Generous contribtions from national brands Pepsico and Food Lion support LGBT student leadership development. Early-bird registration for sixth annual Camp Pride ends on May 30

Sixty lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally students from across the nation will travel to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., for five full days of intense social justice leadership training at the annual Camp Pride Summer Leadership Program, July 17-22, 2012.

The signature annual leadership training is a program of Campus Pride, the nation’s leading educational organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create a safer college environment for LGBT students. The camp, which also includes an LGBT Professional Academy for LGBT faculty and advisors, is in its sixth year.

Early-bird registration for the program ends on May 30; those interested can learn more about Camp Pride, registration and scholarship opportunities at www.campuspride.org/camppride/.

Young adult marriage equality advocate Zach Wahls will be among the many nationally-recognized leaders and speakers scheduled to speak at Camp Pride this year. Wahls will also receive an honorary Campus Pride Voice & Action National Leadership Award. Also present at Camp will be Kara Laricks, winner of NBC’s “Fashion Star,” an out lesbian and a student leader during college. Laricks’ profession as a school teacher and her talent and eye for design will serve as inspiration to the LGBT and ally student leaders at our Camp Pride. Other speakers and entertainers scheduled to appear at the summer program include Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, and LGBT researcher Sue Rankin, associate professor of College Student Affairs and Higher Education and research associate at the Center for the Study of Higher Education at Pennsylvania State University.

The 2012 Camp Pride has also garnered the generous support of national corporations, community organizations and celebrities. Sponsors this year include Pepsico, Food Lion, Alliance for Full Acceptance, Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, Charlotte Lesbian & Gay Fund, OUTmedia, Consortium of Higher Education Resource Professionals, Charlotte Pocket Rocket Guide and Tyvola Design.

“Food Lion, A Delhaize America Banner, is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for associates and customers,” said Patrick Washburn, co-chair of the Friends LGBTA Business Resource Group and a Campus Pride board member. “Campus Pride is located in one of our larger market areas where we have multiple stores, and the ability to reach a diverse customer base. We want to ensure that all associates who work here and all customers who do business with us are treated fairly and with respect.”

Alison Doerfler, executive director of The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, said their support of Camp Pride ensures students learn the skills they need to create positive change on their campuses. Their new “Campus Pride StandUp Team” will play an integral role in supporting the missions of their organization and Campus Pride.

“The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation is thrilled to be able to renew our support of Campus Pride in 2012 through the establishment of the Campus Pride StandUp Team,” Doerfler said. “This group of students who benefit from these scholarships to Camp Pride will each develop action plans that will enable them to return to their campuses in the fall as ambassadors of important messages against bullying and homophobia. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Campus Pride through this very important initiative and applaud the impact that Camp Pride has on attendees.”

Registration for the sixth annual Camp Pride, July 17-22, 2012, is now open. An early discounted rate of $815 is available through May 30. Scholarships for free registration are also available. The cost of registration includes educational curriculum, all program materials, accommodations for five nights and meals as well as entertainment and activities. A special “Advisor Bootcamp” track for LGBT and ally faculty advisors is also available. Students and advisors can register online or learn more about scholarship opportunities at www.campuspride.org/camppride/.

The generous support of foundations, corporations and individuals makes the work of Campus Pride possible and makes waves of change on campuses across the country

Like Zach Wahls, we encourage you to support Campus Pride in our work to prepare young LGBT student leaders to step into their futures. Investing in our community's young people can ensure that the future we all dream of can be realized.

When you support Campus Pride, your generous contribution enables us to do work like:

• Stop The Hate Trainings: With several trainings across the country each year, Campus Pride reaches dozens of college and university faculty, staff and students, as well as general community members, and empowers them with the knowledge and skills to prevent bias-motivated crimes on their campuses and in their communities.
• LGBT film screenings: Through the spring semester, Campus Pride helped to facilitate 20 different showings of the new documentary film, "Legalize Gay: The Civil Rights Movement of a Generation," on college campuses and at LGBT student leadership conferences.
• Educating the educators: Each spring and fall, Campus Pride facilitates several online "webinar" sessions focusing on timely and relevant issues of concern to LGBT students, faculty and staff. College administrators, student life staffers, professors and others are given the opportunity to brush up on some of the many issues facing our young people on campuses today.
• Media Advocacy: At Campus Pride, we're proud to be able to utilize our media access in pushing the stories of LGBT students and young people to the fore. We did just that this year. When the national media was focusing on the trial of Dharun Ravi, the former Rutgers student and roommate of Tyler Clementi, who died by suicide after being spied on by Ravi, Campus Pride leaped into action to ensure media outlets across the country included the all-too-important discussion of campus safety and inclusion for LGBT people. All told, millions of people heard our message of respect, inclusion and safety for LGBT students, in addition to our ability to shed light on other important topics, like the uphill battles being faced by LGBT students at Notre Dame and Pepperdine University and many other LGBT students at religiously-affiliated colleges across the country.

And, we can't forget...

Among our most important work is the continued support and development of our LGBT student leaders. Your support enables programs like our unique and one-of-a-kind Camp Pride, our summer leadership development program, to reach out to 60 students across the nation and provide them with the in-depth knowledge, skills and expertise to create real and lasting social justice change at their schools.

"Unless we are willing to take the time as a community to invest in our leaders and to invest in our young people to really prepare for that future, we might only be left with a glimpse of what the future could have been unless realizing what it actually can be. So I hope that you'll join me in supporting Campus Pride in preparing and working with our young leaders to actually make sure that the future we are all dreaming of is actually realized."
-- Zach Wahls

Click here to donate today...

Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer published an exclusive interview with young adult leader and national LGBT ally and advocate Zach Wahls:

"I just wanted to defend my family."

Simply stated, this is why Zach Wahls stood before the Iowa House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 31, 2011 and gave his testimony about being the son of a lesbian couple. Zach had no idea that his impassioned speech about "what makes a family" would go viral on YouTube, with over 18 million views. Nor would he, as a young man at the age of 20, understand immediately the positive impact his words would have on millions of people.

As the founder and executive director of Campus Pride, I have had the pleasure working with thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally young adults over the last two decades. Their energy, drive, resilience, and passion are exactly what the LGBT movement needs more of right now.

I had the chance to sit down on Easter Sunday with Zach, "that kid from YouTube," as he is referred by many, to talk about his life since the viral video, the Boy Scouts, and his new book, My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength, and What Makes a Family.

Read the rest of this outstanding interview at HuffingtonPost.com...

And... check out Zach's message of support for Campus Pride...

You can join Zach in supporting Campus Pride's important work today! Click here to donate!

The annual Camp Pride Summer Leadership Program for LGBT and ally student leaders is quickly approaching! We're extending the early-bird registration from May 1 to May 30! Get on board today for this fabulous, one-of-a-kind social justice leadership development program!

Click here to learn more about and register to attend the 2012 Camp Pride Summer Leadership Program, July 17-22, at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

Camp Pride 2012 is promising to be the BEST CAMP EVER! Just take a look at some of the exciting announcements about this year's camp and some of the brilliant things we've got planned...

• YouTube Sensation Zach Wahls will keynote and receive national award at Camp!
• NBC Fashion Star Kara Laricks will also be on hand!
• Nationally-acclaimed trans, spoken-word icon Kit Yan is our official Artist-in-Residence!
• Other nationally-respected LGBT and civil rights leaders will be on hand to help lead Camp, including National Center for Transgender Equality's Mara Keisling, EveryoneIsGay.com's Kristin Russo and Dannielle Owens-Reid, and many, many more!

What they're saying...

“Campus Pride provides a safe, open space for new student leaders and for more experienced leaders alike. It is an extraordinary way to learn the basics of campus organizing as well as new strategies to create change.”
–21 year-old, gay male

“Campus Pride rocks! When I first searched the website, I was amazed that everything I needed as a LGBT student leader was there. I go back often to find what’s new and improved…”
–18 year-old, bisexual female

“I no longer feel alone. Campus Pride helped me meet others who share the same issues, challenges and frustrations as a leader. I feel more empowered, now than ever.”
–19 year-old, bisexual female

“I have been to almost a dozen LGBT conferences and events over the years. Never did I feel more welcome and included as a trans-identified, gender queer person than in the dialogue shared and tools provided during this program. Thank you.”
–22 year-old, M toF transgender

Don't miss out on scholarship opportunities and early-bird registration! Spread the word!

Early-bird registration runs through May 30, 2012 ($815 before May 30; $945 afterward)! The first-priority deadline for scholarship applications has already passed, but applications are still being accepted. Don't wait! Register or apply for scholarships today, and spread the word! Forward this email on to your friends and peers at your school or alma mater or those involved with your campus' LGBTQA student organization. Or, take a moment to talk to your peers on campus about your past Camp Pride experiences and encourage them to register for Camp today at www.campuspride.org/camppride/!

In July, 60 LGBT and ally students from across the nation will gather at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., for the 2012 Camp Pride Summer Leadership Camp, Campus Pride's annual summer leadership development program for LGBT college and university students and faculty. Waiting for them when they arrive will be a stellar line-up of speakers, activists and entertainers to boost their spirits, impart their knowledge and help build up the current and future leaders of our LGBT movement!

Campus Pride recently announced that spoken word and slam poetry artist Kit Yan will be Camp Pride's artist-in-residence. In addition to Yan's appearance, Kara Laricks of NBC's "Fashion Star" will also be on hand.

Zach Wahls, affectionately known as "That Kid From YouTube," whose passionate testimony in front of the Iowa General Assembly defending his lesbian parents and family was named YouTube's Top Political Video of 2011 will keynote the annual leadership development experience. While at Camp Pride, Wahls will be presented an honorary Campus Pride Voice & Action National Leadership Award.

Nationally-respected LGBT movement leaders and speakers will also be at Camp, sharing their wisdom, knowledge and insights to help young LGBT and ally student leaders learn the skills they need to create positive, LGBT-inclusive social justice change on their campuses and in their communities.

Speakers confirmed for Camp Pride thus far include:

• Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, reknown for her indepth policy knowledge and experience in LGB and transgender inclusion efforts.
• Caitlin Ryan, director of the Family Acceptance Project and San Francisco State University, whose work on LGBT health and mental health since the 1970s has had a defining impact on how communities work with LGBT youth and families.
• Robyn Ochs, a bisexual speaker, teacher, writer and activist, who has made significant contributions to the national LGBT equality movement while raising awareness of bisexuality, pansexuality and other underserved and marginalized people within the LGBT community.
• Cathy Renna, a nationally-respected communications strategist known for her media relations expertise and work with LGBT non-profits and other clients for nearly 20 years.
• Sue Rankin, associate professor of College Student Affairs and Higher Education and research associate at the Center for the Study of Higher Education at Pennsylvania State University, who serves on the research staff of Campus Pride's Q Research Institute for Higher Education and helped author Campus Pride's landmark report, The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People.
• Marisa Richmond, president of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, known for her extensive work on LGB and transgender inclusion efforts at local, state and national levels.
• Kristin Russo and Dannielle Owens-Reid of EveryOneisGay.com, an advice site for those who are "confused about sexuality, gender-identity, dating, falling in love, or even dressing up like Super Woman." Kristin and Dannielle also tour high schools and colleges nationwide.

Other speakers, artists and leaders will also attend Camp Pride and will be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition to our speakers and entertainers, Camp Pride is excited to welcome a phenomenal team of Camp Pride faculty, staff and student leaders.

Serving as Camp Pride Faculty this year are: Marcia "Ma" Purdy, Robyn Ochs, Nikita Burks, Robbie Powers (William Paterson University), Ash Wickell (Friends University, Wichita State University) and Jake Christensen (The University of Iowa). Service as staff are: Lisa Simmons-Barth (Towson University), Katie Simmons-Barth (Towson University), Laura Graving (Alumni Network Coordinator) and Shane Windmeyer (Campus Pride). Advisor Boot Camp Coordinators are: Annmarie Vacaro (University of Rhode Island) and Vin Porifirio (Sage College of Albany). Pride Leaders are students who have previously attended Camp Pride who have returned to help mentor and lead their peers. This year's Pride Leaders include: Alethia England (Vanderbilt University), Jennie Rokakis (Eastern Michigan University), Jess McDonald (Elon University), Spencer Whalen (Occidental College), Mack H. Lewis II (Northern Illinois University) and Nicolas Daily (Oregan State University).

Camp Pride is a one-of-kind leadership experience that brings together over 60 LGBT and allied young people from across the country for five days of student leadership development, campus organizing techniques, conflict management, social justice advocacy, diversity education and more. The summer leadership program will be featured in the May 5, 2012, TV premiere of the documentary “Legalize Gay: The Civil Rights Movement of a Generation” on the national TV network Logo. Campus Pride is the nation’s leading non-profit organization for LGBT and allied college and university students.

Registration for the sixth annual Camp Pride is now open. An early discounted rate of $815 is available through May 1. Scholarships for free registration are also available. The cost of registration includes educational curriculum, all program materials, accommodations for five nights and meals as well as entertainment and activities. A special “Advisor Bootcamp” track for LGBT and ally faculty advisors is also available. Students and advisors can register online or learn more about scholarship opportunities at www.campuspride.org/camppride/.

Join Campus Pride for a special webinar this week on Wednesday, April 18, with young adult marriage equality advocate and straight ally Zach Wahls. A perfect addition to your campus' LGBT programming!

AS SEEN ON YOUTUBE: “My Two Moms” or Everything I Needed to Know About Gay Marriage I Learned in Debate Class with guest presenter Zach Wahls, “That Kid from YouTube” and Author of the new book “My Two Moms”

Click here to learn more about this webinar and others, and register your campus for $95 and be entered into a drawing to win FREE REGISTRATION for a student from your campus to attend the 2012 Camp Pride Summer Leadership Program, July 17-22, at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

Webinar Details:
Thursday, April 19, 3p.m. Eastern/Noon Pacific (50-75 minutes)
Only $95 per site includes web recording

Zach Wahls, 20, is known as “that kid from YouTube with two moms.” His passionate testimony before the Iowa General Assembly against a proposed anti-LGBT constitutional amendment was the number one YouTube "Political
Video" of 2011. Today Zach continues his national advocacy speaking in favor of marriage equality and will release his new memoir titled My Two Moms on April 26, 2012.This webinar will provide a 35,000-foot analysis of the same-sex marriage debate and unpack some of the most common arguments heard from the other side. After assessing the arguments, we’ll look at the most effective ways to counter them (i.e. don’t be afraid to call out someone playing the “as a straight person, my rights are under attack” card.) as well as the least effective ways to counter them. There is an art to argumentation that has to be learned and practiced, and while this workshop certainly won’t teach you everything you need to know, it will give participants of all ages a foundation on which to further build debate and communication skills. It will also offer seasoned spokespeople some tips to further refine their messaging. Wahls will also speak to his own experience and what his journey as a LGBT advocate.

Participants will:

• Understand the nature and context of the national marriage debate.
• Be able to respond to the five most frequent arguments against marriage.
• Learn why sometimes the best argument is one you don’t have to make.
• Avoid some of the simple mistakes that, as activists, we tend to accidentally make all the time and
• without realizing we’ve done so.
• Learn from Wahls story of his family and how his life has been forever changed.

This special April 18 webinar makes a perfect addition to your campus' LGBT programming! Invite as many attendees -- students, staff or faculty -- to attend your viewing of the webinar and use a screen projector to increase audience size! Great for Pride Week activities and other LGBT campus events!

Other upcoming webinars...

To Ask or Not to Ask: LGBT Identity Questions on National Research and College Forms, April 19
Learn more or register now...

LGBT College Students: Use and Abuse of Alcohol and Other Drugs, April 25
Learn more or register now...

Shining Light on the Whole Spectrum: How to Embrace Bisexual, Pansexual, Fluid And Questioning Students Through Programming And Practice, April 26
Learn more or register now...

We’re Here to Recruit You: College Admissions & LGBT Students, May 2
Learn more or register now...

WHAT: Believe in Youth Awareness Event with Zach Wahls
WHEN: Saturday, April 7, 2012, 5 p.m.
WHERE: Wells Fargo Auditorium at Knight Theatre, Levine Center for the Arts, 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC
COST: Free. Donations encouraged.

Click here for more information and to RSVP on Facebook...

The campaigns on Amendment One, North Carolina's anti-LGBT constitutional amendment, are heating up. On April 7, just one month before the landmark May 8 vote on the measure, Campus Pride and Time Out Youth will present their third annual “Believe in Youth Awareness Event” with national young adult leader and marriage equality advocate Zach Wahls.

The event is free and open to the public and will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2012, at 5 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Auditorium at Knight Theatre at Levine Center for the Arts, 430 S. Tryon St. Click here for more information and to RSVP on Facebook...

Zach Wahls, 20, is known as “that kid from YouTube with tow moms.” His passionate testimony before the Iowa General Assembly against a proposed anti-LGBT constitutional amendment was the number one YouTube “Political Video” of 2011. Today, Wahls continues his national advocacy by speaking in favor of marriage equality and comes to North Carolina one month prior to the statewide vote on the anti-LGBT constitutional amendment, Amendment One. His book, “My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength, and What Makes a Family” (Gotham Books), is due to be released on April 26, 2012.

Though the event is free, donations are encouraged; proceeds with benefit the Charlotte-based Campus Pride, the nation’s leading nonprofit for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally college student leaders, and Time Out Youth, Charlotte’s local support, advocacy and education organization for LGBT youth ages 13-23.

The Coalition to Protect All N.C. Families, the referendum committee formed to oppose Amendment One, will also be on-hand to talk to supporters, register voters and encourage people to pledge to vote against the amendment.

Campus Pride & Time Out Youth present ‘Believe in Youth’ annual speaker series on April 7 with young adult marriage equality advocate Zach Wahls

2011 “Top Political Video” YouTube sensation and author of “My Two Moms” to speak in Charlotte, empower LGBT and ally young people to action and change

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Campus Pride and Time Out Youth have partnered to present their third annual “Believe in Youth Awareness Event” with national young adult leader and marriage equality advocate Zach Wahls. The event, free and open to the public, will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2012, at 5 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Auditorium at Knight Theatre at Levine Center for the Arts, 430 S. Tryon St.

Zach Wahls, 20, is known as “that kid from YouTube with two moms.” His passionate testimony before the Iowa General Assembly against a proposed anti-LGBT constitutional amendment was the number one YouTube “Political Video” of 2011. Today, Wahls continues his national advocacy by speaking in favor of marriage equality and comes to North Carolina one month prior to the statewide vote on the anti-LGBT constitutional amendment, Amendment One. His book, “My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength, and What Makes a Family” (Gotham Books), is due to be released on April 26, 2012.

“Zach’s amazing conviction in standing up for the rights of his family has been an inspiration to LGBT young people, families and straight allies across this nation,” said Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer. “At a time when the national debate on marriage equality for same-sex couples continues to be used as a political football, Zach’s simple message of love, honor and commitment reminds each of us what a family is really about and acts to empower young people across the nation to stand up for what they believe is right and true.”

Time Out Youth Executive Director Rodney Tucker added, “Zach represents a new generation of Americans who willing to step up for their LGBT families, friends and peers. Developing strong allies like Zach is important to our mission. Zach is an excellent example of how our straight allies can represent the LGBT community and lead in the fight for equality.”

Campus Pride’s and Time Out Youth’s “Believe in Youth” has previously hosted national equality advocate Judy Shepard, mother of 1998 hate crime victim Matthew Shepard, and Mitchell Gold, a North Carolina furniture maker, national LGBT advocate and philanthropist.

The April 7 event is free and open to the public. Donations are encouraged; proceeds with benefit the Charlotte-based Campus Pride, the nation’s leading nonprofit for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally college student leaders, and Time Out Youth, Charlotte’s local support, advocacy and education organization for LGBT youth ages 13-23.

Wahls, thrust into spotlight after impassioned speech defending his two mothers, to be awarded honorary Voice & Action Award at Campus Pride’s Summer Leadership Camp

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Registration for the sixth annual Camp Pride, July 17-22, 2012, is now open. An early discounted rate of $815 is available through May 1. Scholarships for free registration are also available. A special “Advisory Bootcamp” track for LGBT and ally faculty advisors is also available. Students and advisors can register online or learn more about scholarship opportunities at www.campuspride.org/camppride/

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Iowa native Zach Wahls, whose speech on his state house’s floor on behalf of his mothers and marriage equality inspired millions, will speak as a guest keynote and receive an honorary Voice & Action National Leadership Award at Camp Pride (www.campuspride.org/camppride/), the national summer leadership program for young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight ally student leaders held July 17-22, 2012, at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University.

Wahls’ Jan. 31, 2011, speech in front of the Iowa House Judiciary Committee went viral on YouTube and other social media outlets in the days after he took a stand in his state’s debate on marriage. Soon after, TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres invited Wahls on her show to discuss his speech and his family’s story. Since then, Wahls has spent countless hours advocating for his family and other LGBT-led families and their fight to receive equal marriage rights across the U.S. His book, “My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength, and What Makes a Family” (Gotham Books), is due to be released on April 26, 2012.

“Zach’s amazing conviction in standing up for the rights of his family has been an inspiration to LGBT young people, families and straight allies across this nation,” said Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer. “At a time when the national debate on marriage equality for same-sex couples continues to be used as a political football, Zach’s simple message of love, honor and commitment reminds each of us what a family is really about and acts to empower young people across the nation to stand up for what they believe is right and true.”

The Voice & Action National Leadership Award will be presented to Wahls on the final evening of Camp Pride. Wahls will be joined at the camp by other national speakers and entertainers. Past honorary award winners have included Neil Giuliano, Donna Rose, Mara Keisling, Judy Shepard and Daniel Hernandez, Jr. 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 people on their campuses and in their communities. Campus Pride honored three other students with the award this year, including University of California, Berkeley’s Marco Flores, New York University’s Tovah Leibowitz and Duke University’s Jacob Tobia.

Camp Pride, Campus Pride’s Summer Leadership Program, is a one-of-kind leadership experience that brings together over 60 LGBT and allied young people from across the country for five days of student leadership development, campus organizing techniques, conflict management, social justice advocacy, diversity education and more. The summer leadership program will be featured in May in the documentary “Legalize Gay: The Civil Rights Movement of a Generation” on the national TV network Logo. Campus Pride is the nation’s leading non-profit organization for LGBT and allied college and university students.

Registration for the sixth annual Camp Pride, July 17-22, 2012, is now open. An early discounted rate of $815 is available through May 1. Scholarships for free registration are also available. The cost of registration includes educational curriculum, all program materials, accommodations for five nights and meals as well as entertainment and activities. A special “Advisory Bootcamp” track for LGBT and ally faculty advisors is also available. Students and advisors can register online or learn more about scholarship opportunities at www.campuspride.org/camppride/.

Powerful new film, ‘Legalize Gay: The Civil Rights Movement of a Generation,’ documents stories of LGBT young adult leaders fighting for equality and change

A special hometown premiere...

Campus Pride is proud to present a special "Legalize Gay" screening in Charlotte, where the organization is proudly based. Join us for two special screenings in Charlotte:

Feb. 9, 7 p.m.
Petra’s
1919 Commonwealth Ave.
Charlotte, NC, 28205

Feb. 11, 2 p.m.
LGBT Community Center
820 Hamilton St., Suite B11
Charlotte, NC, 28206

At both screenings, local LGBT community leaders, including newly-elected Charlotte City Councilmember LaWana Mayfield, will participate in a panel discussion and Q&A following the film.

“Legalize Gay: The Civil Rights Movement of a Generation,” a documentary film set to debut in May on the national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) TV network LOGO, is currently making special, advanced screenings to LGBT and ally audiences across the country.

Campus Pride and its student and young leaders are featured in the documentary, an incredibly inspiring film that captures the courage and conviction of a new generation of activists determined to close the deal on full equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

The film’s director, Christopher Hines, has partnered with Campus Pride to provide special preview screenings of the films, including upcoming screenings at the Midwest LGBT College Conference at Iowa State University in Aimes, Iowa, on Feb. 10, and at the Campus Pride Carolinas Young Adult Leadership Summit at the Human Rights Campaign Carolina Gala in Charlotte, N.C., on Feb. 24.

“Campus Pride is already doing so much in the struggle for LGBT equality at universities and colleges across the country. I hope ‘Legalize Gay’ can help in that effort,” Hines said. “The young people in the film are so inspiring.”

“’Legalize Gay’ is not only thought-provoking and inspirational, but very entertaining,” said Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer.

Featured in the film is “Camp Pride,” an annual event sponsored by Campus Pride, aimed at giving a new generation of LGBT activists the skills and support they need to flourish at their universities and colleges.

“It was so much fun and impressive to film such a diverse group of young people working together for a common cause – equality,” Hines said. “I hope we can get hundreds of students attending Camp Pride every year.”

A portion of each of the preview screening booking fees will help to provide scholarships for students to attend Camp Pride, held July 17-22, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. Students can apply for Camp Pride scholarships at www.CampusPride.org/CampPride.

Current National Screening Dates:
Sun., Jan. 29 -- Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Thurs., Feb. 9 & Sat, Feb 11-- Community Screening, Charlotte, NC
Fri., Feb. 10 -- Midwest LGBT College Conference, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Fri., Feb. 24 -- Carolinas LGBT College Summit, Charlotte, NC
Fri., Feb. 24 -- Western LGBT College Conference, Univ Pacific, Stockton, CA
Sat., Feb. 25 -- University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Thurs., March 8 -- Wichita State University, Wichita, KS
Fri., March 30 -- NorthEast LGBT College Conference, Sage College, Troy, NY
Wed., April 4 -- Lock Haven University of PA, Lockhaven, PA
Tues., April 17 -- CSU Chico, Chico, CA

For more information on booking a special advance screening of the film, visit www.CampusPride.org/LegalizeGay. Advance screenings cost $500.