WASHINGTON – The Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute named Mateo de la Torre to the summer class of Victory Congressional Interns. This competitive program places LGBTQ college students in a semester long internship with an LGBTQ or LGBTQ friendly member of Congress in their Washington, D.C. office. De la Torre was one of eight individuals selected, from a pool of over 100 applicants. During the internship de la Torre will be working in California Rep. Alan Lowenthal’s office as part of the 2015 class of Victory Congressional Interns.
“Victory congratulates this year’s class of exceptional young LGBTQ leaders,” said Aisha Moodie-Mills, president and CEO of the Victory Fund and Institute. “The Victory Congressional Internship is a crucial part of the Victory Institute’s mission – to build and support a network of LGBTQ leaders. I look forward to the role that these eight young people will play in expanding LGBTQ representation.”
De la Torre is a senior at California State University, Chico where he is studying Sociology, Multicultural and Gender Studies with an Option in Women’s Studies. On campus, de la Torre serves as the Executive Vice President of the Associated Students and is the former Vice President of Facilities and Services. He has interned at the AS Gender and Sexuality Equity Center, where he was instrumental in the creation of a new transgender program, and was part of the National Undergraduate Fellowship Program.
Each semester, the Victory Congressional Internship develops the next generation of out public leaders by bringing outstanding LGBTQ college students to the nation’s capital to participate in an intensive program which includes firsthand experience working for a member of U.S. Congress, educational and leadership skills trainings, and a mentorship program. In November, the students will attend the Victory Institute’s annual international conference in Las Vegas.