Programs
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We bring a Disability Justice lens to our work. This framework shapes our approach whether we're organizing in solidarity with queer and trans BIPOC communities, creating educational resources on accessibility, or setting the pace of our initiatives. We remain committed to COVID safety protocols, recognizing the ongoing impact of the pandemic, particularly on marginalized communities.
Our dedication to Disability Justice informs not only what we do, but also how we approach our work. We strive to put our values into practice in our operations, especially around care, support, and flexibility.
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We believe in the deep connection between Healing Justice and Disability Justice, recognizing that these frameworks strengthen and inform each other. We understand that mental health, particularly for QTA communities, is shaped by broader historical and systemic forces, and our work is rooted in addressing collective trauma while honoring intergenerational wisdom.
We're committed to nurturing both ourselves and our communities, and providing the resources needed to sustain our vision of a better world. This commitment shows up in everything we do – from our organizational policies to our partnerships with individuals and organizations who share our dedication to wellness and community care. Together, we're weaving a network of interdependence and support that helps us all flourish.
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Moonbow’s work is guided by the abolitionist principle that we can create safety and wellbeing for each other without relying on police, prisons, or coercive mental healthcare. Our mental health advocacy centers autonomy and community care, and stands firmly against involuntary treatment, surveillance, and other carceral approaches that harm QTBIPOC communities. Internally, we are actively building practices that transform conflict into opportunities for deeper connection and lasting change. As we work toward collective healing and repair, we resist reproducing systems of harm and domination.
We envision a world where conflict and harm are addressed with understanding and growth rather than punishment. We embrace this work as an evolving journey, knowing that Transformative Justice requires ongoing reflection, adaptation, and dedication.
Frameworks Guiding Moonbow
Core Areas of Work
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Our work continues in the lineage of queer and trans Asian liberation movements while striving to deepen our solidarity with the broader QTBIPOC community.
Community building is a crucial aspect of our work, along with leadership development and political education.
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Mental Health Resource Hub
Moonbow offers culturally-affirming and holistic mental health resources for queer and trans Asians.
We maintain an online infrastructure that offers a comprehensive resource directory for affirming and appropriate care and builds autonomy for queer and trans Asians in accessing the care they need.
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Community-Based Support
Our organization provides spaces for queer and trans Asian individuals to build relationships, be in community, and support one another.
We are currently developing our peer support work. If you are interested in becoming involved, please fill out the form on our volunteer page linked below.
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Political Education
Our political education initiatives include workshops on contemporary mental health advocacy issues, legislation, and policies.
We conduct research and provide analysis and from a queer and trans perspective.
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Community Building
Our organization facilitates spaces for collective grounding and grieving, host wellness and care events, and provide workshops on building interpersonal skills.
We create opportunities for connection, restoration, and joy within the QTA community. We also actively collaborate with other QTA, QTBIPOC, and Asian organizations to strengthen our impact and reach.
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Skill-Building and Advocacy Training
Moonbow offers opportunities for leadership development, encouraging volunteers to develop and lead programs while building skills in various areas such as facilitation, fundraising, program development, writing, analysis, and storytelling.
QTAPI Mental Health Survey
In March 2023, Moonbow completed a community survey to assess the mental health needs of QTAPIs in Southern California and learn how these needs can be addressed. Our experiences as QTAPIs are significantly underrepresented as research tends to focus on either LGBTQ+ people or Asian Americans, often treating these communities as a monolith. This survey is intended to address this gap by centering those of us who live at the intersection of these identities.
We are so excited to publish and share our findings in April 2025. We hope you will revisit this space then to read our report on how we can all care for and support QTAPIs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Moonbow is still based in Los Angeles along with many of our members and partners. However, since the pandemic in 2020, we have expanded our reach to include the region of Southern California and our events and offerings are open to all queer and trans Asians regardless of where they live. We are also working to expand our network and connect queer and trans Asians outside of Southern California to the resources and care they need.
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No, Moonbow does not operate within the traditional service provision model. We do not have therapists or counselors on staff.
We believe that healing is a holistic endeavor that can be supported by other healing modalities in addition to therapy. Within our spaces, folks are able to explore different mental health resources, self-regulation and care practices, and connection. This approach allows us and the community we serve more flexibility and alternatives to the standards and requirements of the Medical Industrial Complex (e.g., we are not mandated reporters).
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Community-based support centers the needs of the community and is cultivated by that same community. We use this term to honor the legacy of our queer and trans ancestors who always found a way to care for one another when governments and institutions fail to meet our needs.
Community-based support can fill in the gaps left by a capitalized medical industrial complex that emphasizes individuality, scarcity, and pathology. It is a means of support that is built upon mutual relationships, relies on the strength in our community, and trusts in the wisdom and lived experience of community members to know what is best for us.
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We do not have a physical office or location. If you would like to send us letters or donations checks, you can mail them to our P.O. Box.
Moonbow has been operating remotely since March 2020. All our volunteer opportunities and offerings currently take place virtually. Our organization remains focused on connecting with our community and have found that online spaces increase accessibility for those who may not otherwise be able to participate in person (i.e., people who are disabled and/or immunocompromised or caretaking for vulnerable loved ones, people not in the immediate Los Angeles area but still want to be in community, people who do no have access to transportation, childcare, etc.). We hope to be able to host some in-person events in the future, but these will adhere to COVID safety guidelines.
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Moonbow is committed to practicing COVID safety not just with our own work and events, but also in how we show up in community with others. This is grounded in the principles of Disability Justice and ensures accessibility, protection, and care to the most vulnerable among us.
We ask that any invitation to an in-person event includes COVID precautions that will be in place so that we can assess our risk and safety in attending. We also plan on sharing a guide in the near future on how to create COVID safe spaces that allow our community to be protected while taking part in in-person community events.
Resource: Sins Invalid’s 10 Principles of Disability Justice
