Know an HRC Intern: Cy Latham
Name: Cy Latham
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA (map)
School: George Mason University
Major: Finance
HRC Department: Workplace Project
Why intern at HRC?
HRC is such an amazing organization, and being a part of it is just such an inspiration. Also, I believe I owe it to HRC and people who have been ‘out’ prior to my existence – if it wasn’t for them, I couldn’t be out and proud like I am today. Interning here is basically me showing my appreciation.
What do you like most about working at HRC?
Absolutely the people. The people I get to work with – the other interns, supervisors and staff – are amazing and the atmosphere is absolutely wonderful.
What has been a favorite project you've worked on?
My favorite project at HRC would definitely be working on the Corporate Equality Index. The CEI is a publication from HRC that rates companies from 0 to 100 based on how they treat their LGBT employees.
What issue is most pressing for the queer community on your campus?
Unfortunately, the gay community on my campus isn’t that big. George Mason is a major commuter college and I have lived off campus since going there, so I really don’t know if there is a major issue going on at George Mason. The good thing that I must say is that it is one of the most diverse schools that you can possibly imagine going to, so I think that everything is pretty acceptable.
What do you do when you’re not out being an activist?
When I’m not out being an activist, it’s basically all work and school. Other than that, I really like to run through Rock Creek Park or just on the streets of DC and of course I enjoy hanging out with friends and making new ones.
What was the last song you downloaded?
I have to say two because I can’t remember which one I last downloaded. One was “Your Love” by Nicki Minaj and the other was “Non Photo-Blue” by Pinback.
What upcoming events are you most excited about?
I’m really looking forward to getting back into school. I’m so ready to graduate – I have one year left and I just want to get it over and get a real job.
Who would you like to have dinner with?
Instead of having one person for my dinner, I think I’d like to have a dinner party. It would consist of Bethenny Frankel (from the Real Housewives of New York City), Suze Orman (I’m a finance major and she’s a finance enthusiast and amazing at what she does, so I definitely look up to her) and Kelly Cutrone (she’s the owner of People’s Revolution, and I’d definitely like to just pick her brain).
What advice would you give to LGBT students?
I would hope that everyone who is part of the LGBT community would want equality, would want equal opportunity, would want to obliterate hate – but, I feel like that is ridiculous and very condescending when we don’t even have equality and we have hate within our own community. I think it’s very important to just stick with each other, work with each other, accept each others’ differences, and with that, we can strike a mighty wide blow. It’s up to the younger generation to do that.