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Press Release, February 14, 2005
For Immediate Release — February 14, 2005
Point Foundation Offers Academic Honrarium to Maya Keyes, Daughter of Anti-Gay Politician Alan Keyes, Following Public "Coming Out" at Political Rally
(Chicago, February 14, 2005) Maya Marcel-Keyes, the daughter of Alan Keyes, a conservative political commentator who recently lost his bid for an Illinois Senate seat, came out publicly for the first time at a rally in Annapolis, MD today. Disowned by her family because of her sexual orientation, Maya is receiving support from The Point Foundation. Keyes has been accepted to Brown University in Providence R.I., and the Point Foundation is committed to helping the 19-year old with an honorarium scholarship and other emotional and financial support.
“This is a sadly common and a very real example of why The Point Foundation scholarships are necessary. It is at times like these that we feel compelled to go outside the bounds of our standard scholarship process and provide financial and emotional support to students in severe crisis situations," stated Vance Lancaster, Executive Director of the Foundation.
“The Point Foundation is honored to be in the position to bring this support to Maya,” Lancaster continued. “Her circumstances may be more high profile than so many others but we are committed to helping all students who have become marginalized due to their sexual orientations,” concluded Lancaster.
Keyes expressed her deepest gratitude for the recent opportunities offered to her by the Foundation. "I thank the Point Foundation for their support at this critical time in my life. I know my situation is not a unique one, and my hope is that queer young people in similar situations can hear my story and know that there are people and organizations that will support them in times of need."
Keyes spoke at a rally organized by Equality Maryland, Maryland's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization, which occurred in front of the Maryland State House to coincide with the organization's annual lobby day on February 14. Other speakers included Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard and Executive Director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, as well as several state and local community officials.
About The Point Foundation
The Point Foundation is the first and only nationwide LGBT scholarship organization that focuses exclusively on granting assistance to undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students of distinction. Point Scholars are chosen for their demonstrated leadership, scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities, involvement in the LGBT community and financial or emotional need. For more information, visit www.ThePointFoundation.org.
Applications for the 2005 scholarship selection process will be accepted until March 1, and can be accessed via The Point Foundation's website. In the first month of the application process, the Point Foundation has received almost 2000 applications for the 40 scholarships they are able to award, a clear demonstration of the scope of the problem and the tremendous need for more resources to address these issues.
Links to articles about Maya Marcel Keyes:
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