LGBTQ Campus Events Facilitator

COMMUNITY PARTNER

ASU LGBTQA Services

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP

Duties

This internship focuses on development and implementation of events, programs and other activities that cater to Arizona State University’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning and ally (LGBTQA) communities. The position will work directly with the LGBTQ Specialist.

Intern(s) will have the opportunity to:

LGBTQA Fall Welcome

• Participate in the planning of the LGBTQA Fall Welcome
• Provide mentoring as a peer leader greeting new students, leading ice-breakers and answering questions.

Co-facilitate LGBTQA Events

• LGBTQA Events are discussion based for those seeking the opportunity to have academic dialogues (not debates) about different topics that address the experiences of LGBTQA students at ASU.
• Interns will help develop topics, use social media to advertise, participate while developing facilitation skills throughout the semester

Develop and co-facilitate LGBTQA Support/Discussion Group

• The weekly discussion group is a safe space for students to talk about the coming out process and discuss life in college as an LGBTQ individual.
• Interns will assist in developing the support group, collaborate with Counseling Services and relevant academic departments, and act as a peer facilitator.

Co-facilitate Q-Connect

• Q-Connect is a pan-campus, anonymous and confidential online discussion group. It is an informal online chat resource for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer students, as well as those who may be questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity or navigating through the process of coming out at Arizona State University.
• Interns will be online for one hour every week facilitating dialogue for LGBTQA students who may log-on with questions.

Organize the Lavender Convocation Ceremony and LGBTQA Services Awards (Spring Only)

• Lavender Convocation is an end of the year celebration for LGBTQA communities at ASU. We honor students who will be graduating and distribute awards to individuals who have demonstrated excellence for LGBTQA communities.
• Intern will assist LGBTQ Specialist in planning and organizing all aspects of this event.

Participate in/Plan SpeakOUT

• SpeakOUT is a collection of student members of the LGBTQA community at ASU. These students participate in panel discussions about LGBTQA issues on and off campus in classrooms, for organizations and faculty/staff meetings. They also act as peer mentors to new LGBTQA students. Through these meetings, the members of SpeakOUT hope to reduce the levels of homo, bi, and transphobia on campus and bring awareness of LGBTQA issues to the rest of the campus and build positive identities necessary to thrive.
• Intern will assist in contacting professors and departments to schedule SpeakOUT panels, match mentors/mentees and co-facilitate the SpeakOUT Member Training and participate as a panelist/peer mentor as needed.

Interns will also have the opportunity to facilitate SafeZONE workshops, collaborate with various university departments to implement policies and assist in the day to day operations of LGBTQA Services.

Also interested in students from West, Downtown or the Polytechnic campus.

Population served

LGBTQA communities remain invisible and there is a lack of knowledge about the specific issues LGBTQA students may address. This internship will provide opportunities to educate the campus community and raise awareness about LGBTQA issues while empowering and affirming students to be successful on and off campus.

Community need/impact

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and ally (LGBTQA)communities at ASU are a vulnerable and marginalized community. It is important to raise awareness and educate the campus community through programs such as SpeakOUT and SafeZONE. It is also essential to provide support and programs geared towards LGBTQA students who may be experience a variety of challenges and difficulties associated with coming out or questioning your sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Programs like OUTspoken, the LGBTQA Support Group and Q-Connect address the challenges and provide support for LGBTQA students.

The programs offered by LGBTQA Services addresses the need for visibility, empowerment and engagement of LGBTQA communities. Interns will be working to develop allies through educating the campus community which will provide individuals with the basic knowledge about LGBTQA communities and some strategies to create supportive and inclusive environments for LGBTQA students. Interns will also be working directly with LGBTQA students providing opportunities for dialogue, discussion and support. By being a peer mentor and a visible student leader, interns will pave a path of affirmation and acceptance while transforming the campus climate to be more inclusive of LGBTQA communities.