#charity announcement
ZINE CHARITY ANNOUNCEMENT
After viewing the results of the twitter/Instagram polls about which charity to donate to, the LGBTQI+ charity we have decided to donate to is “Rainbow Railroad”.
Who is Rainbow Railroad?
- Since they founded in 2006, Rainbow Railroad has helped more than 800 individuals find a path to safety to start a new life — free from persecution.
What do the donations go towards?
- Donations help provide information, resources and financial support to LGBTQI individuals living in fear and isolation due to government and police-supported persecution and violence. They provide funds to help individuals travel to a new country to seek asylum or, when possible, to move in-country to a safer location.
- Travel-related support can include funds to cover airfare, local travel costs, short-term accommodation while in transit and in their destination city, fees for passports and other travel documentation, and for basic needs such as clean clothes and luggage.
It costs approximately $10,000 to help an LGBTQI person find safety.
Find more information about Rainbow Railroad at https://www.rainbowrailroad.org
So 50% of our profits (after production costs are covered) will be split amongst everyone involved in this project and the remaining 50% will be donated to Rainbow Railroad!
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♂️Charity Announcement!♂️
Exciting news! The Iida Zine will be supporting @Mermaids_Gender, a wonderful charity that supports gender-diverse kids, young people, and their families. They do amazing work, and we know the Iida Bros would be proud to champion these amazing folks!
️ About our charity…NQAPIA!️
We’re excited to announce that all Rhymin’ Zine proceeds after production will be donated to the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), a US non-profit based in New York City serving as a federation for western LGBT organizations aiding citizens from all ethnically Asian backgrounds (East, South, Southeast, and Pacific Islander).
NQAPIA aims to “build the capacity of local LGBT AAPI organizations, invigorate grassroots organizing, develop leadership, and challenge homophobia, racism, and anti-immigrant bias.” As an intersectional organization, their work includes fighting for LGBT AAPI rights in Congress and in US Courts, providing therapy and healthcare resources for the uninsured, fighting against the rise of conservative politics in Asian communities, and advancing immigrants’ rights. Additionally, the organization is working in partnership with the NCTE to promote the upcoming 2022 U.S. Trans Survey.
Statistics
️ An estimated 22.5 million Asians and Pacific Islanders live in the U.S. (census.gov)
LGBT AAPI adults have higher rates of unemployment than non-LGBT AAPI adults (11% vs. 8%) (Williams Institute)
️ From March 19, 2020 to December 31, 2021, a total of 10,905 hate incidents against Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) persons were reported (Stop AAPI Hate)
131 hate crimes targeting Asians in New York were reported and confirmed in 2021 vs. 28 in 2020 (NYPD Statistics)
Why this cause?
The NQAPIA works towards advocating for queer rights in Asian communities across North America and are based in NYC–Min and Ryan’s dream city! Self-acceptance and living your life authentically against all odds–despite cultural, family, or societal pressures and expectations–are both themes prevalent in Book 4, which Asian people often struggle with due to generational trauma. There’s additional pressure for those who identify as queer, but this charity helps ease the pain by providing public educational resources and by advocating for gay rights among Asian communities.
Furthermore, the work of the NQAPIA benefits AAPI immigrants and diaspora like Min and Ryan, who are 1st or 2nd-generation and beyond, and dream of living their truths. The majority of our mod team is also part of the 1st-or 2nd-generation Asian-American diaspora and/or are part of the LGBTQ+ community, so this cause is very close to our hearts.
Action proves more important than ever due to the rising hate crimes and misguided aggression towards Asians as a result of the pandemic, alongside the continued exclusion of LGBTQ+ people due to propositions of anti-gay legislation in certain states. Through this zine, we hope to make a positive contribution to the ongoing battle for the freedom to love and for the acceptance of all people.
For more Anti-Asian violence resources, visit here
To donate to NQAPIA, visit here
To learn more about the Rhymin’ Zine, visit here
ContributorApplications for Rhymin’: A CCJ Zine open onApril15! Make some noise + get ready to rock!
