DC is a surprising city. It’s a beautiful place with so much history, you could throw a rock and hit a landmark around here- it’s just so tense. I don’t know if DC is always this way or if it’s the current administration, but there’s an aura of apprehension that hangs in the air. However, it could be living in a building full of people paying close attention to the political landscape and interning at the Human Rights Campaign that makes it feel like the end of days. But it does feel like I’m living through history being this close to everything. Going out and meeting people who were laid off from the Federal Government, attending President Jimmy Carter’s viewing, going to the People’s March and other protests in front of monuments and government agencies, makes everything feel so immediate, so real. Honestly, I’m really glad I came at this time. It might not be the most joyful experience at the moment, but it’s important. What’s happening now and how we respond to it will define the future and set a precedent for the future of our government and I’m honored to be a part of that.
As a Policy and Political Affairs Intern at the Human Rights Campaign, I am working on the Municipal Equality Index which examines how inclusive laws, policies, and services are, particularly for the LGBT+ community. I also help with legal outreach to connect pro bono or low-cost attorneys to members of the community who need legal assistance. I love what I do and the community I help, it feels impactful and that’s all I wanted out of being in DC. The work HRC does is especially impactful right now, given the myriad of policy changes and proposals at the federal and state level that threaten LGBT+ people’s rights. While being there, I have witnessed responses and plans of action crafted to defend against executive orders attempting to reinstate the ban on transgender people from the military, restrict gender markers on official documents, direct agencies to block gender-affirm care, and so on.
While I am not at the forefront of this, it’s fascinating and inspiring to hear people discuss different avenues to address the situation and take great care to protect as many individuals as possible. HRC has shown me that nonprofits and the work they do are way more important than I thought they were, especially at a time when the rights of marginalized groups are being threatened. It’s not glamorous work, but these organizations ensure that the people still have a voice in this system. I am grateful to be a part of that work in a small way and I am grateful for this whole experience. I will carry the lessons I learned in DC forever and use them to inform what I do for the rest of my career.