The San Francisco Bay Times on May 28, 2026, 6–10 pm, will present the second annual Celebrating Bay Area AAPI LGBTQ+ Women Leaders & Allies at the SF LGBT Center, where 16 of the region’s most accomplished individuals will be honored during Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
This year’s honorees are: Miki Adachi, Rajasvini Bhansali, Mel Y. Chen, Margaret Cho, Alice Y. Hom, Manisha Israni-Jiang, M.D., Cj Jiang, Jane Kim, Audrey Koh, M.D., Jen Masuda, Ruth McFarlane, Michelle Meow, Priti Narayanan, Hon. Donna M. Ryu, Lynn. T. Sugihara, and Michelle Zhang. We encourage you to read their biographies in this issue, and, if possible, to attend the event to show your appreciation for these leaders whose work continues to benefit, not only the LGBTQ+ community, but also other communities in the Bay Area and beyond. Reservations are at: https://bit.ly/4nFkf5I
Returning as Co-Emcees will be Madeleine Lim, the Founder of the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project; and Nguyen Pham, who is the President of the Mensa Foundation and Director of Sponsorships at SF Pride. ABC7 Lead News Anchor Dan Ashley; Shiyama Clunie, Senior Public Affairs Director of Kaiser Permanente; and San Francisco Bay Times Co-Publishers Betty Sullivan and Jennifer Viegas will provide the welcome.
Special guest honoree Margaret Cho will be introduced by a trio of drag stars: Khmera Rouge, Donna Sachet, and Sister Roma. Internationally-recognized Taiko Master Tiffany Tamaribuchi will be performing, and the party after the ceremony will be led by DJ China G presented by Olivia Travel. Food will be thanks, in part, to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation 50 Plus Network and provided by Tay Ho Oakland Restaurant & Bar. La Méditerranée Noe is also helping cater the event, and there will be a variety of beverages available.
There will additionally be an After Party from 10 pm–midnight at The Academy SF (2166 Market Street), which is a co-sponsor of the event. All ticketholders to the main event at the SF LGBT Center will have free entry to The Academy SF for the After Party.
The Bay Times thanks Vincent Crisostomo, Crystal Jang, Madeleine Lim, Nguyen Pham, and Amy Sueyoshi for their help and guidance. Thanks also go to SF LGBT Center Executive Director Jennifer Valles and her team and to the event sponsors.
The presenting sponsor is Kaiser Permanente. Supporting sponsors include the San Francisco Community Health Center; Crystal Jang & Sydney Yeong; Greene Law Firm, P.C., Trust, Probate, and Veteran Law; Horizons Foundation; The Sparks Family; Dr. Marcy Adelman; Diligent Security; Olivia Travel; San Francisco Pride; La Méditerranée Noe; San Francisco AIDS Foundation 50 Plus Network; 1800 Tequila; and V. Sattui.
The event is a benefit for the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project, which will be holding the 22nd annual QWOCFF Film Festival June 12–14. There will also be an Online Encore and Satellite Screening. For more information:
The event is also a benefit for the Use The News foundation, which is the fiscal sponsor of the Bay Times.
2026 Celebrating Bay Area AAPI LGBTQ+ Women Leaders & Allies
Program and Celebration @ the SF LGBT Center
1800 Market Street
6–10 pm
After Party @ The Academy SF
2166 Market Street
10 pm–midnight
For more information and tickets: https://bit.ly/4nFkf5I
The San Francisco Bay Times held the inaugural Celebrating Bay Area AAPI LGBTQ+ Women Leaders & Allies at Catch in the Castro in May 2025. These accomplished individuals were honored:
Marion Abdullah
Lenore Chinn
Cecilia Chung
Jasmine Gee
Adell Hanson-Kahn
Crystal Jang
Hoi Leung
Dion Lim
Koko Lin
Madeleine Lim
Elizabeth Seja Min
Rev. Trinity Ordoña
Gisele Pohan
Canyon Sam
Lia Shigemura
Amy Sueyoshi
TT Takemoto
Tiffany Tamaribuchi
Hediana Utarti
Sammie WillsAlice Wu
Helen Zia
2026 Celebrating Bay Area AAPI LGBTQ+ Women Leaders & Allies
Published on May 21, 2026
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