations thatthe Caucasian transgender community has built up over thelast 20 years. There was an additional need for information andservices geared toward solving problems unique to African-American transgender people combined with a desire forcommunity building on a national scale. It started with aweb-based Internet list of 20 people that rapidly grew to 400members. Transsistahs-Transbrothas members planned andexecuted two multi-day Louisville, KY conferences in 2005-2006 in which subjects were discussed ranging from the mediaimages of African-American transpeople, hate crimes andHIV/AIDS to brainstorming community building strategies.TSTB members are currently planning the 2007 conference,14ILLINOISKENTUCKY

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSwhich will take place in Louisville, KY.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: NationalPOPULATIONS: Transgender and Gender-Non-Conforming;People of African Descent; People Living with HIV/AIDSMARYLANDFI RE & I N K, I N C .Lisa C. Moore, Board PresidentPO Box 5042Hyattsville, MD 20782EMAIL: info@fireandink.orgPHONE: 301-559-5239FAX: 301-559-5239MISSION: “Fire & Ink is devoted to increasing the understanding,visibility and awareness of the works of gay, lesbian,bisexual and transgender writers of African descent andheritage.”ORIGINS: “We began as a group of seven writers who organizeda national conference for LGBT writers of African descent in2002. At the same time, I personally experienced a house fire,in which I lost all my belongings. Since then, the conferenceattendees expressed the need to have Fire & Ink continue.Fire & Ink subsequently formed a board and incorporated inthe state of Maryland.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: NationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Adults; Men; Women; People ofAfrican DescentMASSACHUSETTSB O STO N M A S A L ASarav Chithambaram, Steering Committee Member20 Chestnut St., Unit 307Cambridge, MA 02139EMAIL: bostonsarav@hotmail.comPHONE: 617-335-3907MISSION: “MASALA, based in Boston, is an organization thatreaches out to provide a safe and supportive social environmentfor Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans, and Questioning New EnglandbasedSouth Asians (from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan,Burma, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tibet,and from the global South Asian Diaspora).”ORIGINS: “The organization emerged as a social group 11 yearsback. Few South Asian GLBT members in Boston got togetherfor a lunch gathering and it was the beginning of a wonderfuljourney. The organization provides social and support for GLBTSouth Asian community members and friends.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: State; Multi-state (New England)Populations: LGBTQ, General; Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming; Bisexual; Lesbians; Gay Men; South AsianS OMOS L AT I N O / A S LGBT COALITION O FM A S S AC HUSETTSWilfred Labiosam, Co-ChairPO Box 990707Boston, MA 02199EMAIL: somoslatinoslgbt@gmail.comPHONE: 617-461-9307MISSION: “Somos Latin@s LGBT Coalition is a group by andfor the self-identified Latino/a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and15KENTUCKYMARYLANDMASSACHUSETTS

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSTransgender Community of Massachusetts, that works towardsthe advancement, recognition and education of Latino/asLGBT related issues by the general population, and providessafe spaces, activities, and social support to its members.”ORIGINS: “We emerged after a group of Latino/as GLBT individualsnoticed that there were no support social groups for and bythemselves. We conducted for many years grass-groots levelevents and formalized these events after we noticed the needfor them.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Multi-state (CT, MA and RI)POPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Transgender and GenderNon-Conforming; Hispanic/Latina and Latino;Multiracial/Biracial; Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees;Poor/Economically DisadvantagedQ U EER A S IAN PAC I F IC A L L I A N C ESteering CommitteeBoston, MAEMAIL: qapa@qapa.orgMISSION: “QAPA is committed to providing a supportive social,political, and educational environment for lesbian, gay,bisexual, transgender, and questioning people of Asian andPacific Islander heritage (this is inclusive of A/PIs, A/PIAmericans and those who are of mixed A/PI heritage) in theBoston and New England area.”ORIGINS: “Founded in 1979 by four friends, QAPA, formerlyAMALGM, is the oldest Asian queer organization in the UnitedStates.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Adults; Asian/Pacific IslandersMICHIGANA L G AMEAChris Ayoub Ramazzotti, Co-ChairPO Box 471Hazel Park, MI 48030EMAIL: Chris_mi48030@yahoo.comPHONE: 313-729-7515FAX: 313-584 - 3078MISSION: “A human services organization established forsupport, socialization, education, and awareness in the GLBTMiddle Eastern community.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: StatePOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Transgender and GenderNon-Conforming; Children and Youth; Adults; Men; Women;Arab and Iranian; Middle Eastern; People of Faith, General;Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees; Incarcerated/FormerlyIncarcerated; Poor/Economically Disadvantaged; People Livingwith HIV/AIDSKARI B U HOUSEKofi Adoma, President17800 Woodward Avenue, Suite LL4Detroit, MI 48203EMAIL: kofiadoma@karibuhouse.orgMISSION: “Karibu House is a non-profit, multi-servicecommunity center that exists to promote the positive mental,physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being and identities forlesbians, gay men, bi-attracted, and transgender (LGBT)persons of color.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Adults; Men; Women; People16MASSACHUSETTSMICHIGAN

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSof Color, General; People of Faith, General; Poor/EconomicallyDisadvantaged; People Living with HIV/AIDSBLAC K PRI D E S O C I E T YHenry (Hank) Millbourne, PresidentPO Box 3025Detroit, MI 48231EMAIL: info@hotterthanjuly.comPHONE: 888-755-9165FAX: 866-441-6798MISSION: “Nurture pride in our community through thecelebration of culture, self-identity and empowerment forblack same-gender-loving people in Detroit & beyond.”ORIGINS: “In 1995, Men of Color Motivational Group, adiscussion group for Black same gender loving men, joinedwith community organizers, business leaders, advocates andallies and made a commitment to work collectively to set forthon an ambitious mission establishing what is now known asDetroit's Hotter Than July, Detroit's annual Black LGBT/SGLcelebration. In 1996 Detroit celebrated its first black pride asa community with one voice. Detroit's Hotter Than July wasborn with the official support of the Baldwin Parker Society,Billionaire Boys' Club, A. Lorde Collective, Kick Publishing Co.,Men Of Color Motivational Group, Project Survival, Ladiesof A Current Affair and Full Truth Unity Fellowship Church.Today, Detroit's Hotter Than July is produced by the Black PrideSociety (formerly known as Detroit Black Gay Pride Inc.or DBGPride Inc.). Members on the board are selected fromparticipating community based organizations, businesses,leaders and individual activist within our community.In pride, our community grows through collective works,initiated to produce a celebration that nurtures our identityand culture. Through pride we practice the kwanza principleof ‘Ujima,’ to empower all same-gender-loving, lesbian, gay,bi-affectionate and transgender people of African descent inDetroit and beyond.”POPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Lesbians; Gay Men; People ofAfrican DescentL A COMU N I DADReynaldo Magdaleno, Coordinator429 LivernoisFerndale, MI 48220EMAIL: RMAGDAL1979@aol.comPHONE: 734-796-0910FAX: 248-545-3313MISSION: “La Comunidad is a program created to provideinformation, education, support and social activities, as well asfoster pride for the Latino/a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendercommunities in Michigan.”ORIGINS: “There is a growing number of Latino Gays, Lesbians,Bisexuals, and Transgenders in Michigan. However, the variousneeds of this specific growing population have not been addressedin a sensitive/appropriate manner. In recognition ofthe need for such a group, Midwest Aids Prevention Project(MAPP) formed a group called ‘La Comunidad’ in Septemberof 2000. In English it translates to ‘The Community.’ Since theestablishment of "La Comunidad" we have organizedmeetings, health forums, dances and movie nights in theMetro Detroit area. This year we are focusing on opening newchapters around Michigan to organize more activitiesand make new friends. ‘La Comunidad’ does not discriminate!We welcome all races, religions, genders, social classes andpolitical preferences.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: State17MICHIGAN

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Hispanic/ Latina and Latino;Native AmericanMINNESOTAS O U L E S S ENCEJoseph Ward, Director5820 10th Avenue SouthMinneapolis, MN 55417EMAIL: SoulEssenceMn@aol.comPHONE: 612-414-2102MISSION: “Building relationships, embracing PRIDE andcreating a sense of well being for the African American LGBTcommunity.”ORIGINS: “We organized in the fall of 2002 as a result of a needfor a stronger representation of LGBT African Americans in theTwin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Our numbers aregrowing and we were not represented in many organizations.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: StatePOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; People of African Descent;People of Faith, General; Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees;Incarcerated/Formerly Incarcerated; People with Disabilities;Poor/Economically Disadvantaged; People Living withHIV/AIDSTWO S PI RIT PRESS RO OMRichard LaFortune, National Director2512 33rd Av S #2Minneapolis, MN 55406EMAIL: twospiritpressroom@yahoo.comPHONE: 612-267-1682FAX: 612-871-0731MISSION: “2SPR is a catalyst for media literacy for Native GLBTorganizations and organizers, as well as cultural literacy andcompetence for our allies. We build community throughinformation sharing and strive to build human-, material-,information and policy -as well as philanthropic- resources by,for and about Native people.”ORIGINS: “2SPR was created in 2005 in part as the result of aseries of remote national teleconferences that we scheduled inresponse to very hostile environments faced by Native LGBTcommunity members in separate regions of the country.Native grassroots organizers were responding to localexpressions of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act), whichrepresented a basic attempt to overturn thousands of years ofculturally anchored tolerance, acceptance and spiritualpractice. We realized that our communities had outgrown ouroriginal networks, and that we now needed to equip ourselveswith resources on a regional and national scale. However,our presence was not always visible to the GLBT community,and journalism has not been dependable in accuratelyportraying our cultures and social conditions.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: State; NationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Children and Youth; Adults;Aging/Elders/Senior Citizens; Men; Women; Transgender andGender Non-Conforming; People of Color, General; NativeAmerican; Mainstream Non-GLBT audiences; Ecumenical andPre-Christian (Aboriginal); Incarcerated/Formerly Incarcerated;People with Disabilities; Poor/Economically Disadvantaged;People Living with HIV/AIDS; Sex Workers; International IndigenousPeople/Tribal People without BordersNEW JERSEYHU D S O N P R I D E CO N N ECTIONSGuido Sanchez, Executive Director18MINNESOTANEW JERSEY

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS34 Jones StreetJersey City, NJ 07306EMAIL: hpc@hudsonpride.orgPHONE: 201-963-4779FAX: 201-963-7983MISSION: “Hudson Pride Connections (formerly Jersey CityConnections) is a 501(c)(3) bridging the gap in services andresponding to the unmet needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual,and transgender community, as well as HIV-positive people ofany orientation/identity, through supportive socialservices, prevention, outreach, advocacy and developmenttrainings for other service providers, to educate, empower,and unite all of our communities.”ORIGINS: “LGBT activists of color were concerned with the lackof AIDS services and social services in general in 1993 and metto form.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Transgender and GenderNon-Conforming; People of Color, General; Poor/EconomicallyDisadvantaged; People Living with HIV/AIDS; Sex WorkersNEW YORKASSAL EAST COASTNew York, NYEMAIL: labwas@yahoo.comMISSION: “Social support group for Arab, Iranian and ArmenianLBT women.”ORIGINS: “Off-shoot from gay and lesbian Arab society, a groupin NYC for Arab gays and lesbians. GLAS is mostly mendominated,so the women formed a group on their own.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Multi-State (East coast from MA to VA)POPULATIONS: Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming;Bisexual; Lesbians; Women; Arab and Iranian;Immigrants/Newcomers/RefugeesAU D R E L O R D E P ROJ ECTKris Hayashi, Executive Director85 South Oxford StreetBrooklyn, NY 11217EMAIL: khayashi@alp.orgPHONE: 718-596-0342FAX: 718-596-1328MISSION: “The Audre Lorde Project (ALP) is a Lesbian, Gay,Bisexual, Two Spirit and Trans (LGBTST) People of Color (POC)center for community organizing, focusing on the NYC area.Through mobilization, education and capacity-building, wework for community wellness, and progressive social andeconomic justice. Committed to struggle across differences,we seek to responsibly reflect, represent and serve our variouscommunities.”ORIGINS: “ALP is an organization created by and for LGBTSTPeople of Color. The Audre Lorde Project was first initiated asan organizing effort by Advocates for Gay Men of Color (amulti-racial network of gay men of color HIV policy advocates)in 1994. Working with member organizations of what wasthen called the People of Color Steering Committee, Advocatesfor Gay Men of Color organized town meetings throughoutNYC in late 1994-1995 to develop a community center to meetthe needs of LGBTST People of Color. The vision for ALP grewout of the desire for innovative strategies to address the multipleissues impacting LGBTST People of Color, in particular needsnot fully addressed by the dominant groups addressing genderand sexual orientation issues. ALP secured its current Brooklynhome in 1996. In 1999, ALP adjusted its focus from acommunity center to a center for community organizing to19NEW JERSEYNEW YORK

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSbetter reflect the aspirations and needs of LGBTST Peopleof Color communities. This change sharpened our focus on anaction-oriented organizing agenda as opposed to a strategyfocused on service delivery.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Transgender and GenderNon-Conforming; Children and Youth; People of Color, General;Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees; Poor/EconomicallyDisadvantaged; People Living with HIV/AIDSTH E DARI PROJ E C TStephen Kang, Coordinating Committee MemberNew York, NYEMAIL: dari@dariproject.orgPHONE: 718-618-4763MISSION: “The Dari Project was created to develop resourcesthat increase understanding and awareness in the KoreanAmerican community of the issues faced by LGBTQ people ofKorean descent by documenting our lives and stories.The project is a grassroots volunteer-driven effort.”ORIGINS: “Queer Korean American community members met inthe summer of 2005. We saw the need to organize and developpersonal documentations of the lives of LGBT Koreans and KoreanAmericans in order to educate Korean families and communities.The meeting started out called ‘The Queer Korean ResourceProject’ and soon became ‘The Dari Project.’ Dari means bridge.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; Multi-state; National; InternationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Asian/Pacific Islanders; Korean,Korean Americans, Korean Adoptees, and Bi-Racial Koreans;People of Faith, General; Christian; Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees (1st, 1.5 and 2nd generations)FI ERCERickke Mananzala, Co-Director147 West 24th St., 6th FloorNew York, NY 10011EMAIL: rickke@fiercenyc.orgPHONE: 646-336-6789FAX: 646-336-6788MISSION: “FIERCE is a community organization for Transgender,Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Queer, and Questioning(TLGBTSQQ) youth of color in New York City. We are dedicatedto exploring and building power in our communitiesthrough a mix of leadership development, artistic and culturalactivism, political education, and campaign developmentwhile taking care of ourselves and each other. Origins: FIERCEwas born in the beginning of March 2000, out of an intensepolitical moment in NYC where police brutality was rampantand growing in communities of color. The FIERCE founderswanted to create a rightful place for LGBT youth of colorto share their experiences with police brutality in the WestVillage within the broader anti-police brutality movement,as well as encourage the broader LGBT movement toacknowledge racism, gentrification, and police brutality as anLGBT issue.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Transgender and GenderNon-Conforming; Children and youth; Women; People of color,General; People of African Descent; Hispanic/ Latina andLatino; Multiracial/Biracial; Poor/Economically Disadvantaged;People Living with HIV/AIDS; Sex WorkersFRUTA E X T R ANA I N C .Eric Booth, President/CEO/Director/Producer841 Barretto Street20NEW YORK

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSBronx, NY 10474EMAIL: info@frutaextrana.orgPHONE: 718-842-5223MISSION: “Fruta Extrana Inc., is a not-for-profit organizationthat produces Fruta Extraña TV. The organization was createdto manage and host activities that are exclusively charitableand educational. Fruta Extrana Inc. provides the Latino andBlack lesbian, gay, bisexual, two spirit and transgender(LGBTST) community in New York City with health, educationand cultural support. Fruta Extrana Inc. brings several differentservices to this broad community, serving as a link connectingindividuals with necessary resources while providing a forumfor discussion and education. Including its charitable andeducational purposes, the Fruta Extrana Inc. ( Fruta ExtrañaTV) shall: (1) Produce and broadcast a bilingual (Spanish-English) public-access cable television program addressingmatters that affect the Black and Latino LGBTST community;(2) Create and maintain a website dedicated to issues ofimportance to the Black and Latino LGBTST Community;(3) Educate, encourage and assist the Black and Latino LGBTSTcommunities of New York City by publicizing available localresources such as artists, activists, health centers, crisiscenters, support groups etc. that provide support for theLGBTST communities. Fruta Extrana will perform any and allacts that may be necessary, useful, suitable, or proper for thefurtherance, accomplishment, or attainment of any of theactivities describes above.”ORIGINS: “From 1997 to 2003, Eric Booth has been producing agay soap opera called Strange Fruits on Public Access Televisionfrom that show he got the idea of a bi-lingual LGBT Talk Showdealing with black/Latino issues of the Bronx because mainstreamLGBT media wasn't covering our issues.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, g=General; People of Color, General;Hispanic/Latina and Latino; Multiracial/BiracialG AY & L E S B I A N D OMI N I CANE M P OW E R M E N T O RGAN I ZATION (GALDE)Francisco J. Lazala, Founder and Executive Director24 West 25th Street, 9th floorNew York, NY 10010EMAIL: Flazala@galde.orgPHONE: 212-584-9311FAX: 212-675-3466MISSION: “The Gay and Lesbian Dominican EmpowermentOrganization (GALDE) was founded in November 2001. Weseek to increase the political visibility of the Dominican LGBTcommunity and to provide HIV/health awareness, educational,and cultural activities. We intend to provide a safe space andessential human services to empower, educate and supportLesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Dominicans. We seekto organize and advocate on behalf of the Dominican LGBTcommunity in the political arena as well as combatinghomophobia through educational and social activities. Weplan to integrate massive outreach and educational efforts toinclude the many members of our community to help themlive better lives.”ORIGINS: “A group of us in the early 1990's started to notice abig increase of LGBT Dominicans that were coming out.There was no specific group targeting the needs of the LGBTDominican community, so we ran several focus groups andfound out that the community wanted/needed an organizationthat can better address their needs as LGBT Dominicans.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; International (Dominican Republic)POPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Men; Women; Transgenderand Gender Non-Conforming; Hispanic/ Latina and Latino;21NEW YORK

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSDominican; Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees; People Livingwith HIV/AIDS; Sex WorkersGAY A S IAN AN D PAC I F IC ISLAN D E R M E NO F N EW YO R KGlenn D. Magpantay, Steering Committee MemberPO Box 1608Old Chelsea StationNew York, NY 10113EMAIL: gapimny@gapimny.orgPHONE: 212-802-RICE (7423)MISSION: “GAPIMNY provides a safe and supportive social,political, and educational forum for gay, bisexual, transgender,and questioning Asian and Pacific Islander men in the New Yorkmetropolitan area. Meetings are held on the third Friday ofeach month at The Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center.”ORIGINS: “In March 1990, an API-facilitated racism workshopsponsored by Men of All Colors Together (MACT) provided anopportunity to outreach and generate interest for New York's firstGay API-only group. Later that month, seven Gay Men of Indian,Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean descent, immigrant andUS-born, came together at the virginal encounter of GAPIMNY(Gay Asian & Pacific Islander Men of New York).”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; Multi-State (NJ and NY)POPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Gay Men; Adults; Men;Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming; Asian/PacificIslanders; Immigrants/Newcomers/RefugeesGRIOT C I RCLE, I N C .Regina V. Shaver, Executive Director25 Flatbush Avenue, 5th FloorBrooklyn, NY 11217EMAIL: regina@griotcirrcle.orgPHONE: 718 246-2775FAX: 718 246-2572MISSION: “GRIOT (Gay Reunion In Our Times) Circle is acommunity-based organization which seeks to maintain a safespace for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)people of color. We provide emotional support and qualityprogramming in order to counteract the effects of ageism,racism, sexism and homophobia on this fragmented andmarginalized population.”ORIGINS: “Founded over 10 years ago as an informal gatheringof elders, GRIOT Circle was officially recognized as a nonprofit501(c)(3) on 1996. To this date, GRIOT Circle remains the onlyorganization exclusively dedicated to serving the needs ofElder LGBT people of color. Members of this community havebeen systematically overlooked and underserved, and havehad to endure discrimination and violence on at least fourseparate levels-on their sex, age, race, and sexual orientation.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Aging/Elders/Senior Citizens;Men; Women; Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming;People of Color, General; People of African Descent;Afro-Caribbean; Poor/Economically Disadvantaged; PeopleLiving with HIV/AIDST H E HOUSE O F M A N O L O BLAH N I KDamon L. Humes, MHS, House Father103 East 125th Street, Suite 503New York, NY 10035EMAIL: houseofblahnik@yahoo.comPHONE: 215-431-1790FAX: 212-828-166122NEW YORK

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSMISSION: “The House of Manolo Blahnik was founded in2000 by African American and Latino gay and transgenderpersons whose primary goal was to form a social network ofprogressive, supportive, and creative individuals dedicatedto developing and garnishing the talents and gifts of the‘ballroom’ community. Our mission is to positively affect thesocial development of our members and to provide nurturingspaces for self-expression, and personal and professionalgrowth.”ORIGINs: “The House of Manolo Blahnik began as a visionbetween two friends: Legendary Runway, Jay Ebony andLegendary Realness, Preston Ebony. These two, along withUp-and-Coming Michael Ebony, Jasmine and Hector Infinitibecame the driving force behind the project to launch a newhouse from the ground, up. The vision was for unity andpeer-support among members of the African-American andLatino ballroom communities. Members from then existinghouses met for more than 2 months to collaborate on whateach wanted from a House experience and conceptualize andtheorize about how each desire could be brought to fruition.The result was, ‘Manolo Blahnik,’ which now representsthe first fusion between the African-American and Latinoballroom houses. The House of Manolo Blahnik officiallyopened in May of 2000, at the Legends’ Ball. That night, theballroom community took notice of the newly formed housedressed in all white. That night, the house of ‘Manolo Blahnik’took home the most trophies of any other competing house.That night, a new chapter in ballroom history was created, asthe House members chanted, hugged and helped each otherthroughout the night. Father, Jay Manolo Blahnik and thenMother, Jasmine Manolo Blahnik, effectively lead their childreninto the ranks of the truly ‘fab’ Houses. Much unlike the othernewer houses appearing in ballroom, the ‘Manolo Blahnik’House had something special that could not be easily ignored– unity. Now, the House has dramatically increased membership,growing from the original 12 members, to more than100. Blahnik members are based throughout the East coastand the Midwest in the following cities/states: Chicago,Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, New Jersey, Baltimore,Connecticut, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Miamiand Philadelphia.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: National (GA, CT, FL, Il, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY,OH, PA and SC )POPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Children and Youth; Men;Women; Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming; People ofColor, General; Poor/Economically DisadvantagedI N O U R OW N VO I C ESTandra LaGrone, Executive Director245 Lark StreetAlbany, NY 12210EMAIL: info@inourownvoices.orgPHONE: 518-432-4188MISSION: “IOOV’s mission is to work for and ensure thephysical, mental, spiritual, wellness and growth of the lesbian,gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, POC communities. Our goalsare to develop the leadership of LGBTQ POC; strengthen thevoices of LGBTQ POC in order to effectively communicate ourperspectives within the larger community and strengthen ourcapacity as LGBTQ POC to combat oppression and marginalization.In Our Own Voices currently is working on a variety ofprojects an initiative on domestic violence in the LGBTQ POCcommunity, substance and alcohol abuse in the LGBTQ POCcommunity, and other family and wellness initiatives that allowus to educate our communities so that they may better armthemselves to face their social, physical, and spiritualobstacle.”ORIGINS: “In Our Own Voices, Inc. is a collaborative organization23NEW YORK

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSof lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer people ofcolor (LGBTQ POC) that grew out of the joint efforts of threesocial activist groups: the Feminist Action Network (FAN),Sisters and Brothers in the Life (SABIL); and the Gay Men ofColor Alliance (GMOCA). Later, they were joined by the SocialJustice Center. These organizations came together initially toencourage other human and civil rights groups to broadentheir agendas to include issues that affect LGBTQ POC.Today, In Our Own Voices (IOOV) stands as an autonomousorganization dedicated to addressing the many needs of theLGBT POC communities.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; StatePOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; People of Color, General;Asian/Pacific Islanders; People of African Descent; Hispanic/Latina and Latino; Native American; Arab and Iranian;Multiracial/Biracialwhich we are now building and expanding. All three foundershad attended churches in the African-American tradition formost of their lives, but left those churches when they foundthe environment oppressive to them as gay men. They formedLavender Light in order to allow their spirituality to encompasstheir sexual orientation. Although the group encompassesmany ethnic and spiritual backgrounds, the choir provides aspecial ministry to black lesbians and gays, who have historicallybeen pressured by their communities to choose between theirblackness and their gayness. Our repertoire includes gospel(old and new), spirituals, and anthems. We produce two fullconcerts a year and frequently appear as guests at communityfunctions from church services to Gay Pride rallies.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; People of African Descent;People of Faith, General24NEW YORKL AVEN D ER L I G H T G O S P E L C H O I RMaria Elena Grant, Co-Chair70A Greenwich Avenue #315New York, NY 10011EMAIL: mcjellyrol@aol.comPHONE: 212-714-7072MISSION: “Lavender Light Gospel Choir is dedicated to keepingalive the black gospel music tradition in an environmentsupportive to lesbian and gay people, with a special ministryto black lesbians and gays. Through our performances andrecordings, we seek to uplift, entertain and educate. We striveto be a visible force in this world, offering strength, peace andhope to our members and to our audiences.”ORIGINS: “Founded in 1985, Lavender Light is a mixed chorus(women and men). Our founders, Charles Bennett Brack, LidellJackson, and Tony Teal, laid a progressive foundation uponM A N O A M A N OAndres Duque, Director24 W 25th Street, 9th FloorNew York, NY 10010EMAIL: aduque@latinoaids.orgPHONE: 212-584-9306FAX: 212-675-3466MISSION: “Mano a Mano is a network of NY-based Latinolesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizationsand activists that was formed in January of 1997 as aninitiative of the Latino Commission on AIDS, Inc. Mano aMano’s mission is to increase the well-being, visibility andpolitical power of the Latino LGBT communities as a means todefeat the inequalities that the community faces.”ORIGINS: “There is a rich history of Latino LGBT organizing inNYC but it has often been fragmented and complex in its

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSdiversity. Most organizations are small and social in natureand some organized along gender lines while others aroundethnic identity/country of origin. Mano a Mano began asan attempt to bring together eight to 10 organizations thatexisted at the time.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; InternationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Hispanic/ Latina and Latino;Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees; People Living with HIV/AIDSN EW YO RK STAT E B L AC K G AY N E T WO R KMark Jason McLaurin, Executive Director103 East 125th, Suite 503New York, NY 10035EMAIL: mmclaurin@nysbgn.orgPHONE: 212-828-9393FAX: 212-828-1661MISSION: “The Network, the only statewide coalition of its kindin the United States, consists of 16 diverse urban and ruralcommunity-based organizations committed to strengtheningthe capacity of individuals, communities, organizations, andgovernment agencies to identify and respond to the needsof Black Gay Men (BGM) and other Black men who regardlessof their sexual identity engage in same sex relationships.”ORIGINS: “Black gay community activists and leaders whoshared a vision that local, community-driven collaborationsshould be an essential and primary way to build capacitywithin communities and the organizations that serve themfounded the Network in 1998. Several Black gay communityadvocates articulated the need for an agenda serving Blackmen who practice same sex desire in a concept paper entitled‘Rethinking Current Strategies to Support Black GayCommunities in Responding to the HIV Epidemic.’”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: StatePOPULATIONS: Bisexual; Gay Men; Men; People of AfricanDescent; Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees; Incarcerated/Formerly Incarcerated; Poor/Economically Disadvantaged;People Living with HIV/AIDSN O RT H E A ST T WO - S P I R I T S O C I ETYThe Leadership CouncilNew York, NYEMAIL: info@ne2ss.orgMISSION: “Educate the LGBT and non-LGBT communities aboutindigenous and Two-Spirit histories and traditions; ensurecommunity cohesion amongst Two-Spirit people through thepromotion of health and spiritual wellbeing and by sharingour traditions with one another; outreach and build alliancesand coalitions with other community based organizations;increase the visibility of the Two-Spirit community; and ensurethe Two-Spirit community's needs and concerns are beingaddressed.”ORIGINS: “The NorthEast Two-Spirit Society emerged when afew Two-Spirits got together to create a communityorganization that would meet the social, cultural, wellbeingand wellness needs of our community. We also aimed toprovide education and to become a vocal part of the largercommunity to insure that Two-Spirits, Two-Spirit thinking, andTwo-Spirit solutions can be actualized, with the goal ofcreating a more just, sane, and sustainable world for all.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Multi-State (Northeast)POPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Adults;Native American25NEW YORK

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSPU ERTO RICAN I N I T IATIVE TOD EVELOP EMPOW E R M E N T (PRIDE)Luis A. Robles, President and Chair33-04 Junction Blvd, Unit 5-TJackson Heights, NY 11372EMAIL: lrobles@prideny.orgPHONE: 917-670-1986MISSION: “PRIDE Mission is to promote awareness and pride inour cultural and sexual identities, advocate for our communityvisibility and to provide safer space for discussion and expression.Our ultimate goal is to empower our community, our effortsfocus on identity, social, outreach and advocacy, educationand communication and to promote a positive self-image ofourselves.”ORIGINS: “PRIDE was founded in 1995 by a group of PuertoRican LGBT activists. In 1996 PRIDE first marched in the PuertoRican Day Parade in NYC, in 1997 we also marched in the GayParade in Puerto Rico and celebrated a successful campaignagainst oppressive HIV laws in Puerto Rico. Over the past yearswe have continued to celebrate and acknowledged theachievements of the Boricua/Latino LGBT in our annual PRIDEAwards, celebrated during the Puerto Rican heritage Month.”POPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Transgender and GenderNon-Conforming; Lesbians; Gay Men; Children and Youth;Adults; Men; Women; People of Color, General; Hispanic/Latina and Latino; People Living with HIV/AIDSQ U EER BLAC K C I N E M AAngel L. Brown, Executive Producer/ProgrammerPO Box 200595c/o Our Stories Productions, LLCSouth Ozone Park, NY 11420EMAIL: queerblackcinema@yahoo.comPHONE: 347-789-1070FAX: 347-789-1070MISSION: “Queer Black Cinema, New York’s First and OnlyBlack lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer monthlymicro-cinema series is a grassroots, volunteer-run organizationwhose mission is dedicated to showcasing independentnarrative and documentary works by U.S. and internationalBlack LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer)filmmakers about Black LGBTQ stories. We screen and promoteall artists of color by screening their trailers and original music.QBC film series takes place once every fourth week of themonth at the LGBT Community Center. All are welcome toattend regardless of their sexual orientation, race or gender.We aim to entertain, enlighten and educate through ourniche programming. Queer Black Cinema is an Our StoriesProductions, LLC project.”ORIGINS: “In January 2006, Queer Black Cinema launched atthe Audre Lorde Project in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Due to theinvisibility of positive imagery of the Black LGBTQ communityin the media (mainstream television, film, film festivals, etc.)as well as the lack of information and communication on howto get access to films centered on the Black LGBTQ community,Queer Black Cinema was born. QBC encourages filmmakersto create films, knowing there’s a venue specifically developedto display their works. QBC aims to be to filmmakers whatApollo is to some of the greatest musicians in the world- ahome to preserve our history and expose all to our stories. Inaddition, the film series aims to: advocate Black LGBTQ historyand reintroduce Black pioneer filmmakers/artists andgay-friendly activists by highlighting their accomplishments inthe QBC Who’s Who Preview Showcase; exhibit films that(1) highlight Black LGBTQ characters in leading roles that are26NEW YORK

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSseen in a positive non-stereotypical light (2) forefront thesignificance of Black-on-Black LGBTQ love/relationships; and(3) showcase Black artists in key production positions pivotalto the development of the film (i.e. director, executive producer/producer, writer); and create a space for supporters of BlackLGBTQ films to see quality films and upcoming filmmakersfirst works. In addition to screenings films, QBC also:showcases original music by musicians, composers and DJs ofcolor; premieres upcoming trailers and music videos ofindependent filmmakers and artists of color; enlightens andeducates the community by showcasing health public serviceannouncements regarding issues that affect Black/LGBTQcommunity such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer, etc; conductsReelTALK, QBC’s own question and answer discussion withparticipating filmmakers; and initiates long-lasting relationshipswith businesses and individuals who support the BlackLGBTQ population and provide the opportunity for QBC alliesto promote and network directly to the community.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: NationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; People of Color, General;People of African Descent; Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees;Incarcerated/Formerly Incarcerated; People with Disabilities;Poor/Economically Disadvantaged; People Living withHIV/AIDSQ -WAVEMari Morimoto, ChairNew York, NYEMAIL: info@q-wave.orgPHONE: 212-260-5584FAX: 212-260-5584MISSION: “Q-Wave is dedicated to strengthening the voices oflesbian/bisexual/queer women and transgender/gendervariant people of Asian descent. We strive to build a supportive,progressive community by promoting visibility and empowermentthrough social, political, and educational organizing.”ORIGINS: “Q-WAVE emerged out of the women’s working groupfrom a queer API conference held at NYU in the Spring of2004 that was entitled, ‘Gender & the Queer A/PI Experience’.Participants of the women’s working group, most of usstrangers up to that point, realized that we needed andwanted to create a group that would address our particularcommunity which had been lacking in the NY-Tristate areadespite the large Asian population. After the conference,we decided to publicize our intent to form a group specificallytargeting lesbian, bi, queer and questioning women of Asiandescent. In order to recruit more like-minded folks, volunteershanded out recruitment fliers for a yet unnamed group at the2004 Dyke March. The response was tremendous, over twodozen women showed up at the initial meeting in early July2004. Subsequent meetings were held throughout July andAugust during which participants discussed the type of groupthat they wanted and the type that they did not. Concurrentto this, a listserv was also set up by which interested womencould also participate by posting messages to a commonboard. Discussions ranged from deciding the name of thegroup, its membership policies, purpose and mission of sucha group, etc. Additionally, one of the most conversationsto emerge during that initial period was the recognition ofthe need to include gender-variant and trans folks to reflectour changing community. ‘Q-WAVE’, after a vote by thoseattending the meetings and those posting on the listserv,became official with its first general meeting in September '04.”POPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; People of Asian Descent;Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees27NEW YORK

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSU N ITY FELLOW S H I P C H U RCH M OVEMENTZachary G. Jones, Bishop2578 Atlantic Ave.Brooklyn, NY 11207EMAIL: ufcnyc@aol.comPHONE: 718-385-2406FAX: 718-399-3051MISSION: “Our Mission is to give spiritual guidance, feed thehungry and clothe the naked. We are a social justice ministry.”ORIGINS: “Twenty-five years ago the Arch Bishop Carl Beanwanted to have a place that people of the LGBT communityand people of faith can worship God and find help during thetime of the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: National (Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD;Buffalo, NY; Charlotte, SC; Detroit, MI; Long Beach, CA,Los Angeles, CA; Newark, NJ; New Brunswick, NJ; New YorkCity; Philadelphia, PA; Richmond, VA; Riverside, CA; Rochester,NY; and Washington, DC).POPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Transgender and GenderNon-Conforming; Bisexual; Lesbians; Gay Men; Two Spirit;Children and Youth; Adults; Aging/Elders/Senior Citizens;Men; Women; People of Color, General; People of AfricanDescent; Hispanic/ Latina and Latino; Multiracial/Biracial;People of Faith, General; Poor/Economically Disadvantaged;People Living with HIV/AIDSOHIOZ AMIThomas Shannon, OrganizerOberlin, OH 44074MISSION: “LGBTQI and questioning people of color: discussion,support, and social.”ORIGINS: “A need for support that wasn't being met in a mostlywhite queer group.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; People of Color, General;College StudentsOREGONB ROT H ER TO B ROT H E R , I NC.Darryl! L.C. Moch, Executive DirectorPO Box 3182Portland, OR 97208EMAIL: darryl@brotobropdx.orgPHONE: 503-417-7991MISSION: “Brother To Brother is a grassroots, non-profitcommunity based organization committed to service,advocacy, and support. B2B has been a vital organizationinvolved in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ)communities and in African American communitiesOur mission, began as ‘a support and advocacy organizationfor African American gay and bisexual males, their families,and friends living in the Portland metro area.’”ORIGINS: “Founded in 1993 to build community amongBlack gay and bisexual men, B2B, is a grassroots, non-profitcommunity based organization committed to service,advocacy, and support. B2B has been a vital organizationinvolved in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ)communities and in African American communities – helpingto raise awareness regarding the issues facing people ofcolor and sexual minorities. Our mission has afforded B2Bthe opportunity to build awareness and support regardinganti gay initiatives and facilitated support groups and socialand civic action events; led campaigns in the African American28NEW YORKOHIOOREGON

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONScommunity to engage in dialogue regarding LGBTQ issues;advocated for youth, focused on institutionalized racism(e.g. health disparities), provided cultural enrichment, andchallenged homophobia inherent in the Black community.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; StatePopulations: LGBTQ, General; Bisexual; Gay Men; AfricanAmerican/Black; Men; People of African Descent;People of Faith, General; Non-Religious; Poor/EconomicallyDisadvantaged; People Living with HIV/AIDS; GeneralCommunitynot discriminate against women because of their ethnicbackground and sexual orientations. It was very important tous that we worked to form a unified, unique, diverse, andcomfortable sisterhood. With the many issues that affect theLGBT community day to day, we also wanted to be a strongand active voice in the community by providing our serviceand leadership.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: NationalPOPULATIONS: Bisexual; Lesbians; Children and Youth; Adults;Women; People of Color, GeneralPENNSYLVANIABETA PH I OMEGA S O RO R ITY, I N C .Ruby Augustus, Philadelphia Chapter PresidentBeta Phi Omega Sorority, Inc.PO Box 7763Philadelphia, PA 19101EMAIL: betadeltachapter@betaphiomega.netPHONE: 206-203-BETAFAX: 203-203-BETAMISSION: “Beta Phi Omega Sorority, Inc. exemplifies a deeprooted, diverse, and unique representation of sisterhood andservice. Through community structure, award winningprograms, and constant high recognitions, we have made ourmark all over the Unites States and abroad. Our strategicpatterns of leadership and organizational visions have madetruth to our motto: ‘Excellence in sisterhood, victory withpride, and awareness through education.’ We pride ourselvesin doing exceptional service for over six years!”ORIGINS: “The Founding Diamonds marked the beginning ofwhat is nationally known as Beta Phi Omega Sorority, Inc. onJune 27, 2000. We wanted to start an organization that didBLACK GAY MEN'S LEADERSHIP COUNCILLee Carson, PresidentPO Box 22369Philadelphia, PA 19110EMAIL: lcarson@bgmlc.orgPHONE: 585-230-5888MISSION: “The mission of the BGMLC is to use advocacy, educationand community collaborations to empower Philadelphia'sdiverse communities of black gay men by focusing on theirsocial and political advancement and health and wellnessneeds, while developing local, regional and national leaders.”ORIGINS: “The BGMLC came about because there was a needfor an organization to address the multitude of challengesBlack gay men face in Philadelphia within and outside ofHIV/AIDS. There is only one other Black gay organization inPhiladelphia and their main focus, because of their funding ison HIV prevention. The BGMLC looks to address other areas inthis community such as homophobia, increase politicalawareness and involvement of Black LGBT's, build leadershipand inter-generational connections among younger and olderBlack gay men and address a variety of health issues impactingBlack gay men.”29OREGONPENNSYLVANIA

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: Gay Men; People of African DescentBLAC K LGBT A RCH IVIST S S O C I E T YO F PH I L ADELPH IAKevin Trimell Jones, Archivist5242 Walnut StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19139EMAIL: kevtrijo@gmail.comPHONE: 267-463-3729MISSION: “The mission of the organization is to collect, store,and preserve artifacts reflective of Philadelphia's Black lesbian,gay, bisexual and transgender communities; and, to work withorganizations and community members to effectivelydocument and catalogue items for future archival purposes.”ORIGINS: “In preparation for a Black gay pride event inPhiladelphia, I wanted to showcase some of the photographsthat a dear friend had collected over the years. In order tomake the ‘project’ more diverse, I asked others about itemsthey might have. Because there were so many items indifferent locations, I felt the community deserved an entitythat would help preserve and continue to document the richhistory of Philadelphia's LGBT community.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, general; People of African DescentTH E CO L O U R S O RGAN IZAT IONEarl Fowlkes, Interim Administrator1201 Chestnut St 15 FLPhiladelphia, PA 19107EMAIL: efowlkes@coloursinc.orgPHONE: 215-496-0330FAX: 215-496-0354MISSION: “The COLOURS Organization Inc. is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit agency founded in 1991 with an overall mission togarner the strengths and talents of sexual minority peopleof color—male, female, transgender, African American, Latino,Asian—to construct an affirming and caring communitythat protects us from the discrimination and ignorance of thelarger society and advances a positive community environmentwhich encourages self-caring, responsibility and progress.”ORIGINS: “The COLOURS Organization, Inc. began operation in1991 as a volunteer organization dedicated to the productionof COLOURS Magazine, a nationally respected publicationfor sexual minority people of color, and conducting informal,volunteer support groups for adults and youth in theAfrican American MSM community. With the receipt of fundingthrough the Philadelphia Department of Public Health in 1994,COLOURS hired its first staff members, and now, in additionto institutionalizing its previous activities, incorporating as anindependent organization, electing a board of directors and anadvisory board, and developing internal quality assurance andevaluation mechanisms.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Children and Youth; Adults;People of African Descent; Christian; Incarcerated/FormerlyIncarcerated; Poor/Economically Disadvantaged; People Livingwith HIV/AIDSG A L A E I (THE GAY AND LESBIAN LATINO AIDSEDUCATION INITIATIVE)Gloria Casarez, Executive Director1233 Locust Street, Third Floor - galaPhiladelphia, PA 19107EMAIL: gloria@galaei.org30PENNSYLVANIA

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSPHONE: 215-985-3382FAX: 215-985-3388MISSION: “GALAEI is devoted to creating an awareness of theissue that affect Philadelphia's Latino and LGBT communities.GALAEI's work focuses on improving the quality of life for allpeople, especially in the area of HIV/AIDS and other healthrelated issues and promotes accountability from all systemsthat serve them through education, representation andadvocacy. GALAEI's work addresses HIV/AIDS and sexualhealth, offering a wide range of prevention and care servicesfor youth and adults.”ORIGINS: “GALAEI was founded as a peer-based communityoutreach and education effort in 1989. We were founded byLGBT activists of color and under a model of harm reduction.We were particularly interested in reaching those individualswho were not being reached by the HIV/AIDS messages andorganizations at the time - these people included peopleof color, sex workers, transgender individuals, youth, and peoplewith limited English proficiency. All programs of the agencyhave grown out of this focus and the agency remains committedto serving under-served people at high risk for HIV infection.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Transgender and GenderNon-Conforming; Gay Men; High Risk-Taking YouthPH I L ADELPH I A B L AC K G AY P R I D E , I N C .Christopher Alston, President1201 Chestnut Street, 15th FloorPhiladelphia, PA 19107EMAIL: chris_Alston@cable.comcast.comPHONE: 215-873-3273FAX: 215-496-0354MISSION: “Philadelphia Black Gay Pride, Inc. (PBGP) wasorganized in August of 1999 to promote unity among AfricanAmericans and people of African Decent who are sexualminorities. The organization is committed to producing anannual celebration of ‘Black Pride,’ as well as organizing avariety of activities throughout the year in Philadelphia thatpromote and advocate for the spiritual, emotional, andintellectual health and well being of all related communities.”ORIGINS: “Philadelphia Black Gay Pride, Inc. was founded bythree members of the African American LGBT Community inPhiladelphia to promote unity among African Americans andpeople of African Decent who are sexual minorities. TodayPBGP has well over 50 volunteers running its operations.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; People of African DescentPUERTO RICOCOALICION O RGU L L O A RCO I RISOlga Orraca Paredes, CoordinatorPO Box 8836Fernandez Juncos StationSan Juan, PR 00910EMAIL: coapr@hotmail.comPHONE: 787-640-6129FAX: 787-793-7530MISSION: “To educate about LGBT communities (within and insociety at large) using visibility as its main strategy.”ORIGINS: “During the process of the organization of the firstPride March in Puerto Rico in 1991, a group of people decided tocreate a coalition to guarantee that the work was done yearlyand that it will represent the interest of all communities (LGBT).”31PENNSYLVANIAPUERTO RICO

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: NationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Men; Women; Transgender andGender Non-Conforming; People from Puerto Rico and theCaribbeanSOUTH CAROLINAPALMETTO UM OJARobert-John Hinojosa, PresidentPO Box 9203Columbia, SC 29290EMAIL: PalmettoUmoja@yahoo.comPHONE: 803-269-1496MISSION: “Palmetto Umoja is the only South Carolina organizationthat deals with the issues and visibility of gays, lesbians,bisexuals, transgenders and queers of color. It is the mission ofPalmetto Umoja to celebrate the diversity of the entire SouthCarolina gay community by spotlighting and responding to theconcerns and issues of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgenderand queer South Carolinians of color. We do this by: (1) raisingthe level of visibility for South Carolina gays, lesbians, bisexuals,transgenders and queers of color; (2) speaking out on issuesconcerning South Carolina gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendersand queers of color; and (3) forming outreach and coalitiongroups with other gay/queer and/or straight organizations ofcolor.”ORIGINS: “Palmetto Umoja was created by a concern LGBTQSouth Carolinians who felt left out and underrepresented inmainstream gay organizations. A large part of why we came tobe was to diminish the stereotypes that folks of color are notqueer or in community.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: StatePOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; People of Color, GeneralTEXASA L LGOPriscilla A. Hale, LMSWDirector of Organizational Development701 Tillery Box 4Austin, TX 78702EMAIL: priscilla@allgo.orgPHONE: 512-472-2001FAX: 512-385-2970MISSION: “ALLGO works towards its vision through cultural arts,health and advocacy programming by supporting artists andartistic expression within our diverse communities; promotinghealth within a wellness model; and mobilizing and buildingcoalitions among groups marginalized by race/ethnicity,gender/gender identity, sexual orientation/sexual identity toenact change.”ORIGINS: “Founded in 1985 by a group of Latina/o activists,artists and scholars, ALLGO holds a rich history of diverseradical organizing. While originally founded as a Latina/oLesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Organization, ALLGO’scultural semblance has richly evolved over the course of these20 years, with much of its diversification taking place withinthe first five years of its existence. Although often referred toas a Latina/o organization due to its founding, ALLGO’s richhistory of diverse people of color and ally constituency is fullyrepresented and engaged in the organization’s vision, missionand values, which in turn are reflected in all programmingaspects of our work.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: StatePOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; People of Color, General32SOUTH CAROLINATEXAS

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSAUSTI N RELAY PRI D ERod Bradley, Chairman/Founder6207 Breeze WayAustin, TX 78723EMAIL: bradleyROD@yahoo.comPHONE: 512-925-1179MISSION: “The mission of the Austin Relay Pride, formerlyAustin Relay 4 Life, is to provide the bridge to the black gaycommunity to build unity and pride.”ORIGINS: “Started out as a simple card party then 10 yearslater a Black gay pride.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: StatePOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Lesbians; Gay Men; Adults;Men; Women; People of Color, GeneralGAY A N D L ESBIAN L AT I N O RGAN I ZAT I O NAbel C. Rodriguez, Executive Director6234 Foxhunter Rd.Houston, TX 77049EMAIL: Houstongallo@yahoo.comPHONE: 713-710-0045MISSION: “We are a charitable, social and cultural organizationcreated to mobilize, motivate, educate, promote communitybuilding and involvement and to instill pride and advocacy inall GLBTQ Latinos and our allies.”ORIGINS: “Founded by two community activists who wereconcerned of the lack of representation and participation ofLatinos in the GLBTQ community of Houston.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: StatePOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Hispanic/ Latina and Latino;Multiracial/BiracialV I CA R I O U S P RO D U C TIONSReece Golding, Assistant DirectorPO Box 240212San Antonio, TX 78224EMAIL: vicaprod@aol.comPHONE: 646-342-8647MISSION: “Vicarious Productions produces LGBT and Hispanicproductions that tour through the United States and Canada.We strive to promote the culture and art of the gay Latinoexperience.”ORIGINS: “Director Jade Esteban Estrada founded theorganization in 2002 with the first production of ‘TortillaHeaven.’ We launched our seventh solo show in February2007.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: NationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Transgender and GenderNon-Conforming; Hispanic/ Latina and LatinoWASHINGTONE N TRE H E R M A N O SIrma Pedroza, Interim President1505 Broadway AvenueSeattle, WA 98122EMAIL: info@entrehermanos.orgPHONE: 206-322-7700FAX: 206-322-6755MISSION: “To promote the health and well being of the LatinoGay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community in aculturally, socially, and emotionally appropriate environment,creating a model conducive to the needs of the community.”33TEXASWASHINGTON

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSORIGINS: “EH came into being by the initiative of a group ofgay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Latinos/as that saw theneed for social, educational, and health support services intheir community in the spring of 1991. By December of 1992,the group was organized and carried out various activities toraise funds to cover its operating costs.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: StatePOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Adults; Hispanic/ Latina andLatino; Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees; Poor/EconomicallyDisadvantaged; People Living with HIV/AIDS; Sex WorkersNORTHWEST T WO - S P I R IT S O C I E T YRaven E. Heavy Runner, MSW, Board President3021 SW Bradford Street, Apt. 307Seattle, WA 98126EMAIL: raven_hr@hotmail.comPHONE: 206-420-7064MISSION: “NWTSS' mission is to educate society regarding FirstNation and Two-Spirit histories and traditions, to insurecommunity cohesion through the promotion of health,Two-Spirit visibility, and to provide training and outreach tothe Native and non-Native communities of the Northwest.”ORIGINS: “Our organization had been a small component ofthe organization, People of Color Against AIDS Network.After many meetings it was determined that the scope ofour concerns went beyond HIV/AIDS and in being a part ofPOCAAN limited our ability to address the identified scope ofTwo-Spirit issues/concerns. We began constructing anorganization that would later become a 501(c)(3), with thehopes of addressing the identified issues. We have had ournonprofit status for two years.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Multi-State (ID, MT, OR and WA)POPULATIONS: Two-Spirit People; Native AmericanT R I KO N E -NWMala Nagarajan, Board Director, Co-FounderPO Box 11741122 E Pike StSeattle, WA 98112EMAIL: tnw@trikone-nw.orgPHONE: 425-985-4376MISSION: “Trikone-NW's mission is to provide a supportive,empowering, and affirming community for differentlyoriented South Asians. We accomplish this through social,educational, and political means, addressing both symptomsand root causes of inequity and injustice. Providing andpromoting spaces that allow individuals to express their fullselves as South Asian and as queer. We believe that allindividuals, families and communities, culturally and/orself-defined, should be granted equal access to resources,should have equal opportunity, and equality protection andjustice under the law. As an organization, we also believe weare obligated to recognize the existence of relative situationalprivilege, power, access and opportunity; to leverage that toexpand our circle of influence; and to raise our voices to anyinjustice we observe. We aspire to create a safe and inclusiveworld where differently oriented South Asians can freelyexpress themselves and reach their unlimited potential bybuilding community, increasing social and political visibility,and promoting racial and sexual equality.”ORIGINS: “In October 1997, out of a growing sense of individualand cultural isolation, two South Asian lesbians in Bellingham,WA started Trikone-NW as an informal social network to bringLGBTQ South Asians together. Gatherings included peoplefrom Vancouver BC and Seattle, and the two co-founders wereconnected with the growing LGBTQ South Asian nationallyactive network. Trikone-NW remained a word-of-mouth forseveral years. Very few people in our community were out to34WASHINGTON

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONStheir families, out at work, or in any other spaces exceptonline. The diversity within our group was extremely broad interms of South Asian heritage. As a result, we only had 17people involved in the group. The pressure to stay connectedto our family (due to the isolation and alienation felt withinthe US because of immigration), the pressure within ourcommunity and families to get married, the pressure felt bysome differently oriented individuals to have a marriage ofconvenience—all of these left a heavy psychological, physical,and spiritual toll on the queer South Asians in our community.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; State; Multi-State (Montana, easternand central Washington, Belllingham, Everett, Tacoma,Olympia, and Portland, Oregon)POPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; South Asian (people with SouthAsian heritage); Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Zoroastrians,Christians, Catholics, Agnostics and Atheists.Q U EER PEOPLE O F CO L O R L I B E R AT I O N P ROJ E C TYasmeen Perez, Co-FounderPO Box 14047Seattle, WA 98114EMAIL: qpocliberation@gmail.comPHONE: 206- 467-9976MISSION: “QPOC Liberation Project is made up of a group ofSeattle-based artists, organizers, and activists who have cometogether to create a series of theatre productions and discussionseries. We find that white LGBTQ communities often ignorethe experiences and concerns of queer communities of color inperformances, politics, and social agendas. Communities ofcolor, although loving at times, can sometimes be unsupportive,hostile, and silencing towards queers. While we negotiatethrough both communities and attempt to form alliances, weas queer people of color will not wait for others to bridge thecultural divide. Instead, we make it our business to be visibleand validate ourselves, working to create spaces where queerpeople of color can build community, share stories, and organizeto end the multiple intersecting oppressions we face.”ORIGINS: “Building on work that has been happening in thecommunity, QPOC Liberation reworks politics, art, and educationinto an engaging series of performances designed to inspire,challenge, heal and transform. The organizers have foundinspiration from past performances such as ‘Visible,’ a queer,people of color performance show organized by Jed Lin andDenise Van De Cruz. ‘Visible’ provided queer people of color aspace to highlight their multifaceted identities throughspoken word, dance and other artistic forms of expression.Through the fiscal sponsorship of the Asian Pacific IslanderWomen & Family Safety Center, QPOC Lib. Project took flight.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Adults; People of Color, General;Queer People of ColorWASHINGTON, DCA L - FAT I HA FOUNDAT I O NMina Trudeau, ChairPO Box 33015Washington, DC 20033EMAIL: info@al-fatiha.orgMISSION: “Al-Fatiha Foundation is dedicated to Muslims whoare lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer andquestioning, those exploring their sexual orientation orgender identity, and their allies, families and friends. Al-Fatihapromotes the progressive Islamic notions of peace, equalityand justice. We envision a world that is free from prejudice,injustice and discrimination, where all people are fully35WASHINGTONWASHINGTON, DC

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSembraced and accepted into their faith, their families andtheir communities. Founded in 1998, Al-Fatiha Foundation isaregistered US-based non-profit, non-governmentalorganization.”ORIGINS: “Prior to the establishment of the Al-Fatiha Foundation,there was very little, if any, visibility of LGBTIQQ Muslims,and little support. Faisal Alam, who later become Al-Fatiha'sfounder, sent an anonymous email through Muslim and otheronline listservs to seek out other gay Muslims. Soon, severalqueer Muslims were in touch with each other online anddecided to meet in person. This then led to the first internationalgathering of queer Muslims. The gathering's attendeesdecided that it was vital that an organization exist to meet theneeds of queer Muslims and out of that decision, Al-FatihaFoundation was established.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: National; InternationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Gay Men; Men; Women;Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming; People of Color,General; Asian/Pacific Islanders; People of African Descent;Arab and Iranian; Multiracial/Biracial; Muslim; Immigrants/Newcomers/RefugeesAQ UA (ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER QUEERSUNITED FOR ACTION)Linh Hoang, Co-ChairBox 44135Washington, DC 20026EMAIL: aquadc@gmail.comMISSION: “We are an all-volunteer organization serving the gay,bisexual, transgender, and questioning members of the Asianand Pacific Islander community in the metro Washington, DCarea. AQUA is an organization for queer APIs, by queer APIs,focusing on queer API issues and interests. We strive to projecta positive image of queer API men in the community throughadvocacy, education, outreach and social events.”ORIGINS: “AQUA was founded in 1997 in Washington, DC. Aneed to better serve the queer API community arose, especiallyby a group whose agenda extended beyond just a social scope.Also, an organization run by queer APIs, for queer APIs was aneed expressed by many who were frustrated with the limitednumber of gay organizations a person could turn to (therewas only one local gay organization serving queer API men).Five friends—Chen, Denys, Lin, David, and Edwin—got togetherto do something about it. They started with a series of smallevents consisting mostly of potlucks, trips to films, andmah-jong games. The word began to spread among queerAsians about a small group whose members felt safe witheach other, and more importantly, where one can relate towhat it is like to be gay and Asian. Thus AQUA was formed.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Local; StatePOPULATIONS: Gay Men; Children and Youth; Adults; Men;Asian/Pacific Islanders; People of Faith, GeneralI N TERNAT I O N A L F EDERATIONO F B L AC K P R I D E S, I N C .Earl Fowlkes, President/CEOPO Box 1301Washington, DC 20013EMAIL: jrfowlkes@aol.comPHONE: 202-841-7104MISSION: “The IFBP is a coalition of Black Pride organizersformed to promote a multinational network of LGBT/SameGender Loving Pride and community-based organizationsdedicated to building solidarity, health and wellness, promotingunity, and ensuring the development of education, economicempowerment, and individual and collective work, responsibility,36WASHINGTON, DC

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSand self-determination.”ORIGINS: “The IFBP was organized during DC Black Pride ofMay, 1999 by a coalition of Black Pride organizers representingChicago, North Carolina (Charlotte), New York, Atlanta, Detroit,Minneapolis (Twin Cities), and Washington, DC. The organizerssaw a need to organize and now there are 28 Black Prides inthe United States and abroad to network, develop sponsorshipstrategies, provide technical assistance, mentor and supportone another. The IFBP acquired its 501(c)(3) status inNovember 2004.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: National; International (New England(Boston); New York City; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Washington,DC; Baltimore; Charlotte; Columbia, SC; Atlanta; Jacksonville;Tampa; Jackson, MS; Memphis; Nashville; St Louis; Chicago;Indianapolis; Detroit; Twin Cities, MN; Austin; Dallas; SanDiego; Los Angeles; Portland; and Seattle)POPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; People of African Descent; Peopleof Faith, GeneralKHUSH D CAman Luthra, Board Member At Large1765 Swann St NW, Apt 2Washington, DC 20009EMAIL: luthra.aman@gmail.comPHONE: 202-577-5072MISSION: “KhushDC is a social, support and political group thatprovides a safe and supportive environment, promotes awarenessand acceptance, and fosters positive cultural and sexual identityfor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ)and additional gender or sexual minority South Asians in theWashington, D.C. metropolitan area.”ORIGINS: “KhushDC founders Atul and Yassir met on the streetsof New York City in June of 1994 during Stonewall 25thAnniversary celebration. They were surprised to learn that theywere both from D.C., and while they spoke at the ‘Utsav’ inNew York City, they decided to start a group similar to NYC'sSALGA (South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association) when theyreturned to D.C. Flyers were posted and an ad the in the‘Washington Blade’ brought people to the first meeting at‘Luna Books.’ Before ‘Chutney Friday’ and the current social atmosphere,the emerging LGBTQ South Asian group in D.C. metat each other's homes and had small discussion groups. Thename ‘KhushDC’ was voted upon and won by a simplemajority. Recent organizational developments in KhushDCinclude the first ever KhushDC Board retreat in August 2004,followed by the formation of the KhushDC By-Laws and‘Policies and Procedures’ (ratified on April 17, 2005), an officialMembership structure, and KhushDC's first democratic BoardElections on July 31, 2005. November 2005 saw the formationof the KhushDC-Girls group, and the future may see theformation of KhushDC-Youth.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Adults; Asian/Pacific IslandersLGBT P E O P L E O F CO L O R N ETWO RKI NG AN DP RO FESSIONAL D EV E L O PMENT GRO U PNicholas Shigeru Sakurai, CoordinatorWashington, DCEMAIL: nick@sakurai.org (personal)PHONE: 202-641-3258 (personal)MISSION: “The purpose of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, andTransgender (LGBT) People of Color Networking and ProfessionalDevelopment Group is to provide opportunities for networking,information sharing, professional development, andempowerment by and for LGBT people of color in the D.C. areawho are working (paid or unpaid) for social and economic justice.37WASHINGTON, DC

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSThe focus of the group is on the *national* scene, but includessome people doing local/regional/unpaid work because of theimportance grassroots activism plays in impacting the nationalscene for LGBT people of color. Also, because we all live inthe D.C. area, we are impacted by local and regional happenings.The overall focus, however, remains on issues of broader nationaland sometimes international concern.”ORIGINS: “We are a network of LGBT people of color, most ofwhom work in national advocacy organizations in Washington,D.C. This group began as a lunch group that formed out ofdiscussions beginning in November 2004. The idea of gettingtogether was intended to create opportunity for the incubationof ideas and the sharing of information and strategies forsupporting ourselves and developing and strengtheningprogressive/radical, intersectional, multi-issue social justicemovements.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: National, InternationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; People of Color, General; Peopleof Faith, GeneralNATIONAL B L AC K J U ST I C E COA L I TIONH. Alexander Robinson, CEO700 12th Street, NW, Suite 300Washington, DC 20005EMAIL: arobinson@nbjc.orgPHONE: 202-319-7596 ext 11FAX: 202-319-0924MISSION: “NBJC is a civil rights organization dedicated toempowering African American same-gender-loving, lesbian,gay, bisexual, and transgendered people. The Coalition workswith our communities and our allies for social justice, equalityto end racism and homophobia.”ORIGINS: “The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) wasfounded as an ad hoc initiative to give voice to Black LGBTpeople and our allies who support civil rights including fullmarriage recognition for LGBT people. Within two years ofits founding NBJC grew to a full-fledged organization with anexpanded mission which included the development of anational structure to support the formation of an energeticself-determined movement for racial justice and an end todiscrimination based on sexual orientation. NBJC has forgedpartnerships and built coalitions that bring together diversegroups of religious leaders, educators, parents, feminists,and SGL/LGBT activists to lead our work.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Multi-State; National (CA, NJ, MD, MI and FL)POPULATIONS: Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming;Bisexual; Lesbians; Gay Men; Same-Gender Loving; Childrenand Youth; Adults; Men; Women; People of African Descent;Christian; Muslim; Buddhist; Secular; Poor/EconomicallyDisadvantaged; People Living with HIV/AIDS; LGBT StudentsTWO SPIRIT SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, DCMarlon Fixico, Founder2122 Massachusetts Ave NW, Apt 615Washington, DC 20008EMAIL: nativetouchdc@yahoo.comPHONE: 202-256-7836MISSION: “Our mission is to empower Indigenous Lesbian,Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Two-Spirit people throughsocial and culture activities.”ORIGINS: “A few of the local native gay men know each otherand decided to form a support group.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: LocalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Adults; Native American38WASHINGTON, DC

BUILDING COMMUNITIES » LIST OF ORGANIZATIONSU N I D @SSandra Telep, Female Chair8 15 16th NWc/o Pride At WorkWashington, DC 20006EMAIL: unidoslgbt@gmail.comPHONE: 202-487-9171MISSION: “Our Organizational Development committee iscurrently drafting our mission statement, but our visionstatement is: Unid@s, the National Latina/o LGBT HumanRights Organization is a Latina/o/ LGBT organization that isinclusive but not limited to our culture, ethnicity, and spirituality,led by diverse individuals, organizations and collective allies.This organization has a commitment to inclusiveness, visibility,solidarity and engagement of a wide network of local, stateand national constituents. We have a commitment to aprogressive, multi-issue focus, to a movement sustaining localactivism and to fostering membership to create sustainableefforts in our communities.”ORIGINS: “After the closing of LLEGO three years ago there wasa void left for a national Latino/a LGBT voice. Two organizationsbegan to develop: Unid@S and the National Latino/a Coalitionfor Justice (an organization focused on Marriage equality).In February of 2007 these two groups made the difficult decisionto consolidate into one group. This decision has led to Unid@semerging as the only organization for Latino/a LGBT peopleon the national level. The board of directors just had theirfirst, in-person meeting over the weekend of April 21-22, 2007to set their strategic plan.”GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: NationalPOPULATIONS: LGBTQ, General; Hispanic/ Latina and Latino;Immigrants/Newcomers/Refugees; Incarcerated/FormerlyIncarcerated; Poor/Economically Disadvantaged; People Livingwith HIV/AIDS; Sex Workers39WASHINGTON, DC116 East 16th Street7th FloorNew York, NY 10003Tel 212-475-2930Fax 212-982-3321www.lgbtfunders.org