The GLBT Community Celebrates Another Year Of Togetherness

Crammed to capacity at the brand-new Wilder Center in St. Paul on February 28, more than 300 supporters clapped and cheered as the seven beauty contestants of this year’s Miss SOY Pageant were called onto the stage one last time before the judges made their decision.

After more than two hours of displaying an array of talents and charms, the seven contestants of this very special pageant stood clasping one another’s hands in a show of unity.

On stage were representatives of the GLBT rainbow: According to event organizers, two of the contestants were transgender; two were bi-sexual; and the three remaining contestants were girls who support the GLBT community, aptly called, “allies”.

Although winning the Miss SOY crown carries a great honor, the purpose of the pageant isn’t necessarily to win, but rather it is to display the heightened support for GLBT individuals from the Hmong community.

Hosted by SOY (Shades of Yellow), the pageant is the centerpiece event of the annual SOY New Year Celebration which first occurred in 2006 when organizers billed it as the first public gathering of Hmong GLBT.

This celebration of unity and progressiveness was displayed when the judges named Lee Xiong of St. Paul, MN as this year’s Miss SOY. All the other contestants immediately embraced one another and celebrated Miss Xiong’s new crown.

Her victory came with great relief and joy as this was the third time she had entered the SOY pageant.

“I don’t know what to say, I’m just so happy!” Xiong revealed with tears streaking down her face. “I will do my best to represent the crown!”

SOY the organization

What started as an informal gathering between a few concerned friends has turned into a social movement that continues to grow exponentially.

Created in 2003, SOY has transformed into a full-fledged, non-profit organization that exists to support GLBT (gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, trans-gender) individuals within the Hmong community.

Having recently hired its first executive director, Kevin Xiong, SOY has moved into its first office space which is located within the University Ave offices of Hmong American Partnership (HAP).

With a financial thrust by three major funders (Hmong Womens Giving Circle, – Asian American Pacific Islanders In Philanthropy and the PFund Foundation) SOY is currently in the strategic planning process.

“In addition to hosting SOY events such as our New Year celebration, we also hope to expand on advocacy and education,” detailed Kevin Xiong. “In the long run, we even hope to be able to shelter displaced GLBT.”

Even though GLBT issues are not new to the Hmong culture, talking about it and accepting those who are GLBT is a new concept, Xiong explained.

“Unfortunately shame and misunderstandings are still present when dealing with GLBT issues, but that’s why we exist!”

For visitors of the SOY New Year, the event and organization matters on a very personal level.

“Seeing this many participants means a lot to me,” Revealed Francois Vang, 22, who shared his love for country music by performing on stage. “It makes a difference in my life because I know that there will be people to talk to about GLBT issues. I used to think I was alone.”

To find out more about SOY, please go to their website at: www.shadesofyellow.com