Gay, lesbian scholarships available

The New Orleans Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays announced scholarships worth $1,000 will be awarded to 20 students for the 2006-07 academic year.
“We at PFLAG hope to higher education and broaden the self image of what they gays and lesbians hope to accomplish,” said Joe Melcher, chair of the scholarship committee and Xavier University faculty member.
Melcher said that for seven years the scholarship has help many young college students in the gay and lesbian community.
“Past Southern University students have also received the scholarship,” Melcher said.
To be eligible, a student must be self-identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. The student must also be at least 17 years as of April 15; be a resident of Louisiana, and plan to attend a post-secondary educational institution. Melcher said the validity of a student’s claim to be an eligible applicant will be relied upon by the honor system.
“We have to take their word for it and since recipients will have to be at the award ceremony to receive the scholarship check, they must be able to accept the award as a member of the gay community,” Melcher said. “But as to someone lying about not being gay or lesbian, there has only been one incident in our seven-year history”.
Applications can be downloaded by visiting the Web site at www.plag.org; requested by sending a self-addressed stamped letter to PFLAG-New Orleans, Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 15515, New Orleans, La 70175, received by going to The Lesbian and Gay Community Center at 2114 Decatur St. in New Orleans.
All applications must be turned in or post marked by Feb 10. If there are any questions regarding anything about the scholarship you can either go to the Web site mentioned above or send an email to [email protected].