ACLU Supporter,
2024 ACLU
ADVOCACY INSTITUTE
Priority Deadline: April 22
There I was in the heart of D.C. Holding up a pink and blue “Trans People Belong” poster, marching alongside 150 fellow high school students last summer. It was a moment I’ll never forget.
As an intern and a participant in the ACLU’s National Advocacy Institute (NAI), I had spent the past week learning about major ACLU issues alongside other young activists. It was there that I had learned how to organize with and for my trans siblings – and what brought me to this powerful day in the first place.
My name is Kiran, and I’m reaching out to you today to talk about my experience attending the NAI – because the deadline to apply for this year’s program is almost here!
CLU Supporter, the NAI is an annual program that engages high school students like me (and college students, too!) in grassroots organizing, professional advocacy, and legal activism.
To prepare for the rally last summer, we learned about the principles of organizing and the escalation of anti-trans bills at large. Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice with the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project, taught us how this legislation harms young people – whether by not allowing trans kids to use the bathroom and receive gender-affirming care or by banning drag queens from reading to children.
After seven days of learning, I was chanting in front of Capitol Hill. I cannot tell you what the whole experience meant to me.
ACLU Supporter, I mean it, if you’re a young person – or you know a young person – who wants to turn their energy and passion into real action, then I encourage you to apply to this summer’s session of the ACLU National Advocacy Institute before the April 22 priority deadline.
I promise you won’t regret it.
Thank you,
Kiran Yeh Pronouns: She, her, hers Former ACLU National Advocacy Intern and Institute Alumna 2023
P.S. The ACLU’s National Advocacy Institute has programs this summer for both high school and college-aged students – and financial aid is available to help cover the full cost including program fees. So remember to apply, or remind the passionate young person in your life to apply, before April 22.
American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004, USA