Theo Zhang

Theo Zhang is a Master in Public Policy candidate at Harvard Kennedy School. Before HKS, Theo received a bachelor’s degree in political science and International Relations from Tufts University. He is an experienced advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, immigration policy, housing policy, and intersectional social justice. Theo began his career as a media department intern at the Beijing LGBT Center, where he managed social media engagement and content creation. Theo then narrowed his focus to LGBTQ advocacy in housing and immigration policies. At the Mass Commission for LGBTQ Youth, he conducted policy and legal research on housing and immigration issues, drafting policy recommendations that were incorporated into the final deliverable. Building on his understanding of immigration challenges facing LGBTQ youth, Theo worked with the immigration unit at Mass Law Reform Institute to research and document misconduct by immigration officers towards LGBTQ applicants. Theo also drafted an advocacy plan for establishing LGBTQIA+ under the Particular Social Group category and created draft guidelines for best practices in conducting interviews with LGBTQ applicants. After HKS, Theo wishes to start a career in using lobbying as a tool for LGBTQ advocacy at the state and local level. Outside of school, Theo is a dog dad, a ceramicist, and an enthusiastic Modern Family fan.