SpeakOUT Boston is a community of speakers and volunteers working to create a world free of bias and prejudice by telling the truths of LGBTQ+ lives.

Since 1972, we have been doing so by:

• Conducting educational programs about LGBTQ+ lives and issues;

• Training individuals and organizations to use public speaking as a means of creating positive cultural change;

• Sharing our lives and experiences publicly in order to support those struggling with sexuality and gender identity; and

• Educating within the communities we represent about issues that divide us.

SpeakOUT Boston engages audiences in honest dialogue, and in keeping with our motto "Ask Us Anything," we invite any questions that may challenge harmful stereotypes and misconceptions. Our speakers visit middle and high schools, colleges, workplaces, faith communities, public libraries, community organizations, and many other venues in the Greater Boston area and beyond.

Requirements for the Scholarship APPLICATION:

Applicants must be:

• an undergraduate LGBTQ+ student or a high school student entering college/university, community college, or training program by the fall of 2025,

• living in New England; and

• holding a minimum 2.0 GPA.

(The high school or college you are enrolled in at the time you apply must be in New England. But if you are a high school student and you will be attending a college outside New England in fall 2025, you may still apply.)

Students will be required to submit by midnight (EST) Monday, March 31, 2025:

• A type-written personal story (approximately 2 pages or 600-800 words) discussing how you have grown to understand, accept and/or take pride in your sexual orientation and/or gender identity. You MUST include your name, pronouns, home address, telephone number and email address at the top of your essay.

  • Your essay should speak to how this scholarship will help you as a student and as a queer person and leader. Strong essays often reflect on one or more of the following questions:

    • How has your sexual orientation and/or gender identity shaped your life so far?

    • How have your other personal identities (race, religion, class, country of origin, etc.) influenced your sexual orientation, gender identity, or the expression of either?

    • How have you been influenced by LGBTQ+ role models and how do you see yourself as an LGBTQ+ role model for others?

    • Share a time that you advocated for an LGBTQ+ person, or when someone advocated for you.

    • How will higher education help you meet your personal goals?

• A letter of recommendation from teacher/professor/mentor or other supportive adult.

• Grade transcripts showing a grade point of 2.0 or higher.

Submit the required documents or ask any questions by emailing to: scholarship@speakoutboston.org.

The student must submit proof of enrollment in a college/university/community college in fall of 2025 before the award will be made. Notification of award will be no later than Thursday, May 1, 2025.

SpeakOUT thanks the TJX Foundation for their generous donation of $2500 to our 2025 LGBTQ+ Student Scholarship Program, helping us empower students to achieve their higher education dreams. This will be the eighth year of the scholarship program and SpeakOUT is pleased this thoughtful gift will allow the organization to award five $500 scholarships this year.