Josh Neil, Young Activist Leader and PJALS intern
Josh Neil, from Whidbey Island, WA, is very active on EWU’s campus, where he helps the Pride Center Coordinator with various presentations about the LGBT community and how to become an ally.
Josh got very interested in learning more about PJALS after talking with one of the interns from last year. He then saw the organization’s work as something that he saw himself doing in the future. He states, “I’m looking forward to becoming more involved in the political process,” so he can become a more informed citizen.
He describes his most memorable moment at PJALS thus far, as doing phone banking for Referendum 74. “It was my first time doing phone banking. It’s an interesting, and sometimes, emotional experience.” During this time, Josh was able to have a good conversation with a woman voter and even though she was most likely going to vote against the referendum they still had a positive conversation about the LGBT community. He recalls that this gave him hope about how society’s views are changing toward equality. “It inspires me to continue fighting for equality, because even though there may not be change today, we must still push on for tomorrow,” he says.
Upon graduation, Josh plans to continue his education by pursuing a Masters in Social Work, which then would start a career in advocating for others and changing policy for the betterment of society.