OUT ON THE HILL is the official blog of the Victory Congressional Interns. Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. Learn more about the internship at victoryinstitute.org/vci.
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The brightly pink and colorful cherry blossoms are among my favorite things about springtime in DC. Another is the celebration and community created around the advent of spring.
When compiling my photos for my final presentation, I noticed numerous photos of cherry blossoms. Annoyingly, I had more pictures of cherry blossoms than I did of images of my internship. However, upon further investigation, I realized that these touristy photos of the brightly colored flower each accompanied a memory. Whether that was strolling down the tidal basin with my roommate, exploring the Enid Gardens, or just snapping a photo while commuting to my internship. I quickly noticed that those springtime photos were more impactful because of the community I shared them with, and that is the beauty of the VCI – the community you create. Although the VCI experience is brief, much like Cherry Blossoms, it shows you the true impact of building community and the impact of leading out loud on the hill.
The VCI experience is a fast-paced 8 or 10-week congressional internship that occurs Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Friday programming that typically lasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Though this program is short, it surely goes by fast. It is jam-packed with unique experiences that allow you to grow personally and professionally. I have become more enriched both from the experiences I gained in my congressional internship and the experiences within VCI.
What makes VCI unique is that not only do you get to connect with many LGBTQ+ professionals, but also the program connects you with the greater DC community through community service. I had the fortunate opportunity to volunteer at the DC LGBTQ+ center in their Fashion FREEway event, which gave free clothes, hygiene kits, coffee, books, and HIV testing to anyone who stopped by. It was so enriching to see such a strong LGBTQ+ Center that provided such critical needs, and to be a part of it was truly enriching. Having a volunteer experience like this makes you not only a better leader but a better advocate.
During my congressional internship, I had unforgettable experiences in and out of my internship. With my VCI cohort and new friends from the internship, I enjoyed many activities, such as volunteering in the DC community, celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility at the National Mall, cooking and trying new recipes, and taking after-hour tours of the Capitol. These memories were made possible by Victory’s focus on building a strong sense of community among the cohort. The most special thing about VCI is the network of passionate LGBTQ+ individuals and the community you develop in and out of your cohort.
My small cohort consists of only four people; I have grown to respect them deeply and now consider them all my friends. Also, our cohort is unique because we all identify as nonbinary or transgender– marking a milestone within the VCI program. It is a unique experience you wouldn’t find in any other congressional internship experience. Although our life experiences differ, we have learned much from each other and created a great community of support.
As I reflect on the past ten weeks, I not only look back on the photos I have accumulated full of cherry blossoms, smiling faces, and marble architecture, but I reflect on the memories I have made and the community I have created amongst my cohort. Through the VCI program, I have developed a network of LGBTQ+ professionals, overcome new challenges, explored new places in DC, and made friends and memories that will last a lifetime. Truly, Victory has equipped me with the skills, network, and support to help me succeed in any career path I pursue. The VCI program is a one-of-a-kind experience. Not only is it financially accessible, but it also helps to build a sense of community among the cohort, the Victory Network, and the larger LGBTQ+ community in DC. Like cherry blossoms, the VCI experience is short, but its impact is memorable and colorful.
