PFLAG OMAHA - Community News Archive: January 2006

The Iowa Governor’s Conference on Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender Youth will be held Feb. 21 at Olmsted Center at Drake University in Des Moines.

Speakers are Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard and executive director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation; Kevin Jennings, executive director, GLSEN, and James Howe, author of The Misfits.

Governor Vilsack and Lt. Governor Pederson have joined the GLBT Youth in Iowa Schools Task Force to present the conference, which is the first of its kind in Iowa. It will explore multiple aspects affecting the safety and well-being of LGBT students in schools and communities throughout Iowa.

The conference is $35 (before Feb. 1) for adults and $25 for students. See the conference brochure and registration form at www.iowaequality.org for more information. If you have questions, please contact Brad Clark at brad.clark@iowasafeschools.org or 515-243-1221

Clark said the conference will be beneficial to teachers, counselors, administrators, social workers, parents, students, police resource officers, health care professionals and social service workers.

This year's Nebraska GLBT Summit will be from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, in the lodge at Mahoney State Park between Omaha and Lincoln. The sumnmit is entitled, Sharing Ideas--Building Bridges.

The group will gather for a continental breakfast and networking opportunities and then begin group discussions. The focus is mostly social, fun and friendship.

Lunch will be on site from 11:30 am until 1 pm. The buffet is $6.25 per person or you may order from the menu. At 1 p.m. there will be brief presentations about 2006 pride events, financial planning, PFLAG in Lincoln and Omaha, CFEP and the GLBT caucus.

Businesses and community groups will have tables. There will also be a community table to place business cards, brochures, and materials. Please bring these items to share. The day will end with an evening picnic meal (Burr Oak Picnic Shelter).

Make reservations now if you plan to stay overnight. Weekend stays require a two-night minimum. Call the park for these accommodations at 402-944-2523. You will need a park entry permit, or you may purchase a daily permit at the gate for $3 per vehicle.

There is a $10 registration fee. For more information call Tim (Lincoln) 402-483-6183, optima2400@alltel.net, Michael (Omaha) at CFEP 402-398-3027, migoromaha@hotmail.com or Phyllis 402-327-9998 pwebb@neb.rr.com

Sponsors include CFEP, Cornhusker PFLAG, Phyllis Webb, Tim Hopkins, Advanced Security, Michael Gordon and Nebraska Advocates for Justice and Equality.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2006

Contact:
Jean-Marie Navetta
PFLAG
jnavetta@pflag.org
(202) 467-8180 ext. 213

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Just one week after Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) announced the start of the third year of its national scholarship program, an anonymous donor has made a gift of $25,000 to fund an additional 13 scholarship awards of $1,000 each and support implementation of the program.

"The members of the National Scholarship Committee are grateful to the anonymous donor for this opportunity to support deserving high school graduates. These scholarships enable them to pursue careers in specific fields at an institution of higher learning," stated Nancy McDonald, chair of the Committee. "My committee and our partnering Higher Education Review Committee all look forward to another year of compelling applicants and tough choices."

PFLAG National Scholarships are available for high school gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) seniors, and students who are allies and supporters of the GLBT community and entering college in the fall of 2006. These 13 new scholarships are specifically for students who are interested in pursuing careers in science, engineering, business or finance. The closing date for all applications is February 14, 2006.

"This gift is a wonderful enhancement of a critically important program," said Jody Huckaby, PFLAG's executive director. "We encourage our members around the country to hand deliver applications to teachers, counselors and administrators in person. This program provides a great opportunity for our members to introduce themselves and PFLAG as a valuable community resource and partner in helping all young people to realize their full potential - regardless of sexual orientation."

Application materials can be downloaded from the PFLAG website. For more information contact schools@pflag.org or Judy Hoff, Scholarships Administrator, at (202)467-8180 ext. 219.

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Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is the nation's foremost family-based organization committed to the civil rights of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender persons. Founded in 1973 by mothers and fathers, PFLAG has 200,000 members and supporters in more than 500 chapters throughout the United States. To learn more, please visit www.pflag.org.