“Many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender APIs don't believe they can come out to their parents,” said SBQA Social Chair Lee L, “This forum is so vital because it's important for LGBT sons and daughters to feel hope that their parents will accept them.”

Family is a cornerstone in API communities.  Issues of insularity, language, lack of resources and pressures to fulfill family roles make it difficult for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender APIs to talk about issues of sexual orientation and gender identity for fear of isolation.

In 1998, SBQA held the first Mother’s Day community forum. The mothers shared their stories about their children coming out, their first reactions, and how they learned acceptance.  So successful was the event that SBQA approached the coalition of LGBT API groups to create a forum that will outreach to the entire Bay Area community.

"As a mother, I want to make sure that all my children are happy and safe," said Belinda Dronkers-Laureta, a mother of a gay son herself and Co-Coordinator of API Family Pride, "I am honored to be given this opportunity to help bring understanding that will make the world a better place for my son and all children of API families."

Panelists include Dronkers-Laureta and her husband John; Leticia and Cesar Javier, whose eldest son is gay; Anh and Ken L, who also has a gay son; Dawning Chung, mother of a transgender woman; and others to be announced.

For more information about the community forum, please contact Ben Chan at either 415.292.3420 x362 or ben@apiwellness.org

Last updated at April 20th, 2003.