Alan Blakely (Colchester)
2003 Scholarship Recipient
Colchester High School, Colchester

As one of the few openly queer people at his school, Alan has done much to increase awareness and create positive change during his four years at Colchester High School. Alan not only started the Gay/Straight Alliance but also organized the Annual Day of Silence and pushed to include sexuality and gender identity in the school's Diversity Day events. Alan has also served as strong mentor and supporter for other classmates who are in the process of coming out.

Alan is also very involved in the community as a volunteer for Outright Vermont's Speaker's Bureau and has spoken at local schools, colleges and was part of a panel presentation on sexuality to 7th graders at the Unitarian Universalist Church. Alan was also the only queer person on a panel at a national conference on male sexuality.

Alan told us, "I don't back down when faced with something I see as wrong. I don't take harassment lightly. I've filed complaints against people who repeatedly harassed me, or my friends. He also spoke about his involvement with Outright Vermont's Speaker's Bureau, "I find it valuable to young people who may be trying to understand their own sexuality - that you don't have to feel alone, you don't have to hurt inside. You can be a strong queer person."

Alan will be attending the New England Institute of Art and Communications.