This post is an interview with one of our new interns. Welcome, Emily!

Who are you?

Hi everyone! My name is Emily Michelman and I am the new Volunteer Intern for Family Equality Council. I grew up in Annapolis, Maryland, but when I graduated from high school my parents headed down south to Durham, North Carolina. I spend most of my time in Poughkeepsie, New York where I attend Vassar College. I am a rising senior majoring in Women’s Studies.

What brought you to Family Equality Council? What interests you about LGBT families?

I was looking for a summer internship where I could help make a difference and learn important business skills along the way. I started looking for a job where I could put my academic focus in Women’s Studies and Queer Studies to active work. I knew it was time I took my academic passions out of the classroom and into our communities. Through my experience working with children, I have always felt family, love and equality should priorities.

Do you remember a specific moment or story that made you become an advocate for equality? For LGBT families specifically?

Coming from a fairly liberal home, but growing up in a conservative environment, I was constantly alarmed about the accepted prejudices happening around me. Then, during my Intro to Women’s Studies Class at Vassar, I found myself having ‘click’ moments almost every class. From first semester, I knew I was destined to be a life-long advocate for equality. Reading Kath Weston’s Families We Choose really sparked my interest in kinship and how families are viewed in America. I have continued to pursue this interest academically, and my passion has grown for the issues as I see my LGBTQ friends have their relations and families unjustly questioned. In addition, I have spent much of my time around children through working at day camps. I see how susceptible children are to comments of ignorance and bullying. I have had the pleasure of helping with amazing activism for children, including a Queer Coloring Book Workshop this past spring. Helping with such programming made me very excited for future work with LGBT families!

What are you most looking forward to about working with Family Equality Council?

This summer I hope to learn about the behind the scene workings of a nonprofit. As the Volunteer Intern, I am specifically excited to organize and excite people about issues that I am passionate about. I am also eager to get to know some of the families that support Family Equality Council. In short, I hope to help make a difference, learn skills, and have fun! Simple goals, really…

Know what you want to be when you grow up? ; )
This question gets scarier and scarier as ‘growing up’ (or, graduation) looms near. I plan on taking a break from academia after graduation, and later apply to grad school, perhaps for Social Work. I have always been drawn to counseling, and think this may be a career I would like to pursue. I definitely plan on following my interests in Women’s Studies and Queer Studies.

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