Gay youth offered chance at White House internship

(Washington) The Obama Administration is reaching out to young people nationwide, including LGBT youth, to apply for White House internships.

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.

http://www.365gay.com/news/gay-youth-offered-chance-at-white-house-internship/

Give more people opportunities to serve and to learn. This shows every gay/lesbian kid out there that they are valued by the government and that their input in how our country is run is needed.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/candace-gingrich/a-letter-to-my-brother-ne_b_145739.html

She wrote this in November.

Glad she had the guts to stand up to him.

:grouphug:

Sorry, just had to get that off my chest. :rofl:

:party:

I'm sure that's not a surprise to anybody, though...

LGBT youth shouldn't have to miss out on opportunities for enrichment such as this White House internship program. There are many bright kids who are this country's future. LGBT youth are part of this population.

Do whitehouse recruiters determine whether the kid is gay or not?

Are encouraging them to apply and would not discriminate against them if they disclosed their sexuality.

Which is welcome news, given how openly homophobic the White House was during King George's fascist regime.

I just don't understand why a gay group would use the term "queer" in a press release. Isn't this supposed to be equality? If I used that term in public, as a hetero, wouldn't I be publicly flogged? I am 100% percent behind equality for all but I just don't understand why a major spokesman would use that term. Why not just say gay youth. I'm not looking for a flame war. I'm just wondering.

QUICK EDIT: I think this program is awesome. Just didn't like the language of that groups spokesman.