Queer South Asian advocate, policy leader, and public servant

Born: c. 1989, United States
Pronouns: She/Her
Identities: Lesbian, Indian American
Field: Public Policy, Political Organizing, Advocacy

Overview
Aditi Hardikar is a prominent Indian American lesbian advocate, public servant, and policy expert known for her work in the White House under the Obama administration. She has played a vital role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights, racial equity, and minority representation in government. Hardikar’s career reflects her commitment to uplifting marginalized communities, especially LGBTQ+ people of color and the South Asian diaspora.

Early Life and Education
Hardikar was raised in the United States in a South Asian immigrant household. Her upbringing in a culturally conservative environment shaped her understanding of intersectional identity and the complexities of being both queer and South Asian. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in public policy, where she was active in student organizing and advocacy work.

Career and Advocacy

Obama Administration
Aditi Hardikar served as the LGBT Liaison and Associate Director of Public Engagement in the White House during President Barack Obama’s second term. In this role, she was a key figure in engaging the LGBTQ+ community and advancing federal policies that supported queer individuals, especially those who were also part of communities of color. She also focused on outreach to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.

Hardikar played a central part in organizing inclusive events at the White House, including the first-ever Hindu and Sikh American White House events and expanded engagement with LGBTQ+ leaders of color. Her visibility as a queer woman of color in a senior federal position served as inspiration and representation for underrepresented communities.

Post-White House Work
After her time in the Obama administration, Hardikar continued her work in politics and advocacy. She held leadership roles in Democratic political campaigns and policy coalitions, working on issues such as healthcare equity, voter protection, and racial justice.

She also became involved in broader community engagement efforts, mentoring young queer South Asians and speaking publicly about the challenges and strengths of living at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities.

Legacy and Impact
Aditi Hardikar’s work stands as a testament to the power of representation and intersectionality in American politics. She has opened doors for LGBTQ+ South Asians in political spaces where they have historically been excluded. Her advocacy continues to shape conversations about inclusion, visibility, and systemic change, particularly within government institutions.

Her leadership reminds many that political engagement can be a site of transformation, especially when it centers the lived experiences of queer people of color.