Courage ComesIn Many Forms (NAPSA)—Recognizing that there are many expressions of heroism in everydaylife, the Colin Higgins Foundation recently selected five individuals to receive the foundation’s Courage Award, an award honoring those who have shown remarkable courage Pe in the face of adverUF sity and intolerance . based on sexualori- ‘entation and/or gen- oA tary eyted der identity. As reflected in their stories, each of the winners are ordinary people demonstrating extraordinary acts of courage; fighting ignorance, educating through personal tragedy and enduringpolitical struggles. LaJoya Johnson is a young, energetic voice of both the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) community and studentsof color at Michigan State University. Raised by a Baptist pastor, she was disowned by her parents when she cameout. As an advocate for equality, she organized the first candlelight vigil ever on MSU’s campus and other schools across the country honoring the life of Sakia Gunn, an African-American lesbian who was a victim of a hate crime in NewJersey. Steven Alicea is a 17-year-old gay teen from Miami, Fla. who had been displaced in 17 different foster homes before being adopted by a lesbian couple. As an activist and educator of LGBTQQ issues, he serves on the board of Pridelines Youth Services, is a youth representative of the Florida State Commissions and founder of Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in his high school. Through his work he educates his peers, advocates for gay youth in the foster care system and speaksoutfor the silenced. Sylvia Guerrero is the motherof the late Gwen Araujo, a transgendered 17-year-old youth murdered just houses away from her home in Newark,Calif. Awaiting a newtrial in May, she continues to live each day honoring Gwen’slife and spirit. Hoping that others can learn through her tragedy, she shares her daughter’s story to educate communities about transgenderissues. Louay Ghonaym is a gay Lebanese student from Salt Lake City, Utah. After coming out to his parents, who still reside in Lebanon, they disowned him.Illegal to be gay in Lebanon, Louay fled to the U.S. to seek political asylum andis still awaiting a decision. Louay is an active member of LGBTQQ student organizations and worksto educate his peers in a predominantly Mormon community abouthis beliefs and background. Stephen Funkis thefirst conscientious objector to the war in Iraq and a gay youth. Faced with real issues oflife and death, he chose to stand up and speak out about his decision not to serve. He participated in and spoke at manyantiwar protests. From San Francisco, Calif., he continues to advocate for peace and LGBTQQ issues. Honorees receive a $5,000 grant and scholarship to attend the 17th Annual Creating Change Conference. Colin Higgins, screenwriter, director and producer of films such as Harold and Maude and Nine to Five, established the foundation in 1986 to further his humanitarian goals. To learn more, visit www.colinhiggins.org.
