The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance ( NQAPIA ) has named Glenn Magpantay its new executive director.
Magpantay was one of the founding members of the organization and prior to this appointment he served as the organization's co-director of development where his primary functions were development and fundraising.
"I couldn't be more proud and more excited," said Magpantay of his new role at NQAPIA.
NQAPIA is, according to its website, "a federation of LGBT Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander ( AAPI ) organizations. We seek to build the organizational capacity of local LGBT AAPI groups, develop leadership, promote visibility, educate our community, enhance grassroots organizing, expand collaborations, and challenge homophobia, transphobia and racism."
Magpantay, who is based in New York City, has been involved in LGBT organizing for about 30 years. He previously worked with the Asian-American Justice Center in Chicago and spent 16 years working as an attorney.
As for the future of NQAPIA, Magpantay said that the organization is building a new generation of LGBT Asian leaders and a network of activists that will join local groups such as i2i ( Invisible 2 Invincible API Pride of Chicago ) and Trikone Chicago as well as the development of LGBT Asians in the media.
"My work includes figuring out what LGBT Asian leaders across the country need and to support them so their work is more impactful, meaningful and recognized. LGBT Asian groups like i2i and Trikone are doing amazing work and they need support," said Magpantay.
"My commitment includes bringing everyone together so we can be fully recognized and our talents can come to the fore," said Magpantay. "This includes working on addressing racism in the LGBT community and addressing homophobia and transphobia in Asian-American communities."
Magpantay noted that for all the gains that the LGBT community has made with marriage equality and legal rights there is still a lack of social equality and acceptance. Public policy issues are important because they ensure LGBT people's equal rights but social and cultural change is where the work needs to be focused, Magpantay explained.
"We need to come to a point where we are accepted by our families, neighbors and in our churches as well as diversifying our movement to bring LGBT acceptance to all facets of American society including immigrants, racial minorities and people who don't speak English," said Magpantay.
Magpantay explained that he isn't worried about the opposition. He is worried about the people who should be on LGBT people's side such as family members and friends.
"As Asians, we still need to come out to our parents. We also have to explain to those in our community who don't speak English that being queer isn't a Western disease," said Magpantay. "We should be able to be out and fully accepted in all aspects of our lives but what happens is we go to the Pride Parade and celebrate who we are but have to go back in the closet when we are at family dinners and that's not right."
Magpantay said that Asians are the fastest growing minority group in the country and are the largest group of immigrants coming into the country and that not only do LGBT API's have to deal with acceptance due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity they also have to deal with issues surrounding immigration because many of them are undocumented immigrants.
"NQAPIA has experienced significant growth in recent years under Glenn's leadership. In his new role as executive director, Glenn is strategically positioned to drive further expansion in our programming, impact and budget," said Bex Ahuja, board co-chair of NQAPIA. "He excels in relationship-building, is results-oriented and is also firmly committed to consensus decision-making and collective practices in the spirit of collaboration and inclusiveness. The board is confident that he will drive NQAPIA towards continued success."
"Invisible to Invincible ( i2i ): Asian Pacific Islander Pride of Chicago is excited for Glenn's new role as Executive Director. Since NQAPIA's inception, Glenn has supported i2i's fundraising, grant writing, advocacy, and leadership development and our members have served on NQAPIA's Board of Directors, attended its conferences and leadership summits, and partnered with its other member groups," said Joy Messinger, i2i core member and former NQAPIA board member. "As the summer approaches, we look forward to continuing collaboration with Glenn as LGBTQ API people from all over the country convene in Chicago for NQAPIA's 2015 National Conference."
"Our conference will be spotlighting the amazing work that is being done in the Midwest. So often we talk about the work that is being done on the coasts but I think the coasts have something to learn from the work that Midwest LGBT API groups are doing," said Magpantay. "We are very excited to be bringing Asians from across the country to Chicago so they can learn from Chicagoans about how to do some of this work."
NQAPIA's conference will take place Aug. 6-9. See www.nqapia.org for more information.
