Media Advisory
For Immediate Release
Contact: Irene Tung, 718-755-6750 (cell), itirenetung@gmail.com
In the Wake of Asian Christian Attacks on Gays During the Proposition 8 Trial, Groups To Announce First-Ever Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Contingent In Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade
Gay Chinese American Ordained Minister, His Mother, Chinese American Transgender Youth and Others To Speak About Why They Are Marching
What: Press conference to announce the participation of a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Contingent in New York’s Lunar New Year Parade for the first time in the parade’s 11-year history. Organizers herald the inclusion of an LGBTQ contingent in the parade as a major breakthrough for the visibility of LGBTQ people in the Asian American community. Organizers hope to draw attention to the ways that homophobia and discrimination continue to divide Asian American families and communities. Given that Lunar New Year is a time when families come together to strengthen communities, LGBTQ people are joining the Lunar New Year parade this year to challenge homophobia and honor all the different kinds of families within their communities.
In past years, LGBTQ people have been excluded from marching in other ethnic celebrations in New York City such as the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and the India Day Parade. The first day of the Lunar New Year is February 14th, 2010. The Lunar New Year Chinatown parade will take place the following Sunday on February 21st and is estimated will attract up to 400,000 spectators. Lunar New Year is traditionally celebrated in Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Tibetan and Mongolian cultures.
Who:
Patrick Cheng, gay Minister
Deanna Cheng, mother of Patrick Cheng
Jamie Tam, Chinese American transgender 21 year-old
Q-Wave
Gay Asian Pacific Islander Men of New York, (GAPIMNY)
Project Reach
When: Press conference – 12 Noon, Saturday January 30, 2010
Where: Chatham Square, the intersection of East Broadway, Bowery, and Mott Street
Take F to East Broadway, N R or 6 to Canal Street
*Photo Opportunity: Giant Rainbow Fish Puppets, a symbol of good fortune in the Lunar New Year* *Interviews in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese and Japanese available upon request.*
