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About
AQUA DC

About
AQUA DC

WHO WE ARE

Built by the Community,
For the Community.

AQUA DC — Asian & Pacific Islander Queers United for Action — is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization building political power for queer, trans, and nonbinary AAPI people in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Founded in 1997, we sit at the intersection of two movements: the LGBTQ+ rights movement and the Asian American and Pacific Islander civil rights movement. Our work has always started from the belief that those two struggles are inseparable.

From our first API Pride contingent to our legislative advocacy on Capitol Hill, everything we do is rooted in community, solidarity, and joy.

28+

Years of community organizing in D.C.

3600+

Members across the DMV metro area

59+

Programs and events in 2025

13+

Federal bills tracked in 2025

OUR HISTORY

28 Years of Queer AAPI Power

1990s

1997

FOUNDING

AQUA DC Is Born

A small group of AAPI queer activists in Washington, D.C. form AQUA DC, believing queer identity and AAPI identity must be celebrated together, not separately.

1998

COMMUNITY

First API Pride Contingent

AQUA DC leads its first marching contingent in D.C.’s Capital Pride parade, carrying a banner that reads "Queer & Asian: Both, Always."

1999

PROGRAMS

QAPI Support Group Launches

The first confidential peer support group specifically for queer and trans AAPI individuals in the DMV begins meeting bi-weekly.

2000s

2001

MILESTONE

501(c)(3) Status Granted

AQUA DC receives official nonprofit status, unlocking the ability to accept tax-deductible donations and apply for grants to fund community programming.

2003

PARTNERSHIP

Capital Pride Alliance Partnership

A formal partnership with Capital Pride Alliance is established, giving AQUA DC a permanent, featured presence in D.C.’s annual Pride celebrations.

2005

CULTURE

QTAAPI Book Club Founded

Our monthly reading circle centering queer and trans AAPI authors begins, building political consciousness through shared literature and community storytelling.

2007

ADVOCACY

First Congressional Briefing

AQUA DC delivers its first policy briefing for congressional staff on the experiences of AAPI LGBTQ+ constituents, establishing our voice on Capitol Hill.

2009

GROWTH

500 Members Strong

AQUA DC’s community reaches 500 active members across the DMV, reflecting growing awareness of queer AAPI identity and political organizing in the region.

2010s

2011

ADVOCACY

Full-Time Advocacy Program

AQUA DC launches a dedicated legislative advocacy program, hiring its first policy staff to track and respond to legislation affecting queer AAPI communities.

2013

TESTIMONY

D.C. City Council Testimony

AQUA DC testifies before the D.C. City Council on protections for LGBTQ+ residents, representing the specific vulnerabilities faced by queer AAPI community members.

2015

CELEBRATION

Lunar New Year Celebration

The Annual AQUA DC Lunar New Year Celebration is established as a flagship social event, bringing together hundreds of community members to celebrate cultural identity and queer joy.

2017

MILESTONE

20th Anniversary Gala

AQUA DC celebrates 20 years with a gala that raises $50,000 for community programming — the largest fundraiser in the organization’s history at the time.

2018

COALITION

Equality Act Coalition

AQUA DC joins the national coalition supporting the Equality Act before Congress, advocating for explicit federal protections for LGBTQ+ Americans in housing, employment, and credit.

2019

PRIDE

API Pride Reaches 300+ Marchers

The API Pride contingent at Capital Pride surpasses 300 marchers for the first time, making it one of the largest identity-specific contingents in the parade.

2020s

2020

RESILIENCE

Virtual Community Pivot

During COVID-19, AQUA DC pivots all programming online — expanding reach nationally while doubling down on mutual aid and mental health resources for the community.

2021

COALITION

National AAPI LGBTQ+ Coalition

AQUA DC co-founds a national coalition of AAPI LGBTQ+ organizations with 12 partner groups, amplifying collective advocacy at the federal level.

2022

GROWTH

2,500+ Members Across the DMV

AQUA DC’s community surpasses 2,500 members, with active chapters and partner organizations throughout D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

2023

RESOURCES

Know Your Rights Hub

AQUA DC launches a dedicated “Know Your Rights” resource hub for trans and nonbinary AAPI residents of D.C., covering legal protections, healthcare access, and name-change resources.

2024

ADVOCACY

Legislative Tracker Launched

AQUA DC debuts its public-facing legislative tracker, monitoring anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-AAPI bills at the federal level and providing action alerts to over 3,000 community members.

2025

NOW

400+ Marchers & Capitol Lobby Day

API Pride reaches 400+ marchers. AQUA DC organizes a major lobby day on Capitol Hill with 40 members, tracking 13+ active anti-LGBTQ+ federal bills and building toward 2026.

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JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Be Part of Our Story

No membership fees. No barriers. AQUA DC is a community for everyone who believes that queer AAPI lives deserve to be celebrated and protected.

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