Brown University

“Why on earth do you have to volunteer at places like that?” My dad spoke abruptly during our drive home. I had just finished working at an LGBT-friendly bar, raising funds for an LGBT workplace diversity campaign. As I walked out smelling like tobacco and beer, his face stiffened. But I knew what angered him more was that I’d turned down a volunteering opportunity at the UN and chosen the Beijing LGBT Center, an NGO he deemed illegitimate. “Because...” I began. “I don’t want you to work there anymore.” Dreadful silence prolonged in the car. I was devastated that he didn’t approve of the work…