Members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities have received an apology from the Sacramento LGBT Center in California for the offensive cultural themes used at a recent party, reports the Sacramento Bee.
The apology comes after the Asian Pacific Islander Queer Sacramento Coalition wrote a letter to the center expressing their dismay about the party held October 17.
“The event’s advertisements, one with an Asian man who speaks in broken English, and another with a western-appearing man in a kimono, were at best insensitive,” the letter continues. “Furthermore, the theme of the party was 
clearly ‘oriental’ (as opposed to Asian) inspired, as reflected in the objects that comprised the décor: dragons, lanterns, and fans. Guests clearly took these images to heart, as geishas and other yellow-face inspired costumes were shared online.”
“They were wearing them in a way that wasn’t demonstrating the beauty, but to be an object of amusement,” said Swati Rao of the coalition.
“We apologize for the LGBT Center’s insensitivity toward Asian Pacific Islander community members in using Asian themes and symbols for the Red
Dress Party,” the Center said in its apology. “We take full responsibility for the unintended offensive message it.
“We strive to be a leader in promoting equality for all, but we can and will do better. This is a learning experience for us and we hope to use this opportunity to increase our understanding and competency.”
You can read more details about the party, the apology and reaction to it in the Sacramento Bee.
