Lawmaker’s Celebratory Message Sparks Controversy: Omits Key Letters from LGBTQIA+AAPI Acronym

A Seattle lawmaker recently sparked discussion after advocating for the celebration of the LGBTQIA+AAPI community, only to face online criticism for the omission of two letters. This incident unfolded following remarks by Seattle City Councilmember Dionne Foster during a Monday meeting, where she seemed to extend the acronym to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

During the session, Foster, known for her identity as a “Queer woman of color,” shared her ideas on Pride Month with fellow council members before introducing her proclamation for ‘Pride Asia Day.’ This day, she explained, serves as a powerful reminder of intersectional identities and provides an opportunity to honor the LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islander communities who are actively creating safe spaces for visibility and protection.

“Pride Asia allows us to ensure that LGBTQIA+AAPI residents are celebrated,” Foster emphasized, highlighting the importance of recognizing these diverse communities and their contributions.

‘So, Pride Asia is a powerful reminder about intersectional identity, and gives us an opportunity to celebrate LGBTQ Asian and Pacific Islander communities who are creating their own spaces to be seen and protected. 

‘Pride Asia gives us the opportunity to ensure that LGBTQIA+AAPI residents are celebrated,’ Foster, a ‘Queer woman of color’, stated. 

A clip of her reciting the abbreviation was then posted on Reddit, where a user called Foster out for not including the letters ‘NH,’ which stand for Native Hawaiians. 

‘Note: she forgot NH (Native Hawaiians),’ the poster said. 

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is alternatively known as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Seattle city councilmember Dionne Foster introduced a new proclamation to her colleagues on Monday during a city council meeting that, in which she mentioned the acronym LGBTQIA+AAPI

A Reddit user then posted a clip of her saying the abbreviation, and called her out for not including the letters ‘NH,’ which stand for Native Hawaiians. It is unclear if the poster was being serious or sarcastic

It is unclear if they were being serious or sarcastic in their comment, but it drew attention from others who were left puzzled by the acronym. 

‘Identity gymnastics is so tiring. May is already AAPI heritage month. June is already Pride month. So anyone who identifies with or as LGBTQAIAAPI can already choose to celebrate and be recognized in May, June or both months,’ one person posted in the thread.  

‘Celebrating what? How do you even read that,’ wrote another. 

Someone else chimed in: ‘I post LGBT. That’s good enough. More than that is silliness in my opinion.’ 

‘Yeah, I just do LGBTQ+, cause I feel like the Q and the + represent everyone else not explicitly mentioned,’ a person shared. 

Foster, who had both of her proclamations approved by city councilmembers, reminded her colleagues how Seattle is proud to be ‘a welcoming city’ and place ‘where all of our queer residents can feel safe, and warm, and welcome.’ 

She joined the Seattle City Council in January 2026 after defeating incumbent Council President Sara Nelson in November’s general election. 

According to her government profile, she has ‘spent the last 15 years improving access and outcomes for vulnerable Seattleites.’ 

In a July 2025 article published by Seattle Gay News, Foster was referred to as ‘a Queer woman of color’ who ‘understands the variety of complex issues that face the Queer community in Seattle.’ 

The former non-profit leader promised to focus on housing issues in the liberal city. 

Over the years, Seattle has struggled with high crime rates and open-air drug use, all while being one of the most expensive cities to live in the US. 

After being sworn in at the start of the new year, Foster pledged to help solve issues that every day residents are facing. 

‘Our neighbors want to be able to raise their families here and have access to good schools and safe neighborhoods,’ Foster said, according to The Urbanist. 

‘Our neighbors want the buses to come on time. Our neighbors want us to build the damn trains. Our neighbors want to feel safe crossing the street. Our neighbors want safe places to sleep at night. They want more housing and more places around the city, and they want thriving third places to spend their day, whether that be a park, a library, or a neighborhood business, and they all want to be able to afford to stay in the city that we all love so much.’ 

Her pledged commitments come as the city’s new mayor, Katie Wilson, has pushed for affordable housing for residents. 

In a July 2025 article published by Seattle Gay News , called Foster ‘A Queer woman of color’ who ‘understands the variety of complex issues that face the Queer community in Seattle’

Foster’s pledged commitments come as the city’s new mayor, Katie Wilson (pictured), has pushed for affordable housing for residents

In doing so, she has vocalized possibly imposing a 9.9 percent ‘millionaire’s tax’ on the wealthy in the city.

Foster appears to agree with the mayor’s stance, telling the outlet:  ‘Listening to Mayor Wilson talk about, not only do people deserve bread, but they deserve roses, and rest, and space to live their lives. 

‘There’s a lot that we agree on, right? I think we agree on the need for new revenue. I think we agree on focusing the agenda on housing. 

‘I’m so excited to collaborate with the new mayor on expanding the shelter capacity.’ 

The Daily Mail contacted Foster’s office for comment.