Asian/Pacific Lesbians and Gays (A/PLG) was created in 1980 to meet the needs of gay men and women of Asian and Pacific heritage and to provide a support system in their relations with their families and communities so as to understand and accept each other with caring and pride. The idea of forming an organization for gay Asians had been discussed before 1980, but an important impetus came from gay liberation pioneer Morris Kight, who then had an Asian partner. A/PLG strives to enhance identity, pride, personal growth, competence, empowerment, and leadership skills as well as inform its members of political and social issues. Other goals include building solidarity between Asian gay men and lesbians and between native Asian-Americans and those who had emigrated from other countries. The organization provides support groups, seminars, and social events for its members. In 1997, the name changed to its current form, Asian/Pacific Gays and Friends.

Sources:

Wat, Eric. The Making of a Gay Asian Community: An Oral History of Pre-AIDS Los Angeles. 2002.

Liebman, Roy. "Asian/Pacific Gays and Friends is turning 30!!" Asian/Pacific Gays and Friends website. http://www.apgf.org/a-pgf-history/. Accessed March 5, 2013.