Andrew Reighart (UMD SPP, ‘15) is an environmental policy analyst at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a co-chair of Equality EPA, the agency’s networking group for LGBTQ+ staff members.
For EPA’s National Pride Month observance Andrew organized a program entitled LGBTQ+ Voices of Pride, which featured five EPA staff representing a range of sexualities, gender identities, experiences, and ancestries. They shared stories about developing and embracing identity with an emphasis on intersectionality, as well as struggles for equality, and some of their most indelible moments of pride. The event celebrated the complexity and diversity of LGBTQ+ staff at EPA and aimed to encourage a sense of shared humanity to inspire further conversations leading to a deeper understanding and embrace of the LGBTQ+ community.