Gay Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA) held their 20th anniversary celebration, “Urban Jungle,” at the SF Zoo on Dec. 6, featuring keynote speaker, comic actress Margaret Cho, and some lively singing and dancing. Tita Aida emceed the awards banquet and introduced F.U.S.I.O.N. (Funky Unique Styles In One Nation); GAPA Dance Company performing “Korean Fushion” to Madonna’s Music” and “Fan Dance” to “Please Don’t Stop the Music;” and the GAPA Men’s Chorus singing “My Romance” and several other songs.

“There are many civil rights milestones to be reflected upon,” said Co-chair Francis Tsang. “Forty years ago, Martin Luther King changed history with the Civil Rights Movement; thirty years ago, Harvey Milk changed history with the Gay Rights Movement; and twenty years ago, GAPA changed history for the Asian and Gay Community.” He said the purpose of establishing GAPA was “empowering the Asian and LGBT community, breaking stereotypes and fighting against the status quo, so that we can live our lives out loud and proud.” Co-chair Raphael Buencamino said, “In a time when HIV was devastating our communities, and a time when same-sex marriage was a fantasy, and when gay API people were turned away at bars and clubs, GAPA fought to bring our community out of the shadows to stand up and fight all those forces against us.” He added, “GAPA continues to lead the fight against HIV, especially among the API community at large. Now is the time to fight in courts, stand up, protest, and do what we can to bring change that we have dreamed of.”

 See Margaret Cho was in a Zoo for GAPA
San Francisco Bay Times, CA