Gabriel Mulley (Norwich)
2002 Scholarship Recipient
Hanover High School

Gabe is the son of a lesbian mother and a strong ally for glbtq issues. After watching a screening of "It's Elementary" he and a friend were inspired "to revive a long dead GSA" at Hanover High School. Following their lead of putting posters on their lockers showing support for all glbtq people, "soon the signs spread until they were a pretty common sight as one walked down the corridors of our school. I imagine this was a great comfort to any closeted students and/or teachers. At the time I didn't think there were any more closeted people, but I was wrong." Gabe's beliefs were also able to be expressed publicly during the civil unions debate. Gabe told us:

"During the time the group was functioning together I was also helping my parents in a more political manner with the fight for marriage rights in Vermont. I was invited to testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. It seemed a little ridiculous that I had to stand up in front of these important people and tell them that my parents didn't screw up and that I love them very much. I did it anyway. I was really scared so I wrote a letter and then read it all to them, despite the vast amounts of sweat and the occasional stutter. I was astonished and very proud to hear that of all the testimony he had heard one of the senators on the committee (an opponent of civil unions) said mine had the most impact on him."

Gabe will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute this fall where he will study Computer/Electronical Engineering.