Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness
Center Honors Absolute Empress Suzie Wong, Jade Ribbon Campaign,
and Trikone at “a tuesday in may” Celebration
Tonight in San Francisco
(San Francisco, May 06 2003)
Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center (A&PI Wellness
Center) tonight honored Absolute Empress Suzie Wong, the Jade
Ribbon Campaign, and Trikone at its annual “a tuesday
in may” awards gala. The festivities, featuring an awards
program, entertainment, and raffle, took place at the California
Culinary Academy, located in San Francisco’s Tenderloin
community.
Empress Suzie Wong received the Grassroots Award, which is
given to an unsung Asian or Pacific Islander who has worked
locally on behalf of A&PIs. Since 1987, Empress Suzie,
as a dignitary in the San Francisco chapter of the Imperial
Court, has organized fundraising events on behalf of A&PI
Wellness Center and has worked to provide a cohesive support
system for local charities. Remy Martin, Absolute Empress
19, Imperial Court of San Francisco, presented the Grassroots
Award to Empress Suzie.
The Jade Ribbon Campaign received the Ally Award, which recognizes
compassion and commitment in serving A&PI communities.
The Jade Ribbon Campaign is the only nonprofit organization
to increase awareness of Hepatitis B, which affects 1 in 10
Asian Americans. Thomas Young, MS, NP, Nurse Manager and Nurse
Practitioner for Ward 86 at UCSF/San Francisco General Hospital
Medical Center, presented the Ally Award to Dr. Samuel So,
founder of The Jade Ribbon Campaign. Trikone received the
National Award, which honors an individual or organization
who brings national visibility to HIV/AIDS issues in A&PI
communities. Since its founding in 1986, Trikone has offered
a supportive, empowering, and non-judgmental environment for
queer South Asians to meet, make connections, and proudly
promote awareness and acceptance of sexuality. Paula Ettelbrick,
Executive Director, and Daniel Lee, Interim Program Director,
International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission, presented
the National Award to Rakesh Modi, co-chair of Trikone.
The office of Assemblyman Leland Yee (D – 12th District)
concluded the formal program with special presentations to
the three community awards recipients.
Local community icon Tita Aida served as Mistress of Ceremonies
for the entertainment and raffle portion of the program. The
opening ceremony featured a Hawaiian chant performed by Kumu
Hula Tatiana Kaneholani, with later performances by the Rice
Girls, A&PI Wellness Center’s Ambassadors of HIV
Prevention and Education; the Metamorphosis Girls, a unique
and talented group of A&PI Wellness Center peer educators
who promote positive images of the Asian and Pacific Islander
transgender community; and Chardain Sue’Sue, who performed
Taualuga, the Samoan Friendship Dance.
Linda Huang and Devesh Khatu, members of A&PI Wellness
Center’s Board of Directors, served as co-chairs of
the “a tuesday in may” gala.
A&PI Wellness Center’s mission is to educate, support,
empower, and advocate for A&PI communities – particularly
A&PIs living with or at-risk for HIV/AIDS. A&PI Wellness
Center is the oldest and most comprehensive non-profit HIV/AIDS
services organization in North America targeting A&PI
communities.
For more information contact:
Esme Marconi
A&PI Wellness Center
415-292-3420 X341
esme@apiwellness.org
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