Top Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Unsung Heroes 2009

Ben de Guzman, Co-Director for Programs at the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) and National Coordinator for the National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity (NAFVE).

Ben has been part of at least two historical milestones in AAPI history in 2009. In February 2009, he ran the campaign that resulted in restoration of military recognition of the service of Filipino WWII veterans by the U.S. government. For two years, he ran the day-to-day operations of the campaign that brought out unprecedented mobilization from Filipino and AAPI communities. In August 2009, he led the team that put on what may be the first national, pan-AAPI, multigender LGBT conference when the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance held its inaugural conference, "Transgress, Transform, Transcend." Additionally, as the Policy Director for Kaya: Filipino Americans for Progress, he helped run policy work and programming for this new organization as well, including a slate of events during the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.  He is also an active member of the DC Cal Alumni Club, the California Alumni Association’s 2009 Chapter of the Year in Washington, DC.

For over 10 years, Ben's commitment to AAPI communities generally, and Filipino American and LGBT constituencies specifically, has been unquestionable.  Since beginning his career in back in 1997, he has been an active member of a number of local organizations in both Washington, DC and Los Angeles, including API Queers United for Action, Filipino American Youth Dialogue, APAs for Progress, and API Equality - Los Angeles.  At the national level, he has led national advocacy and public education and leadership programs for organizations such as the Asian American Justice Center, Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP), the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) and the National Alliance for Filipino Veterans Equity (NAFVE).