GLSEN Announces New College Scholarship Program

New York, NY – The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, or GLSEN, is pleased to announce the launch of a new college scholarship program, The GLSEN Scholarship Program, which is the only national program that supports both current high school students and those who are college-bound through financial assistance for both leadership training and higher education.

Scholarships will go toward providing college funds for high school graduates who have been active leaders in student-led LGBT activities, while other grants will underwrite participation by current high school students in GLSEN Leadership Team activities. Scholarships will be granted to graduating high school seniors that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the fight to ensure safe schools and have contributed to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community at large.

The GLSEN Scholarship Program has been created thanks to a generous $500,000 gift from GLSEN major donors Elliot Leonard and Roger Litz. The first scholarships of the program will be awarded in the summer of 2004 and will provide its recipients with financial grants of a fixed amount made over a four-year period. Award amounts will be determined by a scholarship committee and based on student leadership and academic achievement.

“In a society where LGBT activism is still more likely to earn scorn than applause, the GLSEN Scholarship Program provides a powerful affirmation of these young leaders,” said Elliot Leonard and Roger Litz in a joint statement. “This program will ensure these students will continue to develop their leadership skills after high school, throughout their post-secondary educational experience and beyond. We are thrilled to be working in partnership with GLSEN on this magnificent new program and aiding in the fight against anti-LGBT bias in our nation’s schools.”

“These scholarships are a way to reward and invest in those students committed to safe schools for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression” said GLSEN Executive Director Kevin Jennings. “The program will enable these young individuals to continue to develop their leadership skills they have acquired in high school, hone them during post-secondary education and increase their capacity to contribute to both the safe schools movement and LGBT community.”

The deadline for application submission ended as of May 15, 2004. Continue to visit this site to learn about application details for the 2005-2006 academic year.

Donors interested in contributing to the Scholarship Program should contact GLSEN’s development department at 212-727-0135, ext. 112.

About GLSEN
GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. For more information on GLSEN’s educational resources, public policy agenda, student organizing programs or development initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.