American Civil Liberties Union

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
2009 FALL UNDERGRADUATE INTERNSHIP
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
LESBIAN GAY BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER & AIDS PROJECT, NY

OVERVIEW:

The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) and AIDS Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) seeks applicants for semester-long Undergraduate Internships in New York City starting in September 2009.

Founded in 1920, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), with more than 5 National offices and 50 affiliates across the country, is America’s foremost advocate of individual rights.

The LGBT & AIDS 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. In coalition with other civil rights groups, we also lobby in Congress and support grassroots advocacy, from local school boards to state legislatures. Our legal strategies are built on the idea that fighting for civil rights means not just persuading judges but ultimately changing the way people think. As we litigate for change, we use targeted media, online and outreach campaigns to change public attitudes, as well as provide advocacy tools to help citizens take action in their community. As part of the broad civil liberties mission of the ACLU, the Project brings together the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities with other social change movements to achieve a just society for all. For more information visit aclu.org/lgbt.

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW:

Internships are unpaid positions with flexible schedules designed to accommodate the coursework/employment of the interns. In addition to providing general support to Project staff and attorneys, interns will assist in the design and implementation of public education/media strategies and outreach campaigns, and work with staff to build coalitions with LGBT organizations and community-based service organizations working on issues surrounding HIV/AIDS and/or LGBT rights.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· General support to the Project’s public education, field, development and legal staff.

· Responsible for researching media outlets for press outreach and organizing mailings of published materials.

· Research areas for public education outreach and draft press materials.

· Support production of organizing trainings for field/legislative staff

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

· Interest in legal, organizing, legislative, journalism, public relations or communications career.

· Excellent research, communications and writing skills.

· Ability to perform basic office duties, familiarity with Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, and strong organizational skills a must.

· Familiarity with issues surrounding LGBT rights, HIV/AIDS and other civil liberties issues is desirable; commitment to those issues is essential.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications for Fall 2009 will be accepted on a rolling basis until September 11, 2009. Please send a cover letter, resume and brief writing sample via email to sritchie@aclu.org, reference “LGBT Internship Application” in the subject line of the email or send regular mail to:

LGBT Project Internship
Attn: Sam Ritchie
ACLU Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender & AIDS Project
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, New York 10004-2400

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.

The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU.”