Los Angeles, CA -- The Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT), one of the nation's leaders in HIV/AIDS education and prevention, and The International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE) present the fourth annual "Quest" pageant on Saturday, September 10, 2005. Doors open at 6pm. The pageant begins at 7pm at the El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Boulevard.

"Quest" encourages the development and advancement of transgenders and celebrates the uniqueness and diversity of the transgender community. What makes this pageant truly special is that delegates represent community based organizations helping transgenders. Delegates from previous pageants have represented agencies synonymous with excellence like the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS of New York, Bienestar Human Services, The Center - Orange County, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, the LA Gay and Lesbian Center, Minority AIDS Project, and the Van Ness Prevention Division.

The main goals of "Quest" are:

1) Empower the transgender community with information on HIV transmission and prevention.

2) Provide positive role models and a sense of community to counteract the stigma that leads to low self-esteem and high-risk behaviors among this population.

3) Train transgender women advocates on issues of HIV.

4) Disseminate information regarding APAIT services into the community.

The winner will be featured in IFGE's Transgender Tapestry quarterly journal, with IFGE as the official media sponsor. Previous pageant judges have included prominent figures in politics and entertainment.

Advanced tickets are $15 for regular seating and $35 for limited VIP seating and post-event reception. Tickets at the door: $20 for regular seating and $40 for limited VIP. Tickets can be bought online at www.elreytheatre.com
<http://www.elreytheatre.com/> .

For more information: 213-553-1830.