Eight Scholarships Went To Low-Income LGBTQ+ Scholars
By Susan Payne
Throughout the nation, LGBTQ+ and trans rights are being challenged in school districts, so the timing of the Latino Equality Alliance (LEA) awarding more than $20,000 in scholarships to LGBTQ+ college-bound students is more than right.
On April 9, the eight scholarship recipients — who are typically from low-income families, the first in their generation to attend college, and members of the LGBTQ+ community — were awarded $1,000 to $5,000 each at the Mayne Event Center in Bellflower, according to the Los Angeles Blade.
“The mission at the Latino Equality Alliance is to build a community of support for youth leaders,” said Eddie Martinez, executive director of LEA. “With the help of our corporate partners, the LGBTQ+ Scholarship Fund has successfully awarded 40 scholarships over the years totaling more than $60,000 to date.”
This annual scholarship awards ceremony is sponsored by several companies including Keck Medicine of USC, Grindr for Equality, In Memory of Abel Benitez, Walmart, Uber, SoCalGas, Bank of America, City Labs Boyle Heights, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation: Somos LOUD, celebrates the academic achievements of Latinx students, reminding them of a bright future ahead filled with endless opportunities, the Blade reported.
“Thanks to the opportunities organizations such as LEA provide, I was able to stay on track and now I’m finally about to graduate,” said Kevin Palomo, one of this year’s scholarship recipients. “LEA’s support alleviated a lot of my financial burden and it even made me feel encouraged to apply to grad school.”
In attendance were Congressman Robert Garcia, representatives from the offices of LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn 4th District, and LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis 1st District.
