Meet the Interns: Isabel Teller
(Field Intern)

1. Tell us a little about yourself…

I am a Graduate Student at the University of West Florida studying Social Work. I have lived in Pensacola for going on four years now, while living here I have work some outstanding organizations and fellow Social Workers. Currently, I am working with some fellow graduate and undergraduate students on a project for the community here in Pensacola. When I am not busy studying, working with the community, working in general, or working with the Graduate Student Social Work Organization, I can be found on the beach with my fiance or at the dog beach playing with our fur babies.

2. Why are you involved with LGBTQ activism?

When I moved here it was a huge culture shock from what I was used to. Growing up in Gainesville, the city is very open minded. Where I am now is very different. This area is an extremely underserved area. Being a part of the LGBTQ community myself, I believe that all people deserve equality and basic human rights as well as a place where they can feel safe. If you feel afraid in your own home then something needs to change.

3. Why did you want to intern at Equality Florida?

With everything that is going on with our country today, now more than ever we need to stand up and speak out. With Equality Florida I feel that I can do just that, be a voice for the people who might be to afraid to speak out and join the millions already in the fight.

4. What are your plans after you graduate?

After graduation I plan on continuing working with the LGBTQ community and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing as well. Somewhere down the line I hope to start two group homes one for LGBTQ youth in the foster system and the other for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing youth in the foster system. Hopefully these can be next to each other so that they can interact with each other and blossom into beautiful young adults.