The InterPride podcast series, InterPod, The Global Voices of Pride Podcast, where the world comes together for the LGBTQIA+ community, is proud to launch our 36th episode, The Elephant in the Room Series | Part One with Mino Likwasi, with series host Richard Brethour-Bell, Vice President, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion | Co-Chair, Human Rights Committee | Coordinator, Racism & Oppression Awareness Program (ROAP) at InterPride.
The LGBTQIA+ community has come a long way in the fight for acceptance. However, our voices matter and will be heard. Many LGBTQIA+ community members have fought for decades for the right to be seen and heard.
On this IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia, and Transphobia, we’re proud to feature the first episode of the “Elephant in the Room” series as part of our Racism & Oppression Awareness Program (ROAP). Let’s address all forms of oppression in our community, including anti-Blackness and racism.
Mino Likwasi is a Zambian queer activist who co-founded the Women’s Alliance for Equality (WAFE). When Mino and their colleague noticed that visibility and interventions were mostly targeted at gay men, they decided to form WAFE, which aims to create a space for LBQ voices to be amplified within the broader LGBTQIA+ movement in Zambia. Along with being the co-founder of WAFE, Mino is also a trustee of The Other Foundation.
Richard Brethour-Bell (he/him)
Richard Brethour-Bell (Vice President, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion | Co-Chair, Human Rights Committee | Coordinator, Racism & Oppression Awareness Program at InterPride) was raised in South Central Los Angeles, California. At age 12, he became one of the few inner-city students chosen to attend school in the affluent West San Fernando Valley of L.A. County. After graduating high school, Richard could not afford to attend college. However, the dream of becoming a college graduate never left him. After struggling with his sexuality for decades, Richard began to live his authentic life in his 30s. He met his partner James Brethour in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2008, and the two married in James’ native Toronto, Canada, in 2010. They now live in Los Alamos, NM. The moment Richard accepted his truth, he began to fight for equality. He spoke before the New Mexico State Senate, demanding the right to marry after witnessing friends lose their homes and financial security when a partner died. He joined the Santa Fe Human Rights Alliance (HRA), the organization that produces Santa Fe Pride and became president. The organization created an LGBT+ Presidential Scholarship for the local community college.
In addition to leading the HRA, Richard has served as Region 3 director, CAPI VP, and WorldPride Co-Chair. Richard and James started a small business, and Richard completed college, earned a Master’s in Healthcare Administration, received a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Disabilities (LEND) fellowship, and is now in the process of completing a Special Education Teaching certification. As V.P. of Accessibility, Diversity & Inclusion, I will continue to promote equality and equity to continue the evolution of InterPride. We’ve made strides, but now is not the time to rest on our laurels and continue striving for growth, inclusion, and accessibility. When InterPride is strong, we’re in a better position to support membership.
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Global LGBTQIA+ News Update By Michael K. Lavers, the international news editor of the Washington Blade.
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