The Board of Lavender Seniors of the East Bay (LSEB) condemns crimes targeting Asian-Americans.  Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, according to “Stop AAPI Hate,” an organization focusing on reducing hate crimes, nearly 3,800 hate incidents were reported against members of the AAPI community nationwide over the last year.  Communities describing the spike in hate and violence include the Bay Area, Seattle, Chicago, Minnesota, Texas, and New York.  “Stop AAPI Hate” reports incidents worldwide including Russia, Africa, Europe, Indonesia, and Australia.  The group estimates that many incidents, especially verbal attacks, go unreported.

The hate crimes that we have witnessed against AAPI all across the country particularly target the most vulnerable segment of the population – the elderly; and women are more than twice as likely to be the victims of these violent crimes.  The Atlanta area mass shooting deaths on 23rd of March 2021 has helped catalyze awareness and activism in Canada, Britain, Germany, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand.  

Six of the eight people killed in the Atlanta tragedy were Asian women making this attack both racist and misogynist.  “Stop AAPI Hate” called the shootings “an unspeakable tragedy for the victims’ families and for the Asian-American community which has been reeling from high levels of racist attacks.”  This dramatic increase in Anti-AAPI violence has been largely incited by elected officials at the highest levels of office, including former President Trump himself who constantly referred to the pandemic as the “Chinese Virus”.  This kind of misinformation fuels ignorant and verbally/physically violent responses against people with Asian features and is unacceptable.

Asians comprise 50% of the LSEB Board with one Asian-American, one Pacific Islander, and one Asian/Latino member.  LSEB collectively takes responsibility to work together and do more to stop the hate. We make this statement to show support for the AAPI communities; and of course, especially for the LGBTQ+ communities that continue to face both homophobic and racist harassment in private, public, and professional settings.  LSEB programs offer services to LGBTQ+ seniors in pursuit of equality for all. 

Anti-Asian violence is not new but the Atlanta tragedy put a spotlight on it and urged people to speak up.  The economic havoc wreaked by the pandemic hit the poor and already marginalized even harder.  It clarified the inequities in our society and galvanized people with a new awareness and commitment to social justice.  With a new administration in the White House, we are hopeful that new action plans for needed changes can happen.  Meanwhile, LSEB will continue to be vocal and strong in our advocacy for the needs of all LGBTQ+ elders and to work to stop all forms and manifestations of hate. 

Link to AAPI historical racism from the 19th and 20th Century in the US