The Elephant in the Room Series | Part Two with Kenita Placide
07/28/23 • 15 min
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 40th episode, The Elephant in the Room Series | Part Two with Kenita Placide, 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.
About Episode 40
In this episode, we’re proud to feature part two 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.
About Our Guest Speaker
Kenita Placide (they/them)
Kenita Placide is a nonbinary native of the island/country of Saint Lucia. They are the Founder and Executive Director of the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality(ECADE). They are social justice and human rights advocates with a specific focus on Health and HIV, women’s rights, LGBT rights, youth, and climate change. They have advocated HIV and human rights, including women, youth, and LGBTI issues, for over 16 years and have worn many hats to bring attention and funding to the smaller islands in the eastern part of the Caribbean. ECADE is an independent umbrella organization, including organizations operating in the small islands in the eastern Caribbean from the Virgin Islands down to Grenada. They are the founder and organizer of the only Caribbean Women and Sexual Diversity Conference from 2013 to the present.
About Our Series Host
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.
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.
Want to contribute as a guest?
Visit www.interpride.org/podcastcontributor.
News Contributor
Global LGBTQIA+ News Update By Michael K. Lavers, the international news editor of the Washington Blade.
Follow InterPride on social media at Facebook (InterPride) | Facebook (WorldPride) | Instagram |
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 40th episode, The Elephant in the Room Series | Part Two with Kenita Placide, 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.
About Episode 40
In this episode, we’re proud to feature part two 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.
About Our Guest Speaker
Kenita Placide (they/them)
Kenita Placide is a nonbinary native of the island/country of Saint Lucia. They are the Founder and Executive Director of the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality(ECADE). They are social justice and human rights advocates with a specific focus on Health and HIV, women’s rights, LGBT rights, youth, and climate change. They have advocated HIV and human rights, including women, youth, and LGBTI issues, for over 16 years and have worn many hats to bring attention and funding to the smaller islands in the eastern part of the Caribbean. ECADE is an independent umbrella organization, including organizations operating in the small islands in the eastern Caribbean from the Virgin Islands down to Grenada. They are the founder and organizer of the only Caribbean Women and Sexual Diversity Conference from 2013 to the present.
About Our Series Host
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.
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.
Want to contribute as a guest?
Visit www.interpride.org/podcastcontributor.
News Contributor
Global LGBTQIA+ News Update By Michael K. Lavers, the international news editor of the Washington Blade.
Follow InterPride on social media at Facebook (InterPride) | Facebook (WorldPride) | Instagram |
Previous Episode
Taiwan After Marriage Equality
Introducing InterPod: The Global Voices of Pride Podcast | Episode 39 — Taiwan After Marriage Equality.
Discover the power of community support with InterPod, the InterPride podcast series that unites the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide.
The LGBTQIA+ community has made remarkable strides in the ongoing battle for acceptance and visibility. At InterPod, we believe in amplifying these voices and ensuring they resonate far and wide. Join us as we shed light on the tireless efforts of LGBTQIA+ individuals who have dedicated decades to fighting for their right to be seen and heard.
About Episode 39
Taiwan became the first Asian country to pass marriage equality back in 2019. We discuss with members of Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association 台灣同志諮詢熱線協會, the first official LGBTQIA+ organization in the country, what Taiwan is like now towards LGBTQIA+ rights.
About Sean Sih-Cheng Du (he/him)
Sean Sih-Cheng Du, Secretary-General, Taiwan Tongzhi (LGBTQ+) Hotline Association Sean joined Taiwan Tongzhi (LGBTQ+) Hotline Association in 2002 as a volunteer and has been since actively involved in the work on gender education and HIV prevention. He became Hotline's Director of Policy Advocacy in 2011 and the Secretary-General in 2021. His work includes gay men’s sexual health, workplace equality, and international affairs. He was a board member of the Taiwan Equality Campaign and a member of the Taipei City Committee of Gender Equality.
About Mei-Ying Juan (she/her)
Mei-Ying Juan, Director of Marketing, Taiwan Tongzhi (LGBTQ+) Hotline Association Mei-Ying formerly gained experience as a social worker in sexual violence and HIV/AIDS. She is the first straight employee in Hotline as the Director of Marketing since 2015, and now she is responsible for telephone consultation service, connecting social movements aiming to publicize LGBTQ+ activities and workplace equality.
Want to contribute as a guest?
Visit www.interpride.org/podcastcontributor.
News Contributor
Global LGBTQIA+ News Update By Michael K. Lavers, the international news editor of the Washington Blade.
Follow InterPride on social media at Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Apple | Google | Eventbrite | Medium | Twitch | Mastodon.Social | Universeodon.com
Next Episode
Florida's Anti-Trans Legislation
Introducing InterPod: The Global Voices of Pride Podcast | Episode 41— Florida’s Anti-Trans Legislation.
Discover the power of community support with InterPod, the InterPride podcast series that unites the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide.
The LGBTQIA+ community has made remarkable strides in the ongoing battle for acceptance and visibility. At InterPod, we believe in amplifying these voices and ensuring they resonate far and wide. Join us as we shed light on the tireless efforts of LGBTQIA+ individuals who have dedicated decades to fighting for their right to be seen and heard.
About Episode 41
Legislation targeting our trans community continues in the State of Florida. Listen in as we talk with Nathan Bruemmer about the impact and ongoing efforts to fight back!
About Nathan Bruemmer (he/him/his)
Nathan Bruemmer is the former Executive Director of ALSO Youth in Sarasota, FL — a community center focusing on outreach, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth. He is a recent graduate of Stetson University College of Law where he was a member of Stetson Law’s Trial Team, Dispute Resolution Board, and Journal of Advocacy and the Law. Nathan is a Florida native, a graduate of the University of South Florida and a former teacher in Hillsborough County. He has worked as a consultant, educator and advocate on behalf of LGBTQ+ youth, the transgender community, and those impacted by food and housing insecurity.
Nathan was named one of the Tampa Bay Area’s “Most Remarkable People” in 2018 by Watermark Media. The Tampa Bay Business Journal presented him with the Business of Pride “Outstanding Voice Award” for his advocacy work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community in 2017.
Nathan currently serves as the President and acting Executive Director of St Pete Pride. He also serves on the Sarasota County Bar Association’s Council of Diversity and Inclusion, the TransAction Florida Advisory Council, and the Board of Directors for the Rainbow Housing Coalition.
Want to contribute as a guest?
Visit www.interpride.org/podcastcontributor.
Follow InterPride on social media at Facebook (InterPride) | Facebook (WorldPride) | Instagram | Threads | TikTok | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Twitch | Eventbrite | Mastodon.Social | Universeodon.com
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