[Former] President of the Imposter Syndrom Club
by: Devin Green
“Is this your first congressional internship?” I saw the private Microsoft Teams message from Representative Angie Craig’s legislative correspondent come through and I immediately panicked. As President of the Imposter Syndrome Club, I immediately thought the gig was up. She knew I was an incompetent intern who could no longer be trusted as the go-to person for drafting constituent form letters, which had come to be one of my favorite tasks. After responding in the affirmative, she replied, “Wow! Your letters are great! Do you mind writing a couple more?” Immediately, my panic turned to glee as I happily took on more form letters.
As I’ve progressed through the last four weeks of my internship, I have had several moments like this. From drafting form letters for the legislative correspondent to assisting with casework for the constituent advocates, my internship has granted me numerous opportunities to silence my imposter syndrome after a job well done. I’ve often had people tell me that the one thing that will get in the way of my success is not society, it’s me and the ways that I’ve convinced myself of my imaginary incompetence. While this internship has undoubtedly given me an incredible network and set of hard skills to aid my future work in public policy, it has also given me a skill that I will continue to carry with me through all realms of life, from law school to the White House: confidence.
As I’ve returned drafts to the legislative correspondent, my emails have shifted from “Here are my drafts. Please let me know if you have any feedback or comments” to simply “Here you go!” I’ve learned how to trust that I have done quality work and trust her to give me feedback as necessary. This shift has brought a liberation that I never knew existed. Gone are the days that I wait in dread for comments every time I submit a document to a member of the legislative team. Here are the days where I learn to trust myself and trust the process.
Unfortunately, it looks like I may now have to change my title to “Former President of the Imposter Syndrome Club.” Fortunately, I get to make room for a more accurate and liberating title: “Congressional Intern.”
On the Offense
by: Isaac James
A record 30+ anti-LGBTQIA+ bills were introduced during the 87th Texas Legislative Session this past January to May. As an intern with the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus, I was on the front lines of defense against homophobic and transphobic legislators seeking to restrict the rights of queer and trans Texans, specifically transgender youth. My experience in the Texas House of Representatives stands in direct contrast to my experience working in the U.S. House of Representatives. Working for Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, an openly gay member of Congress and Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, has introduced me to the power of being on the offense instead of the defense. After working during a session full of hate and bigotry in my home state, my work in Rep. Maloney’s office has been incredibly refreshing and empowering.
As a Victory Congressional Intern, I’ve been assigned to assist the staff member in Rep. Maloney’s office who oversees the LGBTQIA+ issues portfolio for the Congressman. I’ve had the opportunity to work on two bills authored by Rep. Maloney that seek positive, substantive change for LGBTQIA+ Americans across the country: the Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act and the LGBTQ Essential Data Act. It’s pretty astounding that federal funds still pay for conversion therapy across the country — the Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act would end this practice and ensure the federal government refuses to endorse harmful and damaging “therapy” programs that affect thousands of Americans. The LGBTQ Essential Data Act would ensure that the CDC collects accurate data on deadly hate crimes against queer and trans individuals, which disproportionately affect transgender women of color, to give policymakers more efficient tools to prevent future hate crimes.
I’ve been tasked with securing co-sponsorships for these bills, which helps add weight to their status in committees and on the floor, and communicating with other Congressional staff members assigned to oversee LGBTQ+ issues for their office. Before interning with Rep. Maloney, I was blissfully unaware of the gaps in national policies that allowed targeting and promoted erasure of LGBTQIA+ identities on the taxpayers’ dime. My work has exposed me to the need for further progress at the national level, especially given the rare unified Democratic control of government. I’ve learned valuable insight into the daily, behind-the-scenes work of the U.S. Congress rarely seen on cable news. Participating in this work makes me feel like I’m a part of something bigger than myself and something that will make the world a better place for countless people. It stands in stark contrast to my time with the Texas Legislature, where we had to fight tooth and nail to prevent harmful bills from taking away the rights of my friends and neighbors. I hope to continue working on the offense and I’m stoked for the day when LGBTQIA+ advocates can be on the offense in all 50 states.
