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President Obama has appointed Aditi Hardikar to a key White House position as liaison with the LGBT as well as the Asian American and Pacific Islanders communities. Hardikar, who till recently was director of the LGBT Leadership Council at the Democratic National Committee, replaces Gautam Raghavan, who has now joined the Gill Foundation as vice president of policy.
According to the Washington Blade, Hardikar began her new role as the associate director of public engagement Nov. 10. She is also the first woman of color to serve in her new position.
Her other roles include working as LGBT finance director for the Presidential Inaugural Committee in 2013 and as deputy director of LGBT Voter Outreach and LGBT Finance for the 2012 Obama-Biden President Campaign. She also planned events and organized progressive young Americans for the Campus Progress team at the Center for American Progress. Hardikar received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where she earned her B.A. in Economics and Political Science.
In an interview with the Washington Blade, which covers the latest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender news in Washington, D.C., and around the world, Raghavan praised Hardikar. “Aditi has served President Obama for many years — including on his 2012 campaign and at the DNC — with distinction, integrity, and grace,” Raghavan said. “She will bring fresh energy and perspective to the position and its portfolio. I also think it’s worth noting that she will be the first woman of color to serve as the White House LGBT Liaison — reflecting the talent and diversity of the LGBT movement as well as this president’s administration.”
Stephen Peters, spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, told the newspaper his organization is eager to work with Hardikar. “Aditi Hardikar has already been a tremendous advocate for our community in her work with the Democratic National Committee,” Peters said. “We are thrilled she will be joining the White House team and look forward to working with her on important issues in our ongoing fight for full equality.”
