QAPA :: Queer Asian Pacific-Islander Alliance

As every year, QAPA had a blast marching in Pride alongside MAP for Health and MASALA. This year was made extra special because we were joined by the Odaiko New England taiko drumming group. The QAPA truck pulled them on a flatbed behind the truck and as you can see from the picture, they put on quite a show! They really kicked our presence in the parade up a notch and we thank and appreciate them for their spirit of volunteerism and community. Extra thanks to  Odaiko for reaching out to us!

Odaiko NE drummers

As for the MAP for Health contingent, the staff at MAP kicked some ass preparing the truck with flags from different Asian nations and banners. They were greeted by throngs of parade-goers as the MAP folks stuffed attendees’ hands with safe sex packets.

MAP truck

MASALA changed up their routine this year — in addition to the fabulous tricycle-pulled rickshaw, they also had rainbow colored hot boys marching in unison, and you can bet they got some cat calls and cheers as they made their way through the crowd.

MASALA

And last but not not least, QAPA people represented by carrying our fuchsia banners down the parade route (no easy feat when it’s windy!) We used the same banners last year, and they had such a good reception, we decided to use them again this year. Among the QAPA banner carriers was our own Kristin, who announced that she’ll be stepping down from the QAPA steering committee due to her relocation to SF. She’ll be sorely missed, but we wish her well and thank her for her countless hours of dedication to QAPA.

We'll miss you, Kristin!

Looking forward to Pride 2010!!!

The Truck

Us with Sam Yoon!

I’d say this one was of the best Prides so far. By the time I arrived at the staging area, MAP and Asian Impact were already loading up the truck with the candy, water, and packets. Obviously, because we were actually in the parade, it was hard to see the front and tail end of it, but from what we saw around us, the participants were revved up, in costume, and ready to rock.

City councilman, Sam Yoon stopped by to say hi and take a picture. He told me his daughter’s name was Mimi too, and I said, “Oh, then she must be very pretty.” Heh heh.

Banners

Once the horns sounded, the parade was off, and QAPA, MAP, AI, and Masala were on the move. Our banners were raised high and the fuchsia really made them stand out — they looked awesome. All our volunteers (including Scooter) were decked out in the sashes and bandannas that Ellen had made and my only regret was that she wasn’t at Pride to see them in action.

There was so much energy from the crowd. They didn’t even know what we were passing out, but they still wanted it! Sex-packets and Starburst were stuffed into people’s eager hands. We were cheered and whistled at; we really felt the love that day.

Scoots on the move

I dare say the star of the show was our mascot, Scoots, who displayed her rainbow streamers with pride. As we blazed the parade route, I heard (gay) men, women, and children squeal when they saw Scoots approaching. It was sheer madness!

Words don’t do QAPA’s Pride experience justice, so try this video on for size:

Now that we had all the goods, it was time to put it all together. We had about 8 people at the Pride Planning Party, which ended up being a pizza party with some awesome Bertucci’s pizza (try the shrimp scampi pizza!) We hauled in the wood and fabric, Ellen drilled, Eugene sewed, Scooted scavenged food off the floor, and the rest of us packed safe-sex, packets, twisted string, fashioned streamers, stapled banners, taped up wood, and whatever else was left. At the end of five hours, we had some very hot looking banners, and a trash bag full of safe-sex packets. A big hand to everyone who helped out!