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I really enjoyed participating in the citizenship event and thought it really did make a big difference. Although I only worked with a couple of people, I saw that the turnout was significant. More than I expected on a rainy Saturday. I know the people that I helped -- especially the second fellow from Indonesia -- actually received information that signifcantly helped them clear up misconceptions of the legal system and put them much more at ease.

I agree that not only did the clients benefit, but so did the volunteers. I wore my AQUA t-shirt at the event and talked to other volunteers about what organization I was with and was warmly received by everyone. It is nice to be visible not only as an Asian but as a gay man, as well. I think this visibility and exposure in a positive atmosphere helps the greater population to internalize the normalcy that should be a given with respect to the LGBT community.

Alex

Dear friends,

     I believe that our participation at API citizenship workshop in Rockville, MD on November 14th went extremely well. I feel that words can't adequately capture the impact that we made. I had a great time and felt that we made a tremendous impact in three areas: on the clients who we served, the organizations that we helped, and the volunteers we recruited. I invite Anjali, Aaditi, and Vega's feedback here as all three did a great job organizing on behalf of and representing SAALT at the workshop, and Jen and Hong were among the volunteers who represented APIQS. Anjali, Aaditi, Vega, Jen, and Hong, what do you all think?

     Including Jen, Hong, and myself, 7 members of our API LGBTQ community, including an AQUA board member, volunteered. There would have been about 7 more including members or allies of APIQS, AQUA, NAPAWF-DC, and KhushDC, but the organizers and I had to regrettably turn them away because the organizers were at capacity for volunteers by last Wednesday/Thursday.