Richard Brethour-Bell
The Elephant in the Room Series is hosted by Richard Brethour-Bell, Vice President, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion | Co-Chair, Human Rights Committee | Coordinator, Racism & Oppression Awareness Program (ROAP) at InterPride. Richard 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.