“Astraea is a symbol and an actualization of hope and vision for me, where transformation can emerge, and where collective power can amass.”

–Mai Kiang

Katherine Acey, Executive Director said, “After a rigorous search process, the Astraea staff and board are delighted to have found our next Director of Programs in our midst. The depth and breadth of Mai’s knowledge of the Foundation and the landscape of LGBTI struggles worldwide have already been a vital part of Astraea’s grantmaking, and will play an even greater role as we continue to expand our programmatic scope and impact.”

The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is the world’s only foundation solely dedicated to supporting LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) organizations globally. Last year, Astraea issued more than $2.2 million in grants to organizations and individuals in 120 cities and 47 countries around the world working for the empowerment and human rights of all sexual minorities.

“Astraea is a symbol and an actualization of hope and vision for me, where transformation can emerge and where collective power can amass,” said Kiang, “I am humbled by the tasks ahead and the opportunity to work shoulder to shoulder with the brilliant, courageous and devoted partners of change at Astraea and around the would.”

Born and raised in Taiwan, Kiang arrived in New York in 1991 to join the staff of Women Make Movies, an independent feminist film distributor, and helped bring about feminist film exhibitions and productions locally and internationally. Later she joined Impact Visuals, a photo cooperative where she was elected to multiple terms as the chief steward to the Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers’ Union. Kiang was also a part of the management team that administered an archive of nearly a million social-issue photographs by over nine hundred photojournalists worldwide. Prior to joining Astraea’s staff in late 2007, she was the Special Events Manager at New York University.

Kiang is the co-founder and co-chair of the Institute for Tongzhi Studies, a New York-based group that supports queer artists and scholars in Chinese communities worldwide. She is also the co-convener of the 2007 Lala Camp, the first multi-region Mandarin-speaking LBT leadership institute held in mainland China.

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The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice works for social, racial, and economic justice in the U.S. and internationally. Our grantmaking and philanthropic advocacy programs help lesbians and allied communities challenge oppression and claim their human rights.

Media Contact:
Melissa Hoskins, Communications Associate
Phone: 212.529.8021 x26 Email:
communications@astraeafoundation.org