In celebration of Asian American Heritage Month, this special Boba Buddies session will feature a storytime with Filipino American activist and drag artist Aleksa Manila. RSVP required. Exact room will be shared after registration.
Aleksa Manila is a celebrated and respected drag personality. Originally from Manila, Philippines, she now calls Seattle, Washington home. Aleksa is a favorite emcee/host, speaker/panelist, performer/model at many events in the region because of her smart and sassy presence onstage and her ease of engaging her audience.
Over the years, she has been recognized for her community efforts in advocacy and social justice. Aleksa has received the President’s Award with QLaw – Washington State’s LGBTQ Bar Association,; in 2019, at the 84th Anniversary Gala of the Filipino Community of Seattle, Aleksa was honored with the Bayanihan Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Leadership. And in 2018, Aleksa was honored with Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan’s Pride Award for Outstanding Leader, Seattle Women’s Pride for Community Champion, the Filipino American Student Association at the University of Washington 100th Year Anniversary Recognition as one of 100 Centennials in advancing Filipino Americans, and the GSBA (Greater Seattle Business Association)Humanitarian Honoree for Community Leadership. She was also honored with the prestigious Dr. Bob Wood Award for Excellence in HIV Prevention in 2013, and was Grand Marshal at the 40th Seattle Pride Parade in 2014 alongside her hero, Mr. George Takei.
Aleksa Manila is a favorite feature of Seattle’s rich LGBTQ history & HERstory. She does not shy away from sharing the spotlight that showcases the diverse stories of LGBTQ icons. Mx. Manila along with the iconic “Lampshade” have been featured in Chris E. Vargas’ Trans Hirstory in 99 Objects at Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington, and at the Wing Luke Museum’s “Where Beauty Lies” Exhibit (through September 2021) featuring the photographic works of Nate Gowdy and Brian Buck; and is featured in a spread with “Girls Like Us” Magazine based in Amsterdam/Brussels. In 2012, she founded Pride ASIA whose mission is to celebrate, empower and nurture the multi-cultural diversity of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer communities through the Asian Pacific Islander lens.