Matt comes to Equality Connecticut with 15 years of experience in LGBTQIA+ and HIV activism and nonprofit administration. After graduating from the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in English, Matt began his career as a Field Organizer for Love Makes a Family, working in communities around Connecticut to galvanize support for same-sex marriage. Simultaneously, Matt worked on the HIV Prevention team at the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective. In 2009, Matt joined the Elton John AIDS Foundation where he spent 10 years working on a grant-making program addressing HIV treatment access, prevention, and the systemic causes of the HIV epidemic in the United States. In 2019, Matt set up a small consulting practice that supports social justice organizations in fundraising, strategic planning, and project management. He is really excited to work with fellow advisory board members and the community at large to build a lasting queer-led social justice organization in Connecticut. With deep roots in the Prospect/Greater Waterbury area, Matt is continually drawn to the beauty and vibrancy of Connecticut’s cities and people. Matt is driven by a fierce commitment to advocacy, movement building, social development, and cultural production that build solidarity across social justice movements among queer people.
Matt can be reached at matt@eqct.org.
Leah Juliett is an award-winning activist, writer, community educator, public speaker, social media strategist, campaign builder, and engagement expert with a decade of LGBTQ+ advocacy and organizing experience. Leah is an author, two-time TED speaker, passionate speechwriter, and lived-experience expert on the subjects of technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Leah is the Founder of Survivor Social Media, a social media consulting firm for social impact organizations. Born and raised in Connecticut, Leah comes to Equality Connecticut with a well-established commitment to Connecticut’s queer and trans community. Leah has worked in Congress with Senate Democrats, consulted with global and national policy leaders, and has worked alongside influential LGBTQ+ organizations to develop brand voices and language that generate empathy, drive power, and inspire political change both online and offline.
Leah has spoken at The White House and the United States Capitol, on global television and media, and in state general assemblies nationwide. Leah fights for democracy with intersectional and empathy-driven communications — from Congress to Connecticut.
Leah can be reached at leah@eqct.org