Richard grew up in New Jersey. He went to Williams College and obtained a BA in History in 1973. Whilst at college he became politically active, founded at left leaning journal "Counterpoint" and came out.

He studied sociology at Harvard and his doctoral thesis was published as: "Market Design: Client Relations and Organizational Power in the Management Consulting Firm" in 1988. He taught at the University of Maryland and at Alfred University. He was appointed Director of Research at the Center for Strategy Research in Boston.

In 1994 Richard founded the "Harvard Gay and Lesbian Review". At first readership was confined to Harvard but by the third issue of the quarterly journal it was obtaining a wider readership. In 2000 its title was changed to "Gay and Lesbian Review/Worldwide" and in 2001 it began to be published bi-monthly. Currently it has a circulation of 12,000 and is considered the leading GLBT cultural and intellectual journal in the United States.

In 1999 Richard met Stephen Hernick who became his partner. They live in Boston.