The Akron, Ohio chapter of Parents,
Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) has given $30,000
to endow a scholarship for students enrolled in Kent State
University's LGBT Studies minor.
The school's program was the first of
its kind in Ohio when the small-town college created it in 2001. In
March, university officials opened the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Student Center as part of a
universitywide diversity initiative.
“We are impressed with Kent State's
outreach to the LGBT community, particularly the LGBTQ Student
Center,” PFLAG President-elect Rabbi David Horowitz said in a
statement. “Kent State is friendly and embracing of the LGBT
community.”
“We hope that as more students
increase their knowledge of the LGBT community, it will broaden that
information throughout the general public,” he added. “The more
people are educated, the more people will teach, the more people will
understand LGBT issues and equality in America.”
“By making this gift to Kent State,
we're encouraging others to contribute,” Ed Kancler, president of
PFLAG's Akron chapter, said. “We believe that with our contacts we
can generate money for the fund, and we hope Kent State alumni and
community members will help, too.”