Archive for February, 2006

2006 Chinese New Year Parade – San Francisco

2006 Chinese New Year Parade
GRACE at the 2006 Chinese New Year Parade

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!
Year of the Fire Dog – 4704

Thanks for marching with us in the Lunar New Year Parade!

On Saturday Saturday, February 11th 2006, GRACE participated with the Network on Religion and Justice in a contingent with the GAPA float, along with a broad coalition of organizations:

PANA Institute, APIQWTC, CUAV, COLLAGE, TRIKONE, Our Family Coalition, Pacific School of Religion, Horizons Foundation, A&PI Wellness Center, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Equality California, Our Family Coalition, Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow and Robin Pugh, Gilbert Lee (GAPA), Asian Law Caucus, Bay Association of the United Church of Christ, and United Church of Hayward.

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Thank you for those who came out and marched for the Chinese New Year Parade. For those who weren’t able to make it – thank you for your wonderful spirit and prayers.  We had over 200 marchers, 60 of those people were from various church group denominations and we had 10 pastors in all- Methodist, UCC and Presbyterian!

This was the first time that Asian American religious leaders and church members had marched for LGBT equality in the Chinese New Year parade. Over a million people were watching the parade. This parade was a dream come true for me. Never had I imagined that I would have the opportunity to celebrate the joy of being a Gay Asian Christian in an Asian community with gay friends and God loving brothers and sisters- and pastors!!  I felt so much love and support, it was overwhelming. And behind my mask, I cried with joy and pride as people all around cheered us on. It was awesome!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers – PANA has received a grant to put together an educational video for the Asian Christian community about Asian and Pacific Islander (API) allies and API LGBT Christians. This will be subtitled in several Asian languages.

Please let us know if you or someone you know is willing to speak on this important topic.

Thank you for your prayers-
God bless,
Oneida

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