Equality Florida, Florida’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization, hires a diverse cohort of twelve interns from across the Sunshine State. With representation covering 10 cities and various ages, ethnicities, gender identities and backgrounds, the Spring 2021 Intern class truly echoes the diversity of our state’s LGBTQ communities.

"This year is critical to ensure that Florida is creating opportunities that are accessible to every member of our LGBTQ community,” said Equality Florida Field Director Wes Davis. “Equality Florida’s commitment to diversity and the development of future leaders of the LGBTQ movement in Florida is shown in our Internship Program by cultivating leadership from every walk of life. We are excited to bring on such a talented and dynamic team!”

This cohort will work on projects such as social media engagement, volunteer recruitment and mobilization, Federal, State, and Local lobbying programs, municipal elections program, and Safe Schools Equality Index. This critical work helps advance Equality Florida’s goals of creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for LGBTQ Floridians.

Equality Florida’s Internship Program aims to develop skills and uplift LGBTQ leadership across the state of Florida. This year’s talented and dynamic cohort will work together to support Equality Florida’s mission to secure full equality for the state’s LGBTQ community.

Communications

Logan Libretti

Logan Libretti (he/they) is a second year student at the University of Central Florida studying Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies. Logan has been volunteering and working in advocacy since 2017 with Stacey Abrams, and most recently with Anna Eskamani's re-election campaign as an intern and with Adam Christensen's congressional bid as the Social Media Coordinator. In the future, he hopes to pursue LGBTQ+ and reproductive justice through work with progressive candidates and organizations like Equality Florida.

Field & Advocacy

Camila Ustarez

Camila Ustarez (she/her) is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree at Florida International University majoring in International Relations. She has found her passion in advocating for social change and hopes to one day establish a positive change in her community where gender and sexual orientation is not a principle for harassment or discrimination.

Dominique Kent

Dominique Kent (she/her) is a senior English major with a Religious Studies minor at Florida International University. She lives in Miami, Florida, and hopes to find post-grad plans that work toward uplifting and bettering the community in which she lives. Her interests include the intersection of mental health, race, and womxnhood both within and outside of the LGBTQ community. 

Kira Diehl

Kira Diehl (she/her) is a second-year Political Science student at the University of Central Florida. She is active on campus as a member of the LEAD Scholars Academy. Kira is a Central Florida native and has been involved in local politics since high school. Most recently, she is a part of Representative Smith's Legislative team. Previously, she worked as a Field Organizer for Joe Biden's Campaign in the 2020 General election and has interned for both Congresswoman Murphy and Representative Eskamani. Kira is so excited to be a part of Equality Florida's Field & Advocacy team this term!

Samantha Stockley

Samantha Stockley (she/her) a.k.a Sami is a bisexual, trans female originally from England, but now calls sunny Orlando her home. She is an Executive Board Member at SPEKTRUM Health and also volunteered at LGBTQ+ organizations, such as Trans LifeLine providing support and assistance to her community whenever she can. She continues being an active advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, representing these communities in the workplace and public spheres through educational presentations and representation. She’s honored to be part of this organization and is excited to continue playing her part in the fight for equality!

Skylar Gold

Skylar Gold (she/her) is a 3rd year political science major at Florida International University, with a passion for LGBT advocacy. She hopes to turn her degree and experience with Equality Florida into a career furthering the civil rights of the LGBT community, a community which she is a proud member of. Besides her educational and professional goals, she organizes a monthly book club focusing on works by women, LGBT, and BIPOC authors, currently reading "Magic for Liars" by Sarah Gailey!

Taylor Aronson

Taylor Aronson (she/her) is thrilled to be joining the Field and Advocacy team at Equality Florida after completing a fellowship with the Florida Democratic Party. She spends her time in both her hometown, St. Petersburg, FL, and her college town, San Marcos, TX, where she is currently studying Musical Theatre and Political Science.

Victor Alvarado

Victor Alvarado (he/him) is an aspiring lawyer/psychologist, immigrant from Venezuela, and first-year student/junior at Florida International University with dreams of attending Columbia Law. His wish is to utilize his psychology skills in a law specialization to help others and make a change in the world. His life goal is to be able to aid in the process of change and equality while amplifying unheard voices.
 

Public Policy

Mara Cooper

Mara Cooper (she/they) is a Public Administration Masters Student with a background in Field Organizing, International Affairs, and Fine Arts. She has worked for a winning Presidential Campaign, completed a 300 square foot wall mural, and hopes to accomplish even more in the future!
 

Skoervitch Emile

Skoervitch Emile (she/her) is a Master’s student at the University of South Florida studying Public Administration. Her public policy experience includes work with the ACLU of Florida, the School of Social Work and School of Public Affairs at the University of South Florida, as well as EQFL Lobby Days during her time as a Field Fellow.
 

Wyatt Deihl

Wyatt Deihl (he/him) is a current senior at Rollins College pursuing a degree in Health, Medicine, and Society with a minor in Global Health. His interests lie at the intersections of LGBTQ+ health outcomes, public policy, and law. Wyatt expects to begin his Master's of Public Health degree with a concentration in U.S. Health and Justice at Yale University this fall.
 

Safe & Healthy Schools

Isaac Salazar

Isaac Salazar (He/Him/Él) is a first-generation college student double majoring in Psychology and English at the University of Central Florida, as well as a proud Latinx Trans Male. Ever since moving to Orlando in 2017, he has been an active student leader at UCF working closely with the office of Social Justice and Advocacy to make the campus a more inclusive and equitable place for all students. In his free time, he enjoys reading, (re)watching TV shows, and playing with his cat Karma!