Invisible 2 Invincible: Asian Pacific Islander Pride of Chicago

Join us as we paint pumpkins and talk about power mapping--a way to identify who has power in the community, and identify the best individuals to target to promote social change.

Happening at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 19th at a core member’s home (will send you the address through DMs, text (872)-272-7512 or email us at [email protected]!)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPh9wS9DMRc/?img_index=1

Happy Mid-Autumn! Join us as we paint pumpkins and talk about power mapping - a way to identify who has power in the community, and identify the best individuals to target to promote social change Happening 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 19th at a Core member’s home (will send you the address through DMs, text (872)-272-7512 or email us at [email protected]!) #powermapping #autumngathering #aapi #aanhpi

We're so excited to support i2i Core Member Liz at the reading of the play that they wrote! It's happening on Monday, September 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are pay-what-you-can. Please join us!

https://www.universe.com/events/a-home-education-staged-reading-tickets-673YKQ

Join us for another play in our Parlor Reading Series:

A HOME EDUCATION
Written by Liz Haas
Directed by Denise Yvette Serna

Actors (from left to right): Joyce Lee, Emily Zhang, and Rasheeda Denise

Amelia and Claire, two homeschooled Asian American teenagers, meet in rehearsals for a Shakespeare play. Both chafe against the predominantly white, conservative homeschool environment in different ways. Because of this, they connect, and they soon realize they have feelings for each other. The play follows their evolving relationship as they continue to grow closer but have differing opinions about how to navigate their blossoming q***rness within the homeschooling community.

Monday, September 15th at 7:30pm at the Bramble Art’s Loft

Tickets are pay-what-you-can! And you can get them here: https://www.brambletheatre.org/tickets-events

Priority deadline has passed, but National Q***r Asian Pacific Islander Alliance is still looking for workshop proposals for their Midwest Regional Convening in September! This is a PAID opportunity!

We have a number of events going on in July, including two events this week!

Where will we see you?

Thursday, 7/10 - Full Moon Jam at Foster Beach
Saturday, 7/12 - Virtual Brunch (Open Meeting)
Thursday, 7/24 - QTAPI Mixer at Whiskey Girl Tavern
Tuesday, 7/29 - Book Club: Enter Ghost

RSVP for a Know Your Rights training on Tuesday, June 17th from 6-7 PM at bit.ly/cirrkyr. Please register by Saturday.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKh0vLkOXeB/

June is Pride Month and Immigrant Heritage Month! Join i2i as we host a Know Your Rights training for community members on June 17th. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Register at bit.ly/cirrkyr (link will be in our bio!) In-person, wheelchair-accessible location (Edgewater) will be provided after sign up Join for a free, in-person training on your rights with Federal ICE officers, resources for organizations and community members, and sharing our stories as q***r communities with immigration histories * Masks are required and will be provided if needed #KYR #ImmigrantHeritageMonth #knowyourrightstraining

This June, we honor both Pride and National Immigrant Heritage Month—two celebrations that remind us of the ongoing struggle for dignity, belonging, and justice.

REMEMBERING JONATHAN JOSS

On the first day of Pride, we lost Jonathan Joss, a beloved actor known for his work on King of the Hill and Parks & Recreation. Jonathan, who was of White Mountain Apache and Comanche ancestry, died in what his husband describes as a hate crime after enduring years of harassment from neighbors. Despite repeatedly seeking help from authorities, their pleas were ignored. We hold Jonathan's memory close and extend our deepest condolences to all who loved him.

STANDING WITH IMMIGRANTS

This week brought disturbing news of ICE raids in Chicago's Pilsen and South Loop neighborhoods. Among those unlawfully detained was Gladis Yolanda Chavez Pineda—a longtime Chicago resident, devoted mother and grandmother, and tireless community leader. She was unjustly detained during a routine ISAP check-in on June 4, 2025. Sign this petition demanding her immediate release.

PRIDE AS PROTEST

We share these painful stories not to overwhelm, but to remember: Pride was born from protest. In times of rising hate and far-right radicalization, our community must channel the revolutionary spirit of those who came before us. Now more than ever, we need you to engage with community organizing, contribute your skills and resources, and show up when it matters most.

YOUR CALL TO ACTION

Take a moment to reflect: What three concrete actions will you take this June to support q***r and trans people, immigrants, Indigenous communities, disabled folks, and other marginalized peoples? How will you embody your values through action?

MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER

Yes—let's celebrate. Let's find joy. Let's be loud and visible whenever possible. And let's fight for each other with the same fierce love and commitment our predecessors carried.

We are each other's harvest.

Join i2i at the Foundation For Asian American Independent Media 28th Annual Asian American Showcase!

We especially want to highlight "Choosing Ourselves: AAPI Q***r Shorts" on Tuesday, 5/20 at 8:30 p.m. and the Closing Night Feature "The Wedding Banquet" on Thursday, 5/22 at 7 p.m.

Two of our Core Members Lavannya and Soren helped curate the selection of Q***r Shorts, and Soren will interview the director of "The Wedding Banquet" Andrew Ahn!

Use the discount code "i2i28" for $8 off both the Q***r Shorts & The Wedding Banquet. Additionally, i2i is gifting five (5) free tickets for Q***r Shorts! Please DM or email us at i2ichicagopride [at] gmail [dot] com if you're interested in a free ticket.

This Wednesday is Asian American Action Day! We are excited to join Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago in Springfield to demand sanctuary for all!

As we round out April, here's our last Core Introduction for National Volunteer Month:

Soren/Bunny (he/him) is a bisexual/q***r genderfluid transmasc person who is Chinese (specifically a Chinese adoptee!).

How long have you been part of i2i?
I've been part of i2i since about 2022

What are your strengths?
I'd like to think that I'm creative, a good planner, and am pretty funny! I love to help build community events & spaces

What are your hobbies?
If I'm not listening to a podcast, I'm probably playing Stardew Valley!

What's your favorite q***r media?
Hard to choose! But one of my favorite movies is Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Anything else to share?
I'm a comedian, singer, and stylist when I'm not doing my day job, so if you've got a gig - hit me up! ;)