LGBT youth offered chance at White House internship

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Observer Update) - The Obama Administration is reaching out to young people nationwide, including LGBT youth, to apply for White House internships, reported 365Gay.com.

The new program, which would take place this summer, would offer youth valuable job experience and an inside look at the life of White House staff.

In addition to normal office duties, interns will supplement their learning experience by attending a weekly lecture series hosted by senior White House staff, help at White House social events, and volunteer in community service projects.

The 2009 Summer Internship program runs from May 22 to August 14, and the submission deadline is March 22, 2009.

“Administration officials have reiterated to us their strong desire that the interns working in the White House should reflect the diversity of the country and that LGBT youth are part of that diversity,” said Candace Gingrich, senior manager for the HRC Foundation’s Youth and Campus Outreach Program.

“After eight years of a president who essentially ignored LGBT Americans, it is a step forward to have President Obama reaching out to queer youth and inviting them to take an active part in his administration.”

The Youth & Campus Outreach Program provides tools, facilitates connections, and empowers GenEQ to fight for LGBT equality on campus and beyond, said Gingrich.

Generation Equality, which is what HRC calls the current group of high school and college-aged young people, is more supportive of LGBT equality than any other generation in our country’s history.

Among the departments in the Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President where interns could be placed are the White House Office of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs; the White House Office of Legislative Affairs; and the Domestic Policy Council.

Other placements could include the Office of the First Lady and the Office of the Vice President.

Applications are available online through the White House Web site.