603 Equality, the two-year-old statewide LGBTQ+ rights nonprofit that advocates for legislative and policy change in New Hampshire, now has its first full-time employee with the hiring of Aimee Tarravechia as the organization’s executive director.

Reports The Laconia Daily Sun:

Terravechia, a former sales representative at The Laconia Daily Sun, started her new position Dec. 29. She said this came at a perfect time for the organization — entering its third year of existence — as Jan. 7-8 were the first days of the new legislative session. In her role, she’ll strive to be a connection to the Statehouse for lobbying, directing policy and focusing on advocacy work.

“Our organization does this in a multitude of ways, through community organizing, engagement, storyteller series and de-escalation trainings,” Terravechia said.

Terravechia grew up in Alton, and said things have changed since then. She recalls a time when it was rare anyone “came out” in school.

“It is such a different landscape now, but there is still a lot of fear and misinformation,” she said.

The primary challenge of the new role, she said, is being able to make the case for pending legislation.

“A lot of legislators fail to see the greater impact that legislation has,” Terravechia said. “It goes beyond the LGBTQ+ community, and raises privacy and safety concerns for everyone.” …

“We are at a weird point here in New Hampshire with what is going on at the Statehouse,” she said. “We heard three bills last week retained from the 2025 legislative session, but there are 24 pending bills scheduled, maybe more, that target or deal with the LGBTQ community.”

Terravechia said the bills cover a “range of topics,” with some involving issues like banning books or bathroom access, marriage equality and athletics involving the transgender community.

“There is a lot of misinformation and a lot of people disengaged in the political process,” Terravechia said. “My hope is to make people feel that they can engage in a meaningful and impactful way.”

603 Equality was founded in 2023, and before Terravechia’s hiring was run by a working board of directors. She called it a “dedicated, small, but mighty team” heavily involved in the day-to-day operations, working to achieve the goals. Terravechia praised the board, saying they bring a wealth of experience and a wide range of knowledge.

“By hiring me, the hope is for the board to do a lot more strategic work,” she said. “Even though I’m their first full-time employee, it is a team effort.”

Read the complete Laconia Daily Sun story here.

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