Pictured At the GLSEN awards. #1 Teddy Marrufo, #2 Zaida Sanabia and #3 Eleanor Fort. #4 Justine Cruise-Roberson. #5 Brandon Parrott-Sheffer. #6 Rachael Flood and #6 principal Dr. Donald Fraynd of Jones College Prep. #7 Toni Armstrong Jr. (LEFT, at mic) and members of the Stevenson HS GSA. Photos John Pennycuff
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network of Chicago held their annual Safe School and Youth Scholarship Awards ceremony May 18 at Jones College Prep.
Openly gay principal Dr. Donald Fraynd of Jones College Prep received the Safe School Award.
The Stevenson High School GSA received the Barbara Gittings Legacy award. This was the second year the Gittings Scholarship teamed up with GLSEN to present a privately funded $1000 cash scholarship which goes to a young activist who's advanced LGBT equality and visibility in the local high schools. The award is in honor of Barbara Gittings, one of the pioneers whose many groundbreaking accomplishments include picketing for LGBT rights in the nation's capital years before Stonewall; editing the groundbreaking lesbian magazine The Ladder; being one of the first lesbian activists to 'go public' on TV and radio using her real name; and spearheading the movement to get homosexuality removed from the official list of mental illnesses.
The Bonnie Larson PFLAG Awards went to Eleanor Fort, Rachael Flood and the Kelly High School Diversity Club.
The Toni Armstrong Jr. Pathfinder Award went to Peggy Finnegan, manager of Family Life and AIDS Education at the Chicago Public Schools.
The Bayard Rustin Legacy Scholarship went to Justine Cruise-Roberson. The Erika & Mala scholarship went to Teddy Marrufo.
The Amigas Latinas Aixa Diaz Latina Youth Scholarship was presented to Zaida Sanabia.
Brandon Parrott-Sheffer received the Al Wardell Scholarship.
Synergy Youth Dance
A drug and drama free party for LGBTQ youth and friends takes place monthly from 8 p.m.11:30 p.m. at Ann Sather Restaurant, 929 W. Belmont (just steps from the Belmont L Stop). Before you get to the party request your favorite song by emailing DJ Casper at djcasper069@yahoo.com . There's a $5 donation to help support the dance. E-mail SYNERGY@howardbrown.org, (773) 388-1600 x 3367.
Trans Youth Support
TYRA drop in center is a safe and confidential place for young trans people between the ages of 14 and 20 to come and meet other youth who also identify as transgender or are questioning their gender identity.
Drop in is every Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. at Holy Covenant UMC, 925 W. Diversey, Chicago. Call (312) 217-1120.