While working on my bachelor's degree in Social Work at Washburn University, I was invited to assist with a research project on discrimination in Topeka. I had already been heavily involved in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in Topeka through my work at the Topeka AIDS Project, particularly through leading the Support To Express Yourself (STEY) youth group. Also through much of my time at Washburn I was the president of the university's Gay Straight Alliance, Project Equal.

My primary responsibilities in this project included taking notes at many of the town hall meetings and helping to compile data, as well as promoting the town halls in the LGBT community. This study, commissioned by Concerned Citizens for Topeka, was presented to the Topeka City Council in support of expanding the nondiscrimination ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes.

DATE:
2002

WHERE:
Washburn University
Topeka AIDS Project

SKILLS:

• Community Organizing
• Research & Professional Writing
• Active Listening & Interpersonal Communication