A letter to my community,

As I sit in this moment, in the month that honors the sacrifices of Black and Brown Queer and Trans people to be fully seen in their dignity and in their most authentic and loving self, I am overwhelmed that in 2021, we still have such a long way to go in this fight for the liberation of Women, Girls, Queer, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming folks.

However long the fight, I am committed to this struggle knowing full well that I, as Tammie, will not be free, until we are all free.

In 2019, at the anniversary gala of our 25th year anniversary as HAWA, I had a dream and a vision that in this fight for our liberation, I would fight for a space for us as Southeast Asian Women, as Girls, as Queer and Trans people that there would be a home for us. A place where even if the world was not ready, that in this space, between the walls, and within the people, safety, resilience and liberation would thrive and allow us to dream and pour into our families, and our communities what we know is possible.

And what we know to be possible is that our Women, our Girls, our Queer and Trans family can live in a world where they are seen, loved, respected, heard, uplifted, honored, safe, and can thrive in all this love and joy. They are the leaders of our families, our communities – the holders of our histories, and the very backbone to us as a people.

Without them, we would be nothing.

And so, I am honored to say that in the same month we honor our Queer and Trans family, that we as HAWA have found a permanent home in our community – a home that we own and that we call ours. Our new home address is: 3030 W. Highland Blvd.

Later this month, we will announce our HAWA Roots Down MKE Campaign, our ambitious goal is to raise $1 million dollars to support our new HAWA home, and to continue supporting the next 100 years of HAWA and our work with Southeast Asian Women, Girls, Queer and Trans people here in Milwaukee. And if in this moment you are inspired to give, please donate directly on our HAWA site. Please continue to follow us on our webpage and Facebook for more updates on this transition and new chapter for all of us.

Lastly, I want to dedicate this new home to all Southeast Asian Women, Girls, Queer and Trans people, especially those of you who continue to survive and thrive. To you all I say, Welcome Home!

With love,
Tammie Xiong
HAWA Executive Director