HRC Blog

Earlier this week, the HRC Foundation announced the winners of the 2010 Generation Equality Scholarship for LGBT and allied students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to achieving queer equality. The $2000 scholarships are part of HRC Foundation’s Youth and Campus Outreach Program, which aims to provide tools, facilitate connections and empower young people to fight for LGBT equality on campus and beyond.

Justice has finally been served for Constance McMillen. Itawamba Agricultural High School in Mississippi had its 15 minutes of infamy this spring when it denied Constance the chance to bring her girlfriend to the school prom. The ACLU intervened and a judge ruled that the school could not forbid Constance from bringing the date of her choice. The school responded by cancelling prom completely and Constance faced harassment and alienation from her peers because of it. The ACLU sued the school district for violating Constance’s civil rights and yesterday the case was settled with the school district adopting a non-discrimination and anti-harassment policy covering sexual orientation and gender identity. The district also agreed to pay $35,000 in damages.

I’ve been to Arkansas a couple times for fun, but this visit made me want to stay. I am here in Arkansas now with a specific purpose: to build constituent support to urge Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor to vote to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

The following post comes from Jeshawn Wholley, the president of Afrekete, the GSA at Spelman College. On June 22, 2010 the White House hosted a historically progressive event. Just days away from the 41th anniversary of the renowned Stonewall protest, the White House organized an LGBT pride reception, hosted by President Obama. I was so proud I had the opportunity to be a part of this event.

Last summer I welcomed a surprise visitor to the HRC building – Anne Phibbs, the Director of GLBTA Programs Office at the University of Minnesota. She stopped by to tell me about a new initiative at the school that would be an integrated, year-long learning experience for undergrads with hands-on education for developing their skills as student leaders in order to affect social and political change. The program would incorporate specific courses in the fall and spring semesters along with a chance to study activism and organizing on a national level with a bus trip to Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC. I told Anne on the spot that we’d love to welcome the students when they took their road trip.