PFLAG Announces 2009 Scholarship Winners

Recipients Include LGBT Students and Allies Who Have Made Significant
Contributions to Equality in their Schools and Communities

WASHINGTON, May 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Parents, Families and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) announced today that it has awarded 16 scholarships.
More than $30,000 will go to students across the country who have made
significant contributions to equality in their schools and communities. This
marks the sixth year that PFLAG has awarded the scholarships, which are funded
by the Palmer B. Carson Trust and other private donors, including the Gay,
Lesbian and Allies at Dow (GLAD) Employee Network, the Esera Tuaolo
Scholarship fund, and the New York Gay Football League.

"Now, more than ever, PFLAG is extremely proud to honor these future community
leaders and to honor their academic achievement, commitment to lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) progress, and community service," said Jody M.
Huckaby, Executive Director of PFLAG. "LGBT students, and their allies, are
overcoming unimaginable obstacles to succeed and prosper in their education.
This year's awardees have not only fought those obstacles, but have become
role models for their communities and fellow students."

Among the recipients of PFLAG's National Scholarship Program awards are:

Thomas Gray - Jeanne Manford Memorial Scholarship
Thomas Gray began the diversity club (L.E.A.D - Lancers Embracing All
Diversity) at his school, and worked to include sexual orientation and gender
identity into his school district's nondiscrimination policy. He has also been
an active member of the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) and Student Council.
Thomas organized a successful fundraiser and raised more than $7,000 for
HIV/AIDS and cancer research. When the Westboro Baptist Church demonstrated at
his school, he organized a peaceful and positive counter demonstration. As an
activist and organizer he has worked to make his school and his community
safer for all. Thomas will graduate from Shawnee Mission East in Prairie
Village, Kansas.

Sean Hudson - PFLAG National Scholarship
Sean Hudson was a member of the Birmingham Alliance of Gay, Straight, and
Lesbian (Transgender and Questioning) Youth. He is a passionate activist,
advocate and role model for children in foster care, serving as the
parliamentarian for the Jefferson County Youth Advisory Council, and the
president of the State Youth Advisory Council. Sean plans to continue to reach
out to others and to help them while they, in fact, also help him. Sean will
graduate from Jess Lanier High-School in Bessemer, Alabama.

Kelsey DeForest - Palmer B. Carson Memorial Scholarship
Kelsey DeForest is an active member of her school's GSA, Student Council, and
theater program. She is also a reporter and editor of her school's newspaper.
She interned with The Metro Youth Outreach Program at the GLBT Community
Center of Cleveland, where she worked with at-risk and homeless youth. Kelsey
has used her skills and compassion to reach out and make a difference in the
lives of others. Kelsey will graduate from Shaker Heights High School in
Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Shelagh Hardrich - DOW Straight Ally Scholarship
Shelagh Hardrich worked with friends to re-invigorate the GSA at her school.
She is a member of her school's volleyball and girls' golf team, and active in
the French club. She volunteers with community groups such as the Open Door
Mission, the Abrahams Public Library, and is a tutor for elementary-age
students. As a proud straight ally, Shelagh believes in fairness, justice and
compassion for everyone. Shelagh will graduate from Northwest High-School in
Omaha, Nebraska.

Simone Getty - New York Gay Football League Scholarship
Simone Getty was the president of her school's GSA. She was also elected
student body President and Homecoming Queen. She played on the Girls' Varsity
Tennis Team and the Track and Field team, and was awarded Third in League in
Girls' Varsity Tennis Doubles. Through public visibility Simone has shown her
community and school why equality is so important. Simone will graduate from
Santa Clara High-School in Santa Clara, California.

Jacob DeVine - PFLAG National Scholarship
Jacob DeVine has served as a peer mentor for LGBT students in his small
community, and worked to ensure that any students facing harassment or
bullying had the support that they needed. He is active in his school's drama
program and concert choir. He also works with an anti-drug leadership program
called Target and helped to organize an anti-drunk driving campaign during the
week of Prom. In a small rural Midwest town he has demonstrated leadership and
courage changing hearts and minds one person at a time. Jake will graduate
from Little Falls Community High School in Little Falls, Minnesota.

Dena Wessel -PFLAG National Scholarship
Dena Wessel helped to organize a GSA in her middle school and was an active
member of the GSA at her high school. She participated in the GSAFE (Gay
Straight Alliance for Safe Schools) planning committee and is a member of
Proud Theater, where she serves as the Youth Artistic Director. Dena plays on
her school's Varsity Tennis Team, is a member of Top T.E.N, Teen Education
Network, and has worked with her church youth group on various community
service projects. A born activist with creative talent, Dena uses all
different means to educate. Dena will graduate from Madison West High School
in Madison, Wisconsin.

Jesse Quinn - PFLAG National Scholarship
Jesse Quinn started the GSA at his high-school, and it is now the largest
student group on campus. Jesse testified before the Oregon State Senate and
sat down with his state representative to lobby for stronger anti-bullying
laws. He was also a member of the Chess Team as an All-State Chess Champion,
works on the student council, and is a member of the recycling club. Sharing
his story served to strengthen his commitment to the community and the work
that needs to be done to ensure equality. Jesse will graduate from Pleasant
Hill High-School in Pleasant Hill, Oregon.

Jennifer Rokakis - PFLAG National Scholarship
Jennifer Rokakis is the President of her school's GSA where she started the
"Candlelight Vigil against Hate Crimes" in order to bring diverse student
groups together for a common purpose. She was awarded the Girl Scout Bronze
and Silver Award, is a member of the National Honor Society, and worked at her
school's radio station. As a straight ally, she has suffered the same bullying
and taunting that her gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender fellow students
face but she is committed to using her voice in the community for change.
Jennifer will graduate from Canton High School in Canton, Michigan.

Ryan Dykes - Carson B Palmer Nevada Scholarship
Ryan Dykes' struggle with coming out had a great deal to do with his family's
acceptance. It has reaffirmed his belief in himself and the community. Ryan is
the Varsity Swim Team Captain at his high-school. He has participated in a
number of community service projects, such as community food drives and the
American Heart Association Fashion show. He is also an active volunteer with
his local food bank, elementary school library, and senior citizen family
home. Ryan will graduate from Douglas High-School in Minden, Nevada.

Francis Jordan - Esera Tuaolo Schoalrship
Francis Jordan is a teen educator for the OWL (Our Whole Lives) health and
education program that teaches comprehensive sex education to teens. He is
also a member of the youth group at his church where he has completed various
community service projects, such as building homes in Juarez, Mexico. Francis
is the captain of his Varsity Cheerleading Squad. Although having suffered
greatly in middle school from bullying, Francis has turned things around and
wants to help others in the same situation. Francis will graduate from Santa
Teresa High-School in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

SOURCE Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

Adam Ratliff of PFLAG, +1-202-467-8180 x.212, aratliff@pflag.org