The following is a guest post by Samuel Brinton, Campus Pride's 2011 National Voice & Action Leadership Award recipient, on his experience at the launch of Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation on Feb. 29 at Harvard University. Samuel attended the event with another student leader and Campus Pride's executive director, Shane Windmeyer.

My Wednesday started like any other. I woke up smiling as I generally do but I did not know that my afternoon was about to be spent doing something much more exciting than nuclear engineering homework and instead I would be listening to the inspiring words of two powerful women: Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey.

While checking my Facebook -- as I do much too often throughout the day -- I learned that Shane was in town and had an extra ticket to the launch of the Born This Way Foundation. I had been dreaming of going but those tickets were scarce. Soon I was running out the door…I had to change. I couldn’t let Mother Monster see me without heels on!

After changing into a beautiful pair of black buttoned high heel boots, a shimmery scarf, and my signature black and white fedora, I was sashaying toward Harvard as the snow began to fall. Needless to say I was floating on air! As we were seated I realized just how amazing this event was going to be. Filled with high school students, Harvard professors, and Massachusetts activists this room was simply buzzing with energy.

Following some opening remarks, Shane and I were overjoyed to hear from the amazing Oprah Winfrey. She spoke on the need of every individual to feel respected and belong. A cute anecdote she offered was that in the more than 35 years of interviewing people from around the world, it always seemed that they would end the interview by leaning over and whispering to her “Was that okay? Did I do it right?” – the room laughed when Ms. Winfrey said “even Beyonce, in all her Beyonce-ness” wanted to belong and that was why she wanted to be there in support of the Born This Way Foundation.

As Oprah introduced Lady Gaga the room burst into cheers of support. Styling a very gothic inspired long black dress, heels as tall as my head, and a headdress modeling spider webs, Mother Monster took the stage and graciously sat down for a chat while stating, “I can’t believe we got Oprah!”. She began by explaining why we were all here. Lady Gaga was excited to see all the conversation which took place after the release of the song Born This Way and wanted to keep those conversations alive. The Born This Way Foundation will work with organizations like Campus Pride to promote Safety, Skills, and Opportunity as three pillars to empowering students to stand up against bullying. Throughout the event Gaga stated that “This is not an anti-bullying foundation. This is about empowering students.”

A panel would follow the interview with Oprah as Lady Gaga was asked on specifics which this foundation would be using to combat the hatred which bullies have spread. A question on how cyber bullying could be addressed was raised from the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebilius. Lady Gaga spoke of future work to create a social media safe space but emphasized it will be the role of each and every student to make their community a safe space and stand up for those who are bullied.

Allyssa Rodemeyer, the sister of Jamie Rodemeyer who took his own life after being bullied, wanted to know how students could get involved. Lady Gaga responded by reminding her that “If we could just get one Alyssa in each school” to sense if something is going wrong then the Foundation will have succeeded. While citing the disaster of Columbine and the warning signs that teachers missed, Lady Gaga reminded those present that students need the empowerment to make the difference in their own schools.

While sauntering back home as the snow continued to fall I was so happy to know that Lady Gaga and Oprah have used their position of fame to let this generation know that we were Born This Way! This Little Monster is going to help spread that message and I hope you’ll do the same.

Today, Campus Pride is highlighting our 2011 Voice & Action National Leadership Award winners. Congrats to both JeShawna and Samuel! (Click here to meet JeShawna.)

Samuel Brinton

Kansas State University
Class of 2011
Program of Study: Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering & Vocal Music Performance, Minor in Chinese
Intended Profession: International Nuclear Energy Policy and Law
Age: 23
Home: Manhattan, KS

“I can't believe they chose ME! I'm from KANSAS! They think I made a difference. I AM going to make a difference in this world. For a conservative university in the middle of Kansas, Kansas State University sure gave me the perfect chance to learn who I was - no matter who that was. A few years ago, I thought I was the only gay man on earth. With this Voice and Action Leadership Award, I will keep working to make sure no student ever feels that alone again.” ~ Samuel Brinton

Samuel Brinton is currently a senior at Kansas State University studying Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering & Vocal Music Performance expecting his Bachelor of Science & Bachelor of Arts in May 2011. Sam also minors in Chinese Language.

At, Kansas State, Samuel is not only a passionate change agent for the LGBTQ communities on campus he is also a proven scholar in the field of Nuclear Engineering – 7 publications so far & counting! Samuel grew up as a missionary child living in such exciting locations as the Amazon jungle. He continued his international experience studying at Shanghai University during the Fall 2009 semester and attending international conferences of nuclear engineering in Japan, Belgium, Switzerland and South Africa.

When Samuel is state-side he continues his passion for LGBT equality through his progressive fraternity Delta Lambda Phi and serving with the local Flint Hills Human Rights Project and PFLAG. His peers recognized his passion and leadership by supporting Samuel as the President of LGBT and Allies of Kansas State. In addition (even though we know gay men are banned from giving blood) Samuel was active in the Red Cross Club as the Public Relations Director and through his leadership he assisted the organization to set records in blood donations.

One interesting fact about Samuel – he toured Europe as one of the top five high school singers in the United States.

However, to understand how his two passions of Nuclear Weapon Non-Proliferation and LGBT Equality come together one must read his story. The Committee began to learn his story by reading his cover letter, of which an excerpt is below.

“As a senior in Nuclear Engineering and Music, my life has always been one of balance and combination. I have used my engineering talents of organization to grow an organization (LGBT and Allies) from birth to over 30 members in a very conservative and religious community. I have used my musical passion for creativity to organize the Alternative2 Spring Break for LGBT and allied students to be able to serve their community regardless of orientation.

“I grew up as the son of Southern Baptist missionaries and without knowing what the word “gay” was (we just called them abominations) I asked my father why I was feeling attracted to my best friend, Dale. I don’t remember the second punch but I do remember waking up in the emergency room for the third time asking the doctors not to send me back and telling them that I had not fallen down the stairs again. When “punching the gay out” didn’t work we moved to conversion therapy. Being told I had AIDS and was going to die if the government found me was only the beginning. I would be strapped down with blocks of ice or heating pads placed on my hands while pictures of men holding hands were shown. The conversion ended when I told my parents I was straight to stop the electrocution by needles in my fingers while gay sex acts where shown to me. When I would later come back out to them for a second time I was told never to walk back in that house if I wanted to walk out alive.

“I tell you the story of my conversion therapy not for dramatic effect but to explain why I do what I do. I cannot let another child go through that torture because their parents think this is the only way to have a normal child. I will keep working through my political means until someday, when a student turns on the television, they will see a man just like them speaking to the United States Senate with a bright pink scarf on.”

Samuel, we are impressed with your courage and determination to create a better world for LGBT Youth.

Learn more about Samuel: www.campuspride.org/voiceandactionsamuelbrinton.asp

Campus Pride announces their 2011 National Voice & Action awardees: JeShawna Wholley (Spellman College), Samuel Brinton (Kansas State University)

(Charlotte, N.C.) – In a time when suicide by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth has become so prominent and visible an issue in the media, it is critically important to highlight, recognize and encourage LGBT youth who are making a difference, creating positive change and making it better for others – that’s why Campus Pride, a national, nonprofit organization for student leaders and campus organizations working to create safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities, is proud to announce this year’s Voice & Action National Leadership Awards.

In partnership with Ernst & Young & OUTmedia, the Campus Pride Voice and Action National Leadership Award is an honorary recognition highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of young adult leaders at colleges and universities across the United States. The award is the only honor of its kind, focused on the work of undergraduate college students who are creating positive change for LGBT and ally issues within their campus communities, local communities and region of the country. The award is bestowed upon individuals who use their “voice” to speak up and take “action” to make a difference. The award also acknowledges the vital role nationally that young adult leaders play in the present and for the future of our movement for LGBT fairness and equality.

Campus Pride congratulates this year’s winners:

JeShawna Wholley, senior at Spelman College, majoring in Comparative Women's Studies, current President of Afrekete and the Project Coordinator at Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance.

Samuel Brinton, senior at Kansas State University, doubling majoring with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with Nuclear Engineering Option & B.A. in Vocal Music Performance, Founding Leader of the Global Zero Chapter at KSU and current President of LGBT and Allies group.

Wholley and Brinton will receive their award at an upcoming regional LGBT and ally college conference of their choice in either the Midwest, Northeast, Northwest or West Coast region. Along with free conference registration, the recipient receives a free OUTmedia artist/entertainer to bring to campus in 2011.

“JeShawna and Samuel represent a growing community of LGBT young adult leaders stepping up to shape their schools, communities, nation and their futures in positive ways -- simply by being who they are, acting bravely,” said Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride. “We are proud to name these Voice and Action Award recipients and feel confident in their future endeavors -- indeed they are already changing the world.”

Over 40 applicants were considered for this year’s honor. In addition to Wholley and Brinton, Campus Pride will also honor several award applicants as Top 12 Leaders in Action. This year’s awards committee was comprised of Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride; Chris Bylone, Campus Pride volunteer and Voice & Action Award coordinator/chair; Members of the Campus Pride Youth Advisory Board; Shelly Weiss of OUTMedia; Staff Members of Ernst & Young; Dave Reynolds of The Trevor Project; and Vince Garcia of The Point Foundation.

To learn more about the national awards program and individual recipients, visit www.CampusPride.org/voiceandaction.asp or email [email protected].

This year the staff of Campus Pride decided that another level of recognition was to be added in this year’s National Voice & Action Leadership Award. The staff felt that there were too many amazing student leaders creating positive change on their respective campuses to only give recognition to the final recipients of the award. This was the main reason the Top 12 Leaders in Action recognition was created. All of the committee members agree that the 40 applicants who applied and the work they have done is the very reason Campus Pride developed this national honor. These students are on the front lines of the movement creating positive change every day. We should be proud and thankful of all the work they do.

Last week the Campus Pride Youth Advisory Board finished its review and selected the Top 12 Leaders in Action. These 12 students will also be forwarded on to the final review process. This final review process will result in the selection of the National Voice & Action Award Recipient(s).

Now please let us introduce you to the Top 12 Leaders in Action (listed in alphabetical order by first name); Daniel Weidel, Bentley University; David Anderson, Eastern Kentucky University; Evan Gallo, Salve Regina University; Hillary Montague-Asp, University of Colorado at Boulder; Jason Goodman, University of Pennsylvania; JeShawna Wholley, Spelman College; Lee Friedlander, University at Albany - SUNY; Masha Makhyagina, McDaniel College; Nicholas Pfost, Michigan State University; Olivia Tai, Cornell University; Samuel Brinton, Kansas State University; and Yvette Lerma, The Pennsylvania State University.

Learn more about these Top 12 Leaders after the jump!