8th Annual Family Presentation Banquet

We have postponed the Annual Family Presentation Banquet until June 2, 2012. 
The expanded scope we planned for this year's Banquet could best be 
fulfilled if we allowed more time for its planning and execution.

We apologize for the disappointment of those who sent in their nominations to honor family and friends. Of course, we will carry those forward to June 2 and you can still nominate. Click here for Nomination Procedures.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement.

For all that you do.

Belinda

8th Annual Family Presentation Banquet
"Public Recognition Of Private Courage"

Honoring individual API families who proudly support their LGBT children, relatives,
and friends in spite of the prejudice they encounter.

D A T E :
June 2, 2012

Download the Nomination Procedures.

D E S C R I P T I O N :

The Family Presentation Banquet is A&PI Family Pride’s way of acknowledging the difficult process that our families go through to overcome homophobia and understand and accept LGBT family members as they are. It is an occasion to celebrate the private, personal struggles of love and transformation in our individual families with public acknowledgement from their children and a grateful community.

Family is a central concept in A&PI cultures. A&PIs are raised in extensive family and social networks and grow up with corresponding expectations about identity, mutual aid, and interdependence. Belonging to a family and being socially accepted beyond the family are important and vital attributes of an A&PI’s worldview. A&PI LGBTs, therefore, do not readily come out to their families fearing that the stigma attached to a different sexual identity may bring their families shame and isolation. Many A&PI parents and other family members have difficulties dealing with this sensitive topic. Belinda Dronkers-Laureta, A&PI-Family Pride’s Executive Director, has famously said: “When API LGBTs come out of the closet, their families go in.” Many families struggle with their own “coming out” process, grappling with conflicted feelings and fearing harsh judgment from other family members and the community as a whole. Sadly, some A&PI families reject their LGBT members once they disclose their alternate sexual orientation. For A&PI LGBTs this contributes to the trauma during what is already an emotionally and socially challenging period in their lives.

Fortunately, there are examples where the opposite happens: where love, loyalty, and courage combine to overcome homophobia and silence threadbare traditions. Many A&PI LGBT people have the open love and acceptance of parents, siblings and relatives, but often these families’ “coming out” struggles and successes remain private ones, kept close to heart and home. It is important that these private stories of love and courage come to be shared by others to serve as an inspiration to the A&PI community and most especially to young A&PI LGBTs who are just coming out to their families.