Christopher Kawasaki

Point Scholar: 2005-2006

Harvard University
M.A., Public Policy

Chris was born and raised in a conservative Christian family in Virginia, where his mother home-schooled him until the age of fourteen. At fifteen the Evangelical Christian school he was attending learned that he was gay and asked him to leave. After being sent to Christian corrective therapy and taking away his computer, his mother informed him that gays were not allowed in their house.

He subsequently spent most of high school between his own home and those of his friends. After graduating high school with honors, he eventually enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude while working two jobs to support himself. Most of his time at Penn was also spent leading a number of LGBT-affiliated organizations that dealt with issues of sexuality, race, and increasing understanding between communities.

Currently, he is persuing a Masters of Public Policy at Harvard, where he is one of the youngest students enrolled. With his degree he hopes to be a future policy-maker and influence the laws and the discourse that shape our lives. He is also currently leading Harvard’s Mothership group, an umbrella organization responsible for connecting all LGBT groups across campus.

Although his relationship with his parents has improved in the past couple years, they still refuse to discuss or condone his “lifestyle.” His education and cost of living are also considered to be his own responsibility.