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Quest 2009

Quest 2009 Flyer

SAVE THE DATE: December 12, 2009
David Henry Hwang Theatre
7:00 pm
120 Judge John Aiso St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
[View on Google Maps]

Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team presents the Quest 2009 6th Annual Advocacy Pageant!

What is QUEST?

Established in 2002, QUEST is a community level intervention designed to encourage the development and empowerment of the often marginalized transgender community. As an advocacy pageant, QUEST aims to decrease rates of high-risk behaviors in the community, including those contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS infection.


(From left to right: Past APAIT Board President John Wirfs, Model Jenny Shimizu, Quest Winner Maria Roman, America’s Next Top Model’s Clint Catalyst, and Noel Alumit)

Why is QUEST Needed?

  • HIV/AIDS rates are the highest in the transgender community.
  • Transgenders face extreme discrimination including: rejection by family, victimization by violence and abuse, loss of employment, and poverty.
  • This discrimination leads to increased marginalization, isolation, and low self-esteem which then contributes to high rates of risky behavior.
  • An effective way to reduce HIV incidence and risk taking behavior is positive empowerment.
  • QUEST can help build this in the transgender community!

How does QUEST Work?

  • Transgender women from across the country apply to be QUEST Delegates.
  • Delegates undergo a multi-step process, including training and mentorship by a community based organization with a transgender program.
  • Delegates are interviewed to provide them a chance to demonstrate their intellect and heart to serve as advocates for the transgender community.
  • Delegates participate in a pageant event where they are given an opportunity to share and celebrate their diversity, creativity, uniqueness, and strength with the community.

What have QUEST Participants Accomplished?

Previous QUEST winners and finalists have:
  • Become leading advocates fighting for transgender civil rights
  • Spoken to many leadership councils and key decision-makers regarding transgender issues
  • Participated in the Centers for Disease Control’s Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership