Today we had an adventurous, successful and interesting fieldwork. Fo this fieldwork we went to GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) which is located at 90 Broad Street. GLSEN is an organization that researches LGBTQ youth experiences at school and the parents experience of having an LGBTQ. This organization also teaches and helps make…
Interview with Sandra Chapman, LREI Director of Diversity and Community, 1/24/14
by 18zoec
On Thursday, January 23, 2014 we interviewed Sandra (Chap) Chapman who is the Director of Diversity and Community at LREI in Greenwich Village. To add on she is also the Co-chair of the New York Chapter. During this interview we asked questions mainly about the LGBTQ civil rights movement, history about the community and her…
Trevor, LGBTQ Short Film, 1/17/14
by 18zoec
This is now our 4th fieldwork for the LGBTQ group. In class we showed a short film called Trevor directed by Peggy Rajski. The summary of the film is about a boy named Trevor, who recently discovers that he is gay at the age 13. Throughout the short film it shows the struggles of him…
Visit with Charles King, Housing Works, 12/12/13
by 18zoec
Today the LGBTQ group had Charles King, the director and founder of Housing Works come and talk to us. During this visit we introduced Charles King to the class and had him tell us a few stories as well as facts about the topic LGBTQ. Some of the stories included why and how he created…
Interview with Mary Steyer and Natasha Jones, The Center, 12/3/13
by 18zoec
Today we had an interview with Mary Steyer, the director of communication and Natasha Jones, the program coordinator. As we were heading to the meeting room, we got to have a little tour and preview of their facilities. During the interview we learned statistics, facts and the works of the organization itself. At the center they accept 13-21 year old LGBT youth. This organization, as well as many others, provide programs that include group and individual counseling. For this specific organization they focus on listening to the LGBT youth and their ideas. In addition, every Saturdays they have a peer led group, where two LGBT peers lead a conversation starting with a topic of their choice. If an individual wants to become a peer leader, they need to go through a training period. In The Center community they have around 1,000 individuals with whom they provide counseling and programs all year and every week there are about 6,000 LGBT youth that stop by. In addition, they have 50-70 active volunteers. The goal for this fieldwork was to find out how they create a safe environment for LGBT youth and how they prepare an individual to feel strong to tell the public their orientation and be proud of who they are. This fieldwork went swiftly and successfully. Even though a group member couldn’t make it, we all gave each other tasks and we had enough time to fit all our separate and group questions in. One thing that impacted me during the fieldwork was how much the organization lets the youth be heard and lead conversations. The organization wants to hear what the youth need, want. Another thing that impacted me was by spreading the word, they have people that go to schools and talk about this topic. In the conversations it may include how others should act and questions that one should be aware of. An interesting statistic that I learned was 40% of homeless youth are LGBT. I learned that for the organizations inner workings, they have a 30-40 min interview with the client that gives the organization worker or volunteer an idea of who they are, what they want and what brought them to the organization. As an interviewer I learned that I have better talking skills in person than on phone. Work wise I am very good at taking notes while listening. I think I did a pretty good job with asking question and taking notes. I would probably like to work on thinking of questions on the spot. Overall, I thought this was very successful and informational interview that I will never forget.
Interview with Mr. Bill Torres, The Ali Forney Center Organization, 10/14/13:
by 18zoec
Today we had a interview on the phone with Bill Torres who is the director of The Ali Forney Center. For this particular fieldwork I was the note taker. During this interview we focused on who worked at the organization and how they created a safe environment for LGBTQ young adults. Before a young adult…