Resources: LGBT-affirming Asian Pacific Islander Clergy

Alice F. Cabotaje
Chaplain Resident, University of California San Francisco Medical Center
San Francisco, CA

Denomination: Metropolitan Community Church
Ethnic identity: Filipino
Language(s) spoken: English, Filipino, Ilocano
Contact info: (650) 355-7833,

Rev. Bo Young Belko
Associate Pastor, Diamond Bar United Church of Christ
Diamond Bar, CA

"God loves everybody. There is no exception."

Denomination: United Church of Christ
Ethnic Identity: Korean
Language(s) spoken: Korean, English
Contact Info: 2335 South Diamond Bar Blvd., Diamond Bar, CA 91765,
(909) 861-4735, or

Rev. Boon Lin Ngeo
Staff Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church of New York
New York, NY

"As a Christian, I believe in Jesus. I always believe that the central Christian metaphor is God is Love; and perhaps this is the only definition of God in the Bible. I see Jesus as the ultimate manifestation of God’s love, not because he died a horrible death for us but rather how he had lived his life. From the gospels, I could easily see that Jesus is primarily compassionate and concerned with human beings’ well-being.  Human well-being, according to Jesus, is understood primarily in terms of relationships and community. I believe we are the Church and the Church is for everyone, and God does not give higher status to one than another.  Christian faith community is neither exclusive nor status-bound. I believe the Bible is inspired by God. However, all readings are interpretation and the interpretation of scripture is historically contextualized. That said, I believe we as queer people should challenge forcefully the assumptions and intentions of heterosexists that have been overlooked so long by so many biblical interpreters and Christians, such as patriarchy, homophobic and xenophobic attitudes of the time in which the texts were written and the scriptures were read."

Denomination: Metropolitan Community Churches
Ethnic background: Chinese
Language(s) spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, English
Contact info: 446 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018,
(347) 524-9739,

Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee
Assistant Professor of Educational Ministries, Pacific School of Religion Berkeley, CA

"Although Asian-Americans have inseparable ethnic and sexual identities within themselves, we are often forced to separate the two and to focus solely on our cultural Asianness. Such invisibility of sexuality contributes to the creation of homophobia in heterosexual- centered Asian-American communities, and marginalizes sexual minorities. Like heterosexual Asian-Americans, sexual minorities are discriminated against due to their Asian race in a racially hierarchical society; however and unlike their counterparts, they face homophobia too. Therefore and unless we address the subject of sexuality and advocate equal right of API LGBTQ members, our discussions and movements of peace and justice are plainly incomplete."

Denomination: United Methodist
Ethnic Identity: Korean
Languages spoken: English, Korean
Contact info: (510) 849-8234, blee@psr.edu

Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow
Pastor, Mission Bay Community Church
San Francisco, CA

"My experience, understanding and relationship with God, Jesus, and the Spirit through scripture and reflection compel me to live in solidarity with my LGBT family."

Denomination: Presbyterian Church (USA)
Ethnic identity: 3rd generation Chinese/Filipino
Language(s) spoken: English
Contact info: 1040 Mariposa Street, San Francisco CA 94112
(415) 377-5969,
Blog: www.reyes-chow.com

Rev. Cal Chinn
Retired Pastor
San Francisco, CA

"I am committed totally to a welcoming and inclusive church. Currently, I serve on the Board of That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS)."

Denomination: Presbyterian Church (USA)
Ethnic Identity: Chinese American
Language(s) spoken: Cantonese, English
Contact Info: (415) 564-9792,

Rev. Deborah Lee
Program Director and Chaplain, PANA Institute,
Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA

"God's love knows no boundaries. The ministry and witness of Jesus teaches us that God speaks through those who our cultures and societies brand as 'other' or 'outsiders' like LGBT folks are today. If we want to hear God, we need to be partners in ministry with LGBT people."

Denomination: United Church of Christ
Ethnic Identity: Chinese American
Language(s) spoken: English, Portuguese
Contact Info: (510) 849-8260,

Rev. Elias Tseng
Pastor of Amazing Grace LGBT Fellowship
Taipei, Taiwan

"I believe in God. Who created people, both the homosexual and the heterosexual. Each has a place in God's plan. God created the world and calls on all created people to care for nature."

Denomination: Presbyterian (Independent)
Ethnic identity: Taiwanese
Language(s) spoken: Mandarin
Contact info: 0926904321 (cell),
Website: http://elias.myweb.hinet.net/

Dr. Elizabeth Leung
API Roundtable Coordinating Minister,
Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry
Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear."
~ 1 John 4:18

Denomination: United Church of Christ
Ethnic Identity: Chinese
Languages: English, Cantonese
Contact Info: (510) 849-8937,

Rev. Harry Chuck
Retired Pastor
San Francisco, CA

"The time is now to open our church doors and our hearts."

Denomination: Presbyterian Church (USA)
Ethnic identity: Chinese American
Language(s) spoken: English
Contact info: (415) 668-2031,

Rev. Hidemi Ito
Retired Pastor
Torrance, CA

"My strong belief is that all people are created equally with the spirit of love and forgivenss and I respect all."

Denomination: United Methodist Church
Language(s) spoken: English, Japanese
Contact info: 2041 W. 177th St., Torrance, CA 90504

Rev. Israel I. Alvaran
Berkeley, CA

"Philosophers seek to interpret the world, the point, however, is to change it." ~ Karl Marx

Denomination: United Methodist
Ethnic Identity: Filipino
Languages spoken: English, Tagalog
Contact Info: (510) 717-4894,

Rev. Jennifer Y. Ryu
Co-Minister, Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists
Williamsburg, VA

Denomination: Unitarian Universalist
Language(s) spoken: English
Contact info: 3501 Ironbound Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185
(751) 220-6830,

Rev. Joan C. Ishibashi
Minister for Lay School, Credentialing and Communication
Western Reserve Association, Ohio Conference
Cleveland, OH

"Ten years ago, when I was living and working in Hawaii, I actively worked for same-gender marriage rights for LGBT persons. My commitment to equal rights for LGBT persons has not wavered. In the API religious community, we have been busy fighting for racial justice, but have blocked the way to justice for the LGBT members of our community. I am encouraged by NRJ-API-LGBT. "

Denomination: United Church of Christ
Ethnic Identity: Japanese American
Contact Info: (216) 749-3116,

Rev. John Oda
Senior Pastor, Pine United Methodist Church
San Francisco, CA

“Working to fully include and wholeheartedly welcome all of God's children into all churches is the most important work any pastor could be engaged in. This is the work of the NRJ.”

Denomination: United Methodist
Ethnic Identity: Japanese American
Language(s) spoken: English
Contact Info: (415) 387-1800,

Rev. John Song
Pastor, Calvary United Methodist Church
San Jose, CA

"As a Christian person, the first truth I believe is that every person is created in God’s divine image.  In Genesis 1:26-27, 'Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness...’ So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them.'  Every person must be treated as the bearer of the holy God.  There is no exception.
The second truth I believe is that every person is loved by God. The third truth that I believe is that every person is called by God to become who they were created to be, their true selves.  Not to allow a person to affirm and live out their true-self that God created them to be is a terrible perpetration of injustice."

Denomination: United Methodist Church
Ethnic identity: Korean American
Language(s) spoken: English, Korean
Contact info:  (650) 722-1277,

Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong
Interfaith Organizer, California Faith for Equality
West Hollywood, CA

Denomination: Metropolitan Community Church
Ethnic identity: Chinese
Contact info:

Rev. Dr. Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan
Associate Professor of Old Testament, Pacific School of Religion
Berkeley, CA

“Religious people need to begin to acknowledge and admit that our views of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender have been wrong and to begin to treat all people as equal in the sight of God and equally loved by God.
I need to say very clearly that Christian opposition to homosexuality is based often on selective biblical interpretation that takes the few verses of scripture that may or may not refer to sexual intercourse between people of the  same gender out of its socio-cultural and historical contexts. Moreover, such a stance often refuses to acknowledge that our modern understanding of sexuality is world’s apart from the understanding of sexuality in ancient times.”

Denomination: United Methodist
Ethnic identity: Chinese American
Language(s) spoken: English
Contact info: (510) 849-8205,

Rev. Lloyd K. Wake
Retired Pastor
San Francisco, CA

“My official status is 'retired', but I continue to be active in affirming LGBTQ persons and families. I have joyously performed "holy unions" for many years, and will continue to so even though my denomination now states that performing same is a 'chargeable offense.' ”

Denomination: United Methodist
Ethnic Identity: Japanese American
Language(s) spoken: English
Contact Info: (415) 567-9020,

Rev. Michael Yoshii
Pastor, Buena Vista United Methodist Church
Alameda, CA

"As we continue to stand with the LGBT community for full and equal rights within our larger society and within ecclesiastical institutions, we hope to provide a community of love, affirmation, and support for all LGBT persons seeking genuine spiritual fellowship."

Denomination: United Methodist
Ethnic identity: Japanese American
Language(s) spoken: English
Contact info: 2311 Buena Vista Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501,
(510) 522-2688,

Rev. Noel E. Bordador
Priest, Episcopal Church, Diocese of New York
New York , NY

"Inclusion is at the heart of Jesus's message. There are to be no outcasts."

Denomination: Episcopal Church
Ethnic identity: Filipino
Language(s) spoken: Tagalog, English
Contact info: (212) 529-2365,

Rev. Sharon Lee MacArthur
Senior Minister, Sycamore Congregational United Church of Christ
El Cerrito, CA

"I believe God created every person in God’s own image and that we are called to honor and welcome each person as a child of God no matter who s/he is or where s/he is on life’s journey..."

Denomination: United Church of Christ
Ethnic identity: Chinese American pastor serving Japanese American church
Languages spoken:  English, Cantonese/Toishan
Contact info: 1111 Navellier St., El Cerrito, CA 94530,
(510)525-0727,

Dr. Tat-siong Benny Liew
Associate Professor of New Testament, Pacific School of Religion
Berkeley, CA

"I affirm God’s love for all people, API, LGBT, and API LGBT."

Denomination: Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
Ethnic identity: Chinese
Language(s) spoken: English, Cantonese
Contact info: (510) 849-8219,

Rev. Dr. Warren W. Lee
Professor of Asian American Ministry, San Francisco Theological Seminary
San Anselmo, CA

"Christian faith rooted in the Bible teaches that almighty and gracious God calls each and every human being past, present, and future by name and knows even the number of hairs we have on our heads. This includes API LGBT people and no one is excluded from God’s love revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ made known by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  

Denomination: Presbyterian Church U.S.A.
Ethnic identity: Korean
Language(s) spoken: English
Contact info: