[lead]This Tuesday, March 8th, Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center is hosting Cock Tales, a special comedy event at the Oasis. We’re especially excited because the event line-up features up-and-coming talent representing the LGBTQ community. We guarantee you’ll leave with a smile on your face—you may even get a core workout from laughing so hard![/lead]
But there’s another reason this event is so special to us. Our headliner, Aidan Park, is actually a former client of A&PI Wellness Center. Growing up wasn’t easy for Aidan. He emigrated from Korea when he was just 9 years old and landed in San Francisco’s Fillmore district, living in Section 8 housing with his grandmother. He didn’t speak any English at all and found it hard to connect with kids in school and the world around him. Self-expression became a minefield, further complicated by his fear of revealing his sexual identity.
Aidan found A&PI Wellness Center when he was just 16 years old. He was looking for a safe space to meet other queer and questioning Asian youth and he found friends, even a home, here. He explored what it meant to come out as a gay Asian man and how his sexual health mattered. He even got his first HIV test with us. In 2005, we awarded him our Pride scholarship to assist with his college education.
Now, he’s a successful working actor and comic in Los Angeles. He’s appeared on Comedy Central, Tosh.0, Trauma (NBC), and has performed in over 30 theatrical productions. He tours all over the country headlining for respected comedy clubs. Aidan is proud to be “one of the first and only out and proud gay Korean-American comics in the US.” In fact, his power is fueled by his identity. “The more I’m able to be my authentic self as a performer, the more successful I am,” he says. “I’m proud of who I am.”
Aidan took a break for a candid, mini-interview with us. This is Aidan, in his own words.
[lead]Why do you think comedy is important? [/lead]
Laughter is the best way to bring people together! I think that it creates a communal experience among strangers and helps us all realize that we are pretty much all the same. We want the best for ourselves and our friends and family, and we want to have a great time. It’s hard to feel connected to other people immediately but humor and comedy really allows for a bridge for the connection. It’s how I first connected to people when I moved to the US and I’m still connecting to people this way.
[lead]What does it mean to you to be giving back to A&PI Wellness Center?[/lead]
I LOOOVE that I am able to pay you guys back somehow for believing in me when I was a teenager. I was such an awkward kid (now I am an awkward adult!) and grew up in the Fillmore district of San Francisco before it became all fancy. At the time, there weren’t a lot of Asian American role models in the media and not a lot of gay men. It was pretty cool that when it wasn’t such a “hip thing” to be, there was a support system that really supported me.
The scholarship meant WAY more to me than the money that I received. It felt kind of like encouragement in a way. I was so grateful and it really made a difference. So, I’m THRILLED that I get to come back and make some $$$ for the A&PI Wellness Center—HA! I get to share what a great impact you had on me and my community.
[lead]Do you have any dating advice?[/lead]
Hmmm…don’t be a hoochie when you know you’re really a Gucci?
[lead]
Buy your tickets now!
Cock Tales:A Night of Comedy
Starring Aidan Park and featuring Heather Turman with the Hottest Hostess Tita Aida
When: Tuesday, March 8th, 2016 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
Where: The Oasis (298 11th Street, San Francisco)
General admission $25
Premium tickets $45 (includes seating in rows 2 and 3 plus a complimentary drink ticket for beer, wine, or a signature drink)
Cabaret tickets $75 (includes intimate, front row seating and a complimentary bottle of champagne)
NOTE: Proceeds benefit A&PI Wellness Center clients and services.
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