Spotlight of the Month: Elyse (WA)
Posted 8/4/2026 · 0 Comments
Our Spotlight series celebrates the NEAT supporters whose dedication powers our everyday work for LGBTQ+ justice.
Meet Elyse
- Name: Elyse
- Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
- Age: 20
- Location: Seattle, WA
Life Beyond NEAT Volunteering
Elyse is heading into her junior year at Swarthmore College, located just outside Philadelphia, PA. As an indigenous person, she weaves her Aleutian tribal heritage into everything she does, from her studies to her activism. During the academic year she works as an interlibrary loan assistant at the Swarthmore College Library, a role that fulfills a lifelong dream of becoming a librarian alongside her goal of becoming a professor. Away from school and work, she enjoys reading and watching films in both English and Japanese, a language she has studied for roughly four years. Music is another passion, and she has played piano for 14 years.
Her Connection to LGBTQ+ Justice Work
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Elyse began fighting for equality in high school through the Queer Student Alliance (QSA), where she helped bring gender neutral bathrooms to her school. In her senior year she connected with the Greater Seattle Business Alliance (GSBA), which has continued to support her throughout her undergraduate studies. That relationship led her to the Power Up internship and to NEAT, and she is deeply grateful for the network of LGBTQ+ people who have introduced her to new faces and new places to volunteer and work for equality.
Her Volunteer Role and What Drew Her In
Elyse serves as a summer intern with NEAT through the Power Up program run by Building Movement Project. In her internship application she asked to be placed with an organization focused on LGBTQ+ rights advocacy, and she was thrilled to be matched with NEAT. A longtime supporter and advocate of the Equality Act, she finds all of her NEAT work enjoyable and fulfilling. Her internship has also let her try projects she had no prior experience with, such as phone and text banks, which she has found amazing.
A Volunteer Memory That Stands Out
One standout moment came during her first phone bank. A very kind person answered, and they talked about that person's past activism for LGBTQ+ rights and their happiness that people are still fighting for equality. The voicemail they left for their senator was deeply moving and strengthened her resolve to keep going, reminding her that this work truly matters.
Her Advice for Anyone Considering Volunteering
If LGBTQ+ equality and equality in general matter to you, Elyse says you should absolutely volunteer with NEAT. The community is welcoming and there is always something to do. The actions you take with NEAT create tangible change and inspire everyone you meet to keep fighting for change. Because NEAT is a nationwide organization, you can join a local initiative that interests you, or, if nothing local appeals to you, take part in a nationwide campaign.
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