Last fall, news broke of two concerning stories at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.

In November, Belmont University student Robbie Maris, president of the nascent Bridge Builders student group, said school administrators had denied his and other students' requests to form the group. Instead, university administrators pointed to a school-sanctioned discussion group on sexuality that meets twice monthly. At the time, Maris said the university-run discussion group isn't enough.

Then, in December, a women's soccer coach was dismissed after she announced she was having a child with her same-sex partner. Though the school's athletics director, Mike Strickland, said coach Lisa Howe left on her own volition, students and others rose up in protest.

Their criticisms have made some progress.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Belmont has added "sexual orientation" to its non-discrimination policy, though it remains unclear if the addition of the term will cover sexually-active LGB people.

From The AP:

At the time of Howe's departure, [Belmont President Bob] Fisher said that the university does not consider sexual orientation in admissions or hiring decisions. On Wednesday, he said the policy change simply affirms the practices already in place.

Asked whether his statements could be taken to mean that Howe was not pressured to leave because she came out to students, Fisher said he could not talk about any specific cases.

"This is a great victory for the values of inclusion, human dignity and respect," Howe said in a statement. "I am grateful to the Belmont board for recognizing that being gay and being Christian are not mutually exclusive. This is a landmark day."

Several reporters wanted to know whether Belmont was making a distinction between sexual orientation and sexual practice.

Belmont's student code of conduct lists sex outside of marriage as "sexual misconduct." Since gays and lesbians cannot marry in Tennessee, there is no way for them to be sexually active without violating the code.

Campus Pride's 2011 Summer Leadership Camp will be held in Nashville in July at the nearby Vanderbilt University. Learn more: www.campuspride.org/camppride/

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

JeShawna Wholley

Spelman College
Class of 2011
Program of Study: Comparative Women’s Studies
Intended Profession: Non-Profit Management
Age: 22
Home: Marietta, GA

“When I awoke to an email with the subject line: “CONGRATULATIONS! You have been selected as a Voice & Action Award Recipient,” my immediate reaction was shock! I couldn’t believe it. My induction into the world of social activism came about because I could never stand by and watch a group of people be marginalized and isolated; I was never concerned with recognition. So, to receive a national award honoring the work that I do out of simple love and dedication to my community is AMAZING! I am so grateful and honored.” ~ JeShawna Wholley

JeShawna Wholley is currently a senior at Spelman College studying Comparative Women’s Studies expecting her Bachelor’s of Arts in May 2011.

At Spelman College, JeShawna is the former president of Afrekete, the LGBTQ group, and with her fellow members they engage their campus community in conversations “against injustices and inequalities, ensuring an inclusive climate.” However her involvement does not stop there, JeShawna served as the Project Coordinator for the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance and volunteered her time with Choice USA, coordinating a call-in day for safe sex education; as well as the Feminist Majority Foundation, coordinating the national women of color conference at Spelman College. In addition, JeShawna is employeed as an Arcus funded student researcher in the Women’s Research and Resource Center at Spelman College. Her work has not just been noticed by peers and mentors on campus; she has garnered the attention of President Obama which led JeShawna to be invited to the White House to attend the reception in commemoration of the 42nd anniversary of the Stonewall Riot. Most in our communities have been impressed with President Obama’s recognition of our Movement’s efforts; JeShawna has had the great privilege of experiencing this first hand.

The Voice & Action Committee began to learn about JeShawna through her cover letter. She shared with us why she was called into the selfless work of achieving equality for all people. To begin to learn why she is a recipient, here is an excerpt from her cover letter:

“It wasn’t until my Introduction into Women’s Studies course when I finally experienced true intellectual stimulation at Spelman College. Here, I felt empowered and equipped against the forces of patriarchy and social injustices. As I learned about crusaders such as Toni Cade and Barbara Smith I knew that I wanted to politicize my lesbianism. I wanted this identity to be more than just my orientation or preference, but a statement against patriarchy and social norms. I wanted to be a lesbian activist.

"I had no idea that my quest to improve the social climate on my college campus would result in me finding my calling as an activist programmer and organizer. Conceptualizing, planning and executing programs that raised awareness, provided safe and embracing spaces and cultivated a since of community on campus has been an enriching experience that has shaped my path for my future endeavors.”

The committee is sure that her future endeavors will lead to nothing but brining about amazing positive change in any community JeShawna is a part of, we know this by reading her essay on what she views as the greatest challenges facing LGBT persons and our Allies. More importantly it is how these challenges will be met and the role everyone plays in meeting these challenges.

Learn more about JeShawna: www.campuspride.org/voiceandactionjeshawnawholley.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].

Students, volunteers and supporters of Campus Pride are banding together to make sure the organization they love and cherish, as well as its executive director and founder Shane Windmeyer, are given the chance to be honored in a big, big way this year.

The Grinnell College Young Innovator for Social Justice Prize is an international award that recognizes people under the age of 40 who have made a significant impact in the lives of others through their social justice work and vision for a better world. Three winners will be chosen and each will receive $100,000, to be split evenly between the winner and an organization of their choice.

"Together we have an opportunity to make a difference for Campus Pride and recognize the work that Shane has done to better the lives of LGBT students across the nation," is how one student described the push to nominate Shane.

"When I read about the award, Shane came to mind immediately," said Lisa Simmons, longstanding Campus Pride volunteer from Towson University. "We are all beneficiaries of his vision and mission that brought about Campus Pride in 2001 and all of the many programs that have come to be since that time."

Nikita Burks, originally a Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camper, is now a graduate from Columbia College in Columbia, S.C. She works now as a volunteer for Campus Pride. Like the student above and Simmons, she's encouraging others to nominate Shane.

"The most important aspect of Shane's work is that it concentrates on training youth to be leaders and to realize what social justice means, their role in social justice and equality in all aspects," she said. "Shane is committed not for himself but to improve and help the lives of other youth and help the nation as a whole by training youth and helping them realize their goals, potential, passions. He's helping to lead the way, to keep the fight going toward our common goal of equality. He's fully committed; he's made it his life. This is what he does; it's his dream and he's living it out. I think he deserves this award."

These Campus Pride student leaders and volunteers, among others, are encouraging students, faculty, staff, administrators and colleagues across the nation to send in a nomination for Shane Windmeyer -- speaking to how Campus Pride, his work has impacted social justice in an innovative way -- whether it be his founding of Campus Pride the leading national nonprofit for LGBT and ally college students and campus groups, the creation of the Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp for LGBT and ally college student leaders, his work developing the online LGBT-friendly Campus Climate Index for LGBT youth and families to find safe, welcoming colleges, the LGBT-Friendly National College Fair Program, his book The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students which profiles for the first time the Top 100 LGBT-friendly colleges in the United States, his work as the founder of the Stop The Hate Bias & Hate Crime Prevention Train The Trainer Program training over 1900 students, faculty and staff across the country, his landmark work on LGBT issues in fraternity and sorority life (including his books Out on Fraternity Row, Secret Sister and Brotherhood) or whatever else you know about Shane that makes him deserving of this prestigious award. Tell the story of how Shane and his founding of Campus Pride have made a difference in your life and the fight for Social Justice.

You can send in your nomination by submitting an online form at:
http://www.grinnell.edu/offices/chaplain/socialjusticeprize

The DEADLINE for submissions is FEBRUARY 1st.

P.S. -- When you send in a nomination, please inform Lisa Simmons at [email protected] so she can know who has submitted a nomination online.