“I remember when I first came out,” recalls Patrick Mangto, “I went to the LA Gay & Lesbian Center. I was amazed by the programming and level of support that they offered the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning community. I felt that I had found a place where I belonged.”

But happiness quickly fell to dismay.

“I realized that they could help my gay identity. However, they could not address my concerns from an Asian perspective. For example, they couldn’t help me create a coming out process that was inclusive of my family. When a person comes out from a Western perspective, it is perceived as an individual act. Whereas coming out from an API viewpoint, it is a courageous act of acceptance by the family which may be stigmatized by the rest of Asian society. If they could not help me on such a fundamental level, I realized that there was a tremendous need within the community.”

Ten years later, Patrick Mangto went on to found Asian Pacific Islanders for Human Rights (APIHR), the nation’s first and only Asian/Pacific Islander (API) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexual, and Questioning (LGBTIQ) Center. Patrick works tirelessly as the Executive Director for APIHR in trying to offer programs for an underserved community. Two years after its inception, Patrick is proud to announce the grand opening of ‘Ohana House.

The name ‘Ohana House was selected because ‘Ohana was Hawaiian for family and we wanted to choose something that was both Asian American and was reflective of our culture’s value for family. It give the feeling of welcoming our community back home.

With the opening of ‘Ohana House, APIHR now is can offer programming in its own location. The space will allow not only the APIHR Youth Action Board to increase its programming, it also allows other API LGBTIQ community organizations a place to meet free of charge. It’s a tremendous leap forward in terms of community organizing and empowerment. Within its two offices decorated in Asian lanterns and festive colors, lies the ability for not just APIHR to meet, but other API LGBTIQ organizations.

The programs APIHR offers are meant to address issues affecting the API LGBTIQ on both the API societal level and to strengthen API LGBTIQ Youth Identity.

‘Ohana Hang Outs, which are gender-specific for API LGBTIQ youth 24 and under and held at ‘Ohana House every 3rd and 4th Saturdays of the month, give youth a safe space where they can be themselves. APIHR’s Youth Program, a unique program that is created by API youth for API youth, also has a Leadership Institute that empowers youth by providing workshops, speakers, and forums, a mentoring program, and internship opportunities. Arts and Culture events, such as hula dancing lessons, open microphone nights, and magazine building, give youth creative outlets to build social networks.

This summer APIHR starts the nation’s first API LGBT internship program. Interns will address a variety of issues from Policy, Programming, Outreach, and a variety of positions.

In addition, APIHR is kicking off its Anti Homophobia campaign. The campaign will address LGBTIQ acceptance within the API community in its native languages. The ads are running in Thai, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Chinese, Korean, Hindi, and Japanese newspapers.

The campaign runs statewide in California and will increase visibility by featuring openly out Asians, from community leaders to college students, who are looking to build tolerance in issues that affect them directly.

“The name of the organization was APIHR, was a homonym for “appear” because we really wanted there to be a movement within the API LGBTIQ to come to fruition,” says Patrick. “I’m glad to see that we finally have a landmark site to call our own. And I have a place to call home.”

For more information about internship opportunities or to find out more about APIHR, call 323-860.0876 or please go to www.apihr.org or e-mail Patrick Mangto at Pmangto@apihr.org.