COLAGE Scholarship Program for students with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer (LGBTQ) parent(s)

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES Lee Dubin Memorial Scholarship Internship Program

Sponsored by COLAGE with generous support from the Horizons Foundation Joseph Towner Fund

Applications must be postmarked by Friday, May, 1 2009.

Background

COLAGE will award four scholarships to children of LGBTQ parents through a fund honoring the memory of community member and gay father Lee Dubin. Each scholarship will provide $1,000 to post-secondary students who have one or more LGBTQ parent(s)/guardian(s) and have demonstrated ability and commitment to effecting change in the LGBTQ community and the community at large.

APPLY NOW 2009 Scholarship Application (PDF)

Lee Dubin Memorial Fund

Some of the most powerful members of the LGBTQ community are the children of LGBTQ parents who have grown up being nurtured and supported by this community and are now part of a whole generation of people who have the power to create dramatic change in the world. The fund was named for the father of COLAGE founder Ali Nickel-Dubin and through college scholarships, aims to honor our collective power and celebrate the unique experiences and achievements of our families. Students who are actively working to combat the intersections of racism, homophobia, and/or transphobia/ gender-based discrimination, and increase positive awareness of LGBTQ families are strongly encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/ or queer parent(s)/guardian(s).
• Be enrolled in an accredited postsecondary institution. No graduate level or higher applicants please.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Guidelines for consideration

• Four grants of $1,000 each will be awarded.
• Awards will be granted by the COLAGE Scholarship Committee, which is made up of volunteers who are LGBTQ parents and adult children of LGBTQ parents.
• Applicants of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. COLAGE does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, physical dis/ability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, immigration/refugee status, age, gender, or type of LGBTQ family.
• Board or staff members of COLAGE, and their immediate family members, are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants must be willing to be named publicly in association with COLAGE, Horizons Foundation, and the Scholarship Program.
• Applicants with demonstrated economic need are encouraged to apply.

Application Directions (application form begins on page 2)

• Return completed application and essay (paperclip all pages of your application- do not staple)
• Provide proof of enrollment at the school where you will be attending. (If you are an entering freshman or other student who is not yet able to provide proof of enrollment, please attach a letter stating your circumstances with a Letter of Acceptance or a copy of your Intent to Enroll form. You may be asked to provide proof of enrollment if you are selected as a scholarship winner before you can receive your award.)
• Include grade verification (transcript or report cards)
• Return completed financial need worksheet
• Attach statement of financial need (FAF or letter of need if applicable)
• Include a recent photograph that COLAGE can use in their materials if you are selected as a scholarship winner
• Send all materials no later than Friday, May 1, 2009 (postmarked). Late or incomplete applications will NOT be accepted.

Questions? Contact COLAGE at 415-861-KIDS (5437) or scholarship@colage.org.

Mail to:
COLAGE Scholarship Committee
1550 Bryant Street, Suite 830
San Francisco, CA 94103

2008 Scholarship Awardees

Courtney Faria grew up on Cape Cod with lesbian moms and recently began her first year at Smith College. After many years as a youth in the COLAGE program at Family Week Provincetown, this summer Courtney was a facilitator for Camp COLAGE. She is a skilled volleyball player and as a high school junior wrote an article for the Human Rights Campaign about the experience of confronting her teammates about using LGBT slurs. Courtney has also lobbied her elected officials, attended marriage equality rallies, spoken on COLAGE Youth Panels, and collected signatures for causes she believes in.

Brianna Buhr is a junior at Edgewood College in Madison, WI where she studies music, theater and ethnic studies. Growing up with lesbian mothers fueled her commitment to addressing homophobia and working for social justice. She was an active leader in the Gay Straight Alliance clubs in both her middle and high schools and presented at regional GSA leadership conferences in Wisconsin. She also participated in Proud Theater- a youth run theater group and has been a canvasser for Fair Wisconsin.

Abigale Sauerbrey is a student of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Minnesota in Duluth. She is a volunteer with Rainbow Families of MN and a frequent public speaker about her experiences having two lesbian moms and two gay dads. She shares, "I am blessed to have four amazing parents who love me and have taught me so much about life."

Caroline Cox Orrell is a new freshman at the University of Chicago who has a strong background in activism and social justice organizing. In addition to being a leader at her school's GSA she as on the board of directors of GLSEN Boston and active with COLAGE Boston. As a member of the COLAGE Speak OUT program, Caroline has done countless interviews and wrote an article for Time Magazine about her experience of having lesbian mothers. Recent accomplishments include earning a Point Foundation award and acting as a member of the COLAGE Crew staff during Provincetown Family Week this summer.

2008 Honorable Mentions

Daniel Pologe grew up in Milwaukee, WI with two moms. He has been a volunteer with Fair Wisconsin, the Brothers of Kwanzaa and Peace Camp. He is an outspoken advocate for families like his and hopes to continue his activism as a student at Clark University in MA.

Nekia Franklin is a pre-med student at the University of Oklahoma. Her mother, who was a lesbian, passed away from a liver disease when Nekia was younger. She called the scholarship from COLAGE, "the most meaningful of all my scholarships because it speaks about my uniqueness of which I am proud."

Chevelle Youngblood is a native Hawaiian who grew up with her lesbian mothers. She hopes to study graphic design in college as part of her efforts to educate the public about the experience of indigenous Hawaiian people.

Congratulations to all of our deserving recipients and many thanks to our volunteer selection committee!