Furthering its goals of visibility for gay Asian and Pacific Islander males (GAM), Gay Asian Pacific Alliance (GAPA) announces a nationwide call for photography submissions around the theme "Coming of Age: GAM in America." Winning entries will be presented in a multimedia arts exhibition scheduled for Gay Pride Month, June 2005, and be featured in a calendar slated for national distribution. Grand prize is a round-trip airfare and hotel stay in San Francisco to coincide with the opening of the arts exhibition.

The proposed calendar and art exhibit, will be dedicated to gay Asian & Pacific Islander (API) artists and subject matter, and is intended as a collaborative, community-based project. GAPA's main intent is to encourage participation from a broad range of community members, particularly among those who may not have considered artistic expression as a viable opportunity. Through its efforts, GAPA hopes to promote cultural diversity within both the larger Asian Pacific American population and the mainstream lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, while also allowing gay APIs to express what it means to be American when one is of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage.

Since its inception in 1988, Gay Asian Pacific Alliance has been dedicated to furthering the interests of gay & bisexual Asians and Pacific Islanders in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. In particular, GAPA has long been involved in promoting artistic expression among gay APIs, with performing arts groups that have included the GAPA Men's Chorus, GAPA Dance Company and GAPA Theater, as well as a monthly publication, Lavender Godzilla, which showcases the literary and artistic talents of gay API men. In 2003 and 2004 GAPA released its inaugural calendars featuring the work of local artists to much acclaim. The G:2006 Project will build on that momentum and expand to include participation on the national level.

Photo submissions must be received by April 15, 2005. Participants must be at least 18 years old and be self-identified as gay, bisexual or transgender male of Asian/Pacific Islander heritage. For entry guidelines, submission forms, model releases, and additional information, interested parties may go to the GAPA website (www.gapa.org) or email: calendar@gapa.org.