FALL 2015 UNDERGRADUATE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and AIDS Project, New York
For nearly 100 years, the ACLU has been our nation’s guardian of liberty, working in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBT community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach. With more than a million members, activists, and supporters, the ACLU is a nationwide organization that fights tirelessly in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., for the principle that every individual’s rights must be protected equally under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability or national origin.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and AIDS Project of the ACLU’s National Office in New York City seeks a part-time undergraduate intern for the Fall of 2015. A stipend is available for those students who do not receive outside funding and/or course credit. Arrangements can be made with educational institutions for work/study or course credit.
OVERVIEW
Founded in 1986, the LGBT & AIDS Project is a division of the national office of the ACLU. The goal of the LGBT and AIDS Project is the creation of a society in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and people with HIV enjoy the basic rights of equality, privacy and personal autonomy, and freedom of belief, expression and association. This means an America where there’s the ability to live open and honest lives without fear of discrimination or abuse, where there’s respect for our identities, relationships and families, and where there’s fair treatment in employment, schools, health care, housing and public places and programs.
The Project brings “impact” lawsuits in state and federal courts throughout the country – cases designed to have a significant effect on the lives of LGBT people and those with HIV/AIDS. The Project’s legal strategies are built on the idea that fighting for civil rights means not only persuading judges, but also ultimately changing the way people think. As the Project litigates for change, it implements targeted media, online and outreach campaigns to change public attitudes through education and to give people on the front lines the tools they need to act.
As a part of the ACLU, the Project is in a unique position to work for equality. The ACLU’s national network of affiliates broadens the Project’s reach into every locality and into the federal government. Today, the ACLU brings more LGBT cases and advocacy initiatives than any other national civil rights organization. The Project strives to ensure that the racial and economic diversity of the LGBT community is reflected in its work, and continues to explore ways to make its efforts more sensitive to the needs of people of color and people who are economically disadvantaged. The Project’s work as part of the broad civil liberties agenda of the ACLU exemplifies the notion that the LGBT community and the community of those living with HIV/AIDS must work in concert with other social change movements in order to achieve a just society for all.
INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW
The internship typically requires a semester long commitment, is part-time with and has a flexible schedule. .
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Interns will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience by working alongside the LGBT and AIDS Project Staff. Interns will gain experience by:
- Tracking and responding to intakes;
- Conducting general, legal and policy research relating to current and prospective cases;
- Tracking state-level legislation related to LGBT issues and AIDS;
- Maintaining case records and compiling press files;
- Working on other projects as assigned;
DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Familiarity with civil rights and civil liberties issues affecting LGBT people and those living with HIV is desirable; commitment to those issues is essential.
- Excellent research, writing and communication skills.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Strong organizational skills.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a cover letter describing your interest in LGBT and AIDS related issues and civil liberties, including any relevant life or work experience; a resume, writing sample, and unofficial transcript to hrjobsLGBTintern@aclu.org – reference [LGBT Fall 2015 Undergraduate Internship] and your last name in the subject line. Please note that this is not the general ACLU applicant e-mail address. This address is specific to LGBT & AIDS Project postings. In order to ensure your application is received, please make certain it is sent to the correct e-mail address.
Please indicate in your cover letter where you learned of this internship opportunity.
Students are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible as decisions are made on a rolling basis and will be accepted until the positions are filled.
This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU reserves the right to change the description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.
The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status.
The ACLU undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions.
We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations in the application process to contact:hrjobsincl@aclu.org. Correspondence sent to this email address that is not related to requests for accommodations will not be reviewed. Applicants should follow the instructions above regarding how to apply.