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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As a forward-thinker – and an overthinker – I always think about what is next for me. That thought is all the more prevalent as I approach the end of my congressional internship. Since high school, I have wanted to attend law school straight after completing my undergraduate degree. After meeting my incredibly talented roommate Brooke in May, who is currently taking that same path I drew out for myself, this goal was further rooted in my life plan. However, looking back on the lessons I learned throughout this internship, I realized that maybe that path isn’t exactly right for me.
This program exposed me to countless opportunities my professional career could take. From the career panel to hearing about the professional trajectory of my mentors, and the staff in my congressional office, they have all reinforced the importance of charting your own journey. Moreover, after completing an internship on the Hill, it is easier to picture myself returning here to gain meaningful experience before attending law school.
Speaking of pictures, as my Amtrak train pulled into Union Station at the end of May, I envisioned being embraced into a queer community that welcomed our various identities with open arms. As the weeks passed, the reality sunk in that oftentimes in an identity-focused environment like Victory, it is easy to look past the other intersecting identities in the room. As someone with an invisible disability, this intersection can be less apparent for individuals. Yet, it remains a crucial part of my identity and life experiences.
Throughout my life, this disability has “inconvenienced” others, from having accommodations to merely upholding the basic tenets of what it means to be a friend or colleague. At the same time, I have found this intersection meaningful both in my work on the Hill and interpersonally.
For example, as part of my internship on the Hill, I was tasked with writing a memo regarding a bill addressing the cost of healthcare in the U.S. Due to the marginalized identities I possess, this assignment was not only extremely important but also personal– it necessitates greater and unique healthcare needs. Further, growing up utilizing different healthcare plans has exposed me to their gross disparities.
For millions of disabled people across the U.S., having access to high-quality, affordable, and comprehensive healthcare is not a luxury but necessary for survival. Working on this issue was highly rewarding; I utilized my lived experiences and transformed them into tangible change. Being able to touch peoples’ lives, albeit indirectly on the federal level, draws many to public service. This task amplified this reality, similar to how I see myself uplifting people’s voices in the court of law in the future.
A highlight of my summer was returning home to Brooklyn with one of my close friends from the program, Sueli. Our connection in and of itself has been valuable, finding an inner sense of community within the broader one of Victory. When we were both in New York, she introduced me to a few of her friends who are also disabled. Being introduced to that community resonated with me, not only because I call New York home, but because I can connect through our shared experiences. These experiences were reassuring for me. It reminded me that I can find community wherever I go, meeting like-minded people who value the beauty of your identities. As this internship experience comes to a close, I look back on these experiences, reminding myself that we are all still finding our way.
