Campus Pride hosted fourth annual LGBT & Ally Summer Leadership Camp, July 20-25, 2010 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN
National LGBT & ally college nonprofit recognizes Keissling of National Center for Transgender Equality with national leadership award as well as Driscoll, Topping, Barth, Thomison, Burks, D’Allaird, Graving, Brown & Feldman with “Campys” for distinguished volunteer service

(Charlotte, NC) -- Campus Pride hosted its fourth annual Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp from July 20-25, 2010 on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. The camp is the only one of its kind geared toward mobilizing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally student leaders from colleges and universities across the United States.

Nearly sixty college student leaders attended the five day camp from over thirty-five colleges and universities. Featured camp keynotes included Campus Pride founder/executive director Shane Windmeyer as well as Mara Keissling from the National Center for Transgender Equality, Dr. John Corvino of Wayne State University and writer of 365gay.com, out gay athlete Brian Sims who is also on the board chair of EqualityPA, Dr. Marisa Richmond of Tennessee Equality Project, national bisexual advocate and author Robyn Ochs and D’Arcy Meyer of the National Gay & Lesbian Law Association.

Campus Pride also bestowed its National Voice & Action Leadership Award to Mara Keissling of the National Center for Transgender Equality. The award recognizes a national leader in the LGBT and ally movement who believes in the Campus Pride mission to build future leaders and create awareness, safety and visibility for LGBT students on campus.

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In addition, Campus Pride honored nine individuals with the distinguished volunteer service award, affectionately referred to as a “Campy.” This award recognizes special individuals and organizations that have demonstrated three or more years of outstanding service and contributions to Campus Pride. This summer national singer/songwriter Randi Driscoll along with eight longstanding Campus Pride volunteers were recognized for their ongoing support and devotion of camp: David Topping, Katie Barth, Brad Thomison, Nikita Burks, Courtney D'Allaird, Laura Graving, Michael Brown and Tom Feldman. The Campy recognizes the unique roles each individual has played as undergraduate college students, professional staff volunteers and as artists/entertainers. These individuals have demonstrated volunteer service beyond expectations building Campus Pride programs and services over the last three to four years.

“Campus Pride has witnessed tremendous success with our programs and services, growing very quickly over the years with limited monies. ‘Campys’ go to those individuals and organizations who believe in us and made our success a reality,” said Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride. “We are fortunate, especially in these hard economic times, to have these volunteers commit their time and energy.”

National sponsors and educational partners for camp included Cargill, Food Lion, National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, Human Rights Campaign, Campuspeak, HazingPrevention.org, OUTmedia, Matthew Shepard Foundation, Tyvola Design, Gamma Mu Foundation, BW Bastian Foundation, Alliance for Full Acceptance, Charlotte Gay & Lesbian Fund, Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, Campus Progress, National Youth Advocacy Coalition, National Lesbian and Gay Law Association, Public Identity, Point Foundation, ACPA – College Educators International, The Trevor Project, CAMPUSPEAK, RSVP Vacations and LGBTQI Office of Vanderbilt University.

Learn more online at www.CampusPride.org or read camp highlights at the Campus Pride Blog, www.CampusPrideBlog.org. You can also follow Campus Pride on Facebook and Twitter. To learn more about the 2011 Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp, please email info@campuspride.org or visit www.CampusPride.org/camp.asp.