GSafe will host its annual Celebration of Leadership to recognize and award four high school seniors for their exemplary leadership May 17.
GSafe, a nonprofit that serves LGBTQ+ high school and middle school youth across Wisconsin, has put on the annual celebration for 29 years. The Celebration of Leadership offers four scholarships to Wisconsin high school seniors and will honor four individuals and organizations from across the state who have shown commitment to advocacy and support for LGBTQ youth.
“It’s a space for love, joy and celebration,” said Tyrone Creech Jr., executive director of GSafe. “It’s also really powerful for the students. To be on stage and give a speech about your activism and who you are in front of this room — a room that’s 400 to 500 [people] — is powerful for them.”
Students awarded will receive $2,500 to use however they want. While they can use it for school, it can also go towards everyday necessities needed while attending college, Creech said.
Creech urges that the celebration isn’t just for youth. It’s a celebration to honor the larger community, and all who make it up, to take a moment to “forget all the negative stuff that’s happening.”
Creech points to a litany of reasons to find celebration and joy. He notes frequent attacks on the LGBTQ community and the treatment youth face consistently. Specifically, Creech highlighted the education space and school boards “trying to control where our students can get learning.”
“We want to put them in the spotlight because what everyone’s doing is important, especially in these times,” Creech said. “In a way, it feels like a rebellious act to have the banquet. We do it because we can, we want to and our community deserves it.”
Celebration of Leadership will be held on Saturday, May 17. 5=8:30 p.m. at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, 1 John Nolen Dr. Tickets are currently on sale.
