WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization, today announced five winners of the Generation Equality Scholarship for LGBT and allied students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to queer equality. The 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.

"All too often, LGBT students face obstacles in the pursuit of education, whether from a lack of family support or negative experiences in the classroom or on campus. The Generation Equality Scholarships were created to provide exceptional students with the funding that they need and deserve," said Candace Gingrich, Associate Director of the HRC Foundation's Youth and Campus Outreach Program. "In these challenging economic times, it's important that current and prospective students have these resources available to them."

Over 1,000 applications were received from all 50 states. Due to the outstanding pool of applicants, the HRC Foundation decided to award five instead of the previously announced three $2,000 scholarships.

"All of the applicants were incredibly talented and worthy," said Gingrich. "The Scholarship Selection Committee had many discussions prior to making the final selections. The five scholarship winners embody the passion and commitment to queer activism that will hasten the day when equal protection and full equality become reality for LGBT Americans."

Recipients will have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. in October for HRC's National Dinner and will be asked to share their college experiences by guest writing for HRC's BackStory blog over the next two semesters. Short bios on the scholarship recipients follow:

For more information about the winners and the Generation Equality Scholarships, visit: www.hrc.org/GenEQScholarshipWinners.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.