My placement at my summer internship is Library Developer at Youth Pride Inc. This placement has allowed me to directly assist a portion of the GBLT community in Rhode Island and to gain experience working with a broad range of people and personalities. It has given me the opportunity to learn about GBLT youth from the best possible source; the youth themselves.
My first objective working at YPI was to develop the on site library, to catalog the books, sort them according to subject or author and redecorate the space and replace some of the old signs and picture displays. I listed all the books in a master file according to subjects; biographies, fiction, school and vocational guides, etc...
Once they were all listed I began sorting them by title or author name with their appropriate subject. I created a system for checking items out of the library should the youth desire to do so. By recreating the library, I have encouraged its use by everyone who visits the center. I have found that there is a particular satisfaction in doing this type of work, which sometimes seems quite indirect. Seeing more people in the library has been a solid sign to me that I am making a difference for the center. It has been a trial in patience and fortitude to continue the project; there are some days I feel I make an enormous amount of progress and some days where it's harder to see that progress. I assigned the categories colors and filed them with colored stickers according to topic.
I
replaced the sign that had previously been on the library door with
one that I felt was more inclusive and welcoming.
My second objective was to create and lead a writing workshop at the drop in center. I created a workshop flyer that was posted on the weekly activity board, but the time had to be changed so the Cowardly Tomato ran Wednesday August 3rd at the YPI drop in center.
My third objective was raise my awareness of GBLT issues and improve my understanding of those issues. To that effect, I have read a number of books and articles on various subjects and I have had a number of illuminating conversations with a wide variety of people. This has furthered both my understanding of GBLT issues but also my ability to support people on these issues. I have broadened my knowledge on a wide range of topics including transgender issues, coming out and family support (or lack thereof). My conversations with people have been the most valuable in both experience and education. I have learned from the best source possible; GBLT people living their lives day in and day out. Their everyday experiences, their stories of triumph, discrimination, love and life. The stamina and the daily commitment to believe in who they are of these youth is astounding. This to me is the best possible defense against stereotyping and our societal efforts to fit people into neat little boxes. There's no box on Earth big enough to fit any one of us.
This internship has been a powerful step in the direction I want my career to progress in. It has added a great deal of certainty to that step, certainty that I am proceeding in the direction that is right for me. It has redoubled my commitment to the world's GBLT people and to improving their lives however it is in my power. This internship has allowed me to see my connection to to the population and assured me of the strength and value of my alliance. One more dot between now and my dream of studying human sexuality in San Francisco as been connected. This internship has pushed me to face personal fears of working with people I don't know and expanding my networking horizon. It's that kind of experience that turn a vague idea of what I want to do with my life and make it a solid reality that I know I am strong enough to meet.
