Shades of Yellow, the nation’s first and largest group for Hmong LGBT, will celebrate the new year on January 23 at the Prom Center in Oakdale from 4 to 8pm.

The event is the group’s 6th annual new year celebration complete with GLBT beauty pageant that culminates in the crowning of Mr./Miss SOY 2010, the sharing of coming out stories, and ally speeches.

Asian American Press recently spotlighted SOY and the work it does in building community among LGBT people with Hmong heritage in Minnesota:

To talk about the need for SOY, [executive director Kevin] Xiong reflected on his own experience. He came out in 2002 and having been close with his mother, he said she did not talk to him for a year. She finally asked him to explain what LGBTQ is and it led to her telling a story she her from her grandmother. As a youth she was told the story of a boy who was “acting a little flamboyant”, who was then abandoned in the forest.

“A very good friend of mine, Lupe Castillo, came up to me one day and said, ‘Kevin, SOY is that forest’,” said Xiong.

SOY’s mission is: To support a community of empowered Hmong LGBTQ to create positive cultural and social changes that enhance their lives and communities.

Event Details
Saturday, 23 January 2010
16:00 – 20:00
Prom Center 484 Inwood Ave. Oakdale Mn 55128
6th Annual Hmong GLBTQ “Shades of Yellow” New Year.
$7 in advance or $10 at the door.
Please contact Kevin Xiong ([email protected]) or Ming Lee ([email protected]) for more information.