Matthew Shepard Scholarship Announces 2007 Matthew Shepard Scholars
For Immediate Release
June 1, 2007

Contact:
Michael Bowser
michael@eychanerfoundation.org
515/473-0002

Des Moines - Dustin Amans of Marshalltown, Amy Boitnott of Fort Dodge, Rachel Jensen of Cedar Falls and Joshua Merritt of Johnston will receive full Matthew Shepard Scholarships worth approximately $30,000 each. Fourteen others, Sarah Dunn of Waterloo, William Hamilton of Urbandale, Lisa Hansen of Clinton, Kollan Kolthoff of Alden, Daniel Loots of Fort Dodge, Lauren Mattison of Dubuque, Jared Mitchell of Marshalltown, Tyler Mooers of Carlisle, Tyler Parker of Hiawatha, Robert Perrin-Hayes of Clutier, Turk Pierson of Davenport, Amber Sheely of Iowa City, Michael Tallon of Davenport and Heather Walker of Waterloo will receive honorary scholarships worth $2,000 each.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, Speaker of the House Pat Murphy, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell will be honored for their work in passing the anti-bullying law and adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Iowa's civil rights law.

Dustin Amans experienced homophobia when, upon coming out, he was told not to come home. After years of pain, shame and self-loating Dustin came out to his mother and friends. His friends were accepting, indifferent about his sexual orientation. His mother was not. Unleashing every skeleton from its closet, Dustin told his mom about an unknown piercing, a speeding ticket and his sexuality. She called him a joke and an embarrassment. She said he was intentionally trying to break her heart. After fighting and verbal abuse Dustin was asked to leave home. Dustin says, "One could suppose I am homeless, but I do not like to look at my situation like that. I have so many people that truly care for me and accept me for who I am, and my home is in their hearts. I am confident without doubt that my mother loves me too, and I will never stop loving her." Dustin lived with friends until he turned eighteen and moved into a shelter. Since then, Dustin has shared his story as a homeless high school student. He spoke at Drake University on Coming Out and Homelessness and at the Fourth Annual Gay-Straight Alliance Conference and at various other Gay-Straight Alliance meetings and conferences. Dustin has also been very active at his own high school. He was the first openly gay student at his school. He answered many questions his friends asked and made presentations in classes. He put in motion the creation of a Gay-Straight Alliance at East Marshall High School and planned many activities including Day of Silence. Dustin plans to be a strong leader in college; he hopes to share his experiences at conferences and seminars. He will offer help and understanding to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. He will attend Iowa State University in Ames.

Amy Boitnoff created and leads the Fort Dodge Gay-Straight Alliance. She fought for a proposed city law that would make harassment and discrimination illegal against people due to actual or perceived sexual orientation. She spoke out when the city council failed to let the proposal be heard. Amy came out her freshman year of high school. Her parents were furious and her home life was shattered. To numb herself for the pain, Amy turned to alcohol and drugs. Struggling to identify, Amy found support from school that ultimately saved her life. After a year of struggling, Amy was able to look others in the eye and tell them that she was a lesbian. Moved by a mock debate over the legalization of marriage for gay and lesbian people, Amy attended a discussion over enhancing the Fort Dodge antidiscrimination policy to protect lgbt people. Amy says, "I watched our human rights president get scoffed at and dismissed by our city government and thought about my own experiences. I decided to take action of my own." The next day Amy started a Gay-Straight Alliance. The organization began by meeting biweekly in her home until they could approach the school board. Amy took surveys of teachers, students and parents; she drafted policies for the organization; she meet with the school harassment director, teachers, counselors and the principal to create a proposal. The school board denied Amy recognition for the Gay-Straight Alliance but gave her school sanctioning after making it very clear that they did not condone the organization. The GSA advocated for the proposed city law adding actual or perceived sexual orientation to the nondiscrimination policy when it was up for debate once again. A forum was held at a local park to allow people to learn about the proposal and to share stories and opinions with city officials. Amy took a petition door to door and collected hundreds of citizens' signatures. The city council tabled the amendment. Amy plans to immediately join the LGBT group at her university   and plans to continue as a leader in fighting homophobia, bigotry and bullying. She will attend Iowa State University in Ames.

Rachel Jensen has been an active leader with the Cedar Falls Gay-Straight Alliance. She has planned events, reduced homophobia in her school and took her girl friend to prom. Rachel was also busy with a variety of activities. As a core member of her high school's other diversity group, Rachel facilitated discussions on tolerance of minority, religious and sexual orientation issues among high school students and organized a diversity day among junior high school students. Rachel plans to remain an active LGBT leader and help other students. She will attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Joshua Merritt had to fight his school to start a Gay-Straight Alliance. He quickly met with resistance from school administrators. He was told that he had to immediately submit a mission statement to his principal and faculty advisor and the organization would be approved. It wasn't. Josh was next told he had to write a constitution for the organization and submit it to the principal, administrators and school board. Researching constitutions that had been used at various colleges and universities, Josh carefully wrote and submitted a constitution for the Gay-Straight Alliance. He again met with resistance from his principal, administrators and school board. Josh next turned to the Iowa Pride Network and   the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa for help. Shortly after recieving a letter from the ACLU, the administration changed its position and allowed the Gay-Straight Alliance to organize. The GSA soon held several meetings and attracted over twenty members. Josh worked to educate students from the Des Moines metro by inviting a transgender person to speak to a combined meeting of the five area high school GSAs. Josh came out to friends and family his freshman year of high school. Both were very understanding and supportive. Josh plans to seek leadership positions while in college and hopes to grow the University of Iowa's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Allied Union. He will attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Sarah Dunn found strength at her high school's Gay-Straight Alliance as she was coming out. Having not thought about being a part of the LGBT community, coming out was a difficult process. Sarah now leads the West High School Gay-Straight Alliance. The group honored Matthew Shepard by wearing white bands on their arms and answering questions about his murder. She also spoke out when the Waterloo Community School District discussed adding sexual orientation to the districts nondiscrimination policy. Sarah plans to stay involved not only in the LGBT community but also in state and local issues by speaking with legislators, school board members and college administratiors concerning issues affecting the LGBT community. She will attend the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

William Hamilton's passion for advocacy was fueled while fighting for the Laramie Project at Valley High School this fall. Asking for support from school board members, administrators, community members and even peers is only the beginning of William's accomplishments as Valley High School's Gay-Straight Alliance President. He has reduced homophobia in Valley High School's administrators, bolstered attendance at the Gay-Straight Alliance and positioned the organization to continue to grow and achieve greater success. With high standards for education, goals and physical well-being, William hopes to remain a strong leader for the LGBT community. William has found tremendous support from his gay brother and enjoys helping family members develop loving relationships.. Otherwise active in speech and debate, political activism and National Honor Society, William has received over forty awards for speech and debate nationally. William plans to advocate for LGBT equality and tolerance at college as well as continue this fight on a local, state and national level. He will attend the American University in Washington, D.C.

Lisa Hansen was outed at fourteen when her mother discovered poems and stories that she had written about homosexuality. Initially her mother wasn't accepting, but over time she learned to accept Lisa and now offers to take her to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender events in Iowa City and Des Moines. Lisa has participated annually in the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network's Day of Silence. Additionally, Lisa is the co-editor and a staff writer for her school newspaper. She has written numerous editorials about gay marriage and changes around the nation and world that affect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Lisa plans to become an active leader with local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations and hopes to participate in national political marches. She will attend Clinton Community College.

Kollan Kolthoff is driven to enlighten others and promote diversity. Living in a smaller community, Kollan has found many opportunities to open the hearts and minds of those around him. Kollan says, "I have held my head high and am proud to be gay, and anyone in our community will tell you so." Kollan has worked to create a new nondiscrimination policy for his school that would prohibit discrimination of any kind. He has worked to start a coalition of students, teachers and parents to construct this new policy. Kollan lobbied legislators for statewide civil rights protections. He listened to their objections, or support, of the legislation, and explained why the bill was personally important and what impact the legislation would have on all Iowans. Kollan plans to remain vocal about LGBT rights, fight discrimination and promote understanding. He will attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Daniel Loots had a difficult time coming out. After a relationship with a girl for a year he was compelled to be honest with her. He was worried that she would react negatively because of her conservative upbringing. She accepted him with open arms. Daniel's mother was also curious about his sexual orientation. He came out to her and she was immediately accepting. Daniel worked to fight homophobia by occasionally attending Gay-Straight Alliance meetings. He was also an active participant in National Honor Society, Youth in Action and Dodger Senate. Daniel plans to become active with an LGBT group in college and empower others to make a difference. He will attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Lauren Mattison has worked to reduce the level of homophobia at Dubuque Senior High and in the Dubuque area. As a sophomore, Lauren presented at a convention on discrimination for new educators. She shared her story of having a gay father and brother. She has promoted diversity by being active with her Gay-Straight Alliance, volunteering at the Gay, Lesbian or Whatever Resource Center, and supporting the NO Discrimination In School Program. Lauren helped organize an AIDS benefit in Illinois that organized local businesses to raise money for AIDS education and prevention. Lauren hopes to become a teacher and plans to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students by prohibiting discrimination and bullying in her classroom and school. Lauren plans to stay involved by joining organizations at her college and promoting diversity and LGBT causes. Lauren will attend the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

Jared Mitchell experienced bullying in his high school even before he came out. He was often made fun of in the hallways; people would call him faggot or queer. Jared began coming out   his freshman year and told more friends as a sophomore. Jared was on the wrestling team when he was coming out. When his teammates found out he was gay they began protesting his membership and got him in trouble. A few of the wrestlers told the coach Jared was looking at them and checking them out. One night a team member said Jared was taking pictures in the locker room with his camera phone. Jared was humiliated and wished he hadn't come out. He finished the season and the school year ended. His junior year he tired out for the football cheer leading squad instead. He still encountered homophobia when he traveled to other schools. Jared was president and co-president of his high school's GSA and worked to educate others about GLBT issues. Jared plans to become active with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students in college. He will attend Scott Community College in Davenport.

Tyler Mooers found the strength to come out with the help of friends and the Iowa Pride Network. Tyler's family life didn't change; his parents' love and support only grew. Friends were just waiting for him to tell them. Tyler has made it his mission to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. He has participated in the Governors's Conferences on GLBT Youth in Iowa and lobbied legislators numerous times for safe school legislation. Tyler has interviewed with numerous newspapers, radio and TV stations and presented a workshop at the fourth annual Gay-Straight Alliance Conference. Tyler plans to stay involved with LGBT organizations and programs through the Iowa Pride Network. He will attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Tyler Parker grew up in a home with an older gay brother who was already out; yet coming out wasn't any easier. Tyler quickly encountered turmoil when he invited his boyfriend to a family wedding. However, through thoughtful conversations, he opened the minds of family members. Playing the role of Andy Paris in The Laramie Project , Tyler showed members of the audience the real effects of homophobia. Tyler has ambitious goals for his future and says he wants make Iowa a safer place for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Tyler plans to join Iowa State University's LGBTA and be an active member. He will continue to fight homophobia and hopes to mentor area LGBT high school kids. He will attend Iowa State University in Ames.

When Robert Perrin-Hayes came out in a small school in rural Iowa, bullying soon followed. The biggest bully had been a close friend, and also worked with Robert. Escaping harassment and threats was impossible. Robert says, "At first they began to call me names like faggot, fag, homo and queer. Then the number one bully threatened to 'pound my face in'". However, most of Robert's classmates supported him through coming out, and over time the bullying lessened. Robert quickly found his voice and began using it; as a presenter at the First Governor's Gay-Straight Ally Conference, he told others his story and offered advice to other students. He was also invited to become a part of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Educator Network's Jumpstart Leadership Team, was featured on MTV, focusing on safe schools legislation. Robert plans to remain an activist for LGBT causes and network other colleges with his own through workshops for topics like AIDS, LGBT and women's rights. He will attend Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa.

Turk Pierson started a Gay-Straight Alliance at Central High School in Davenport his sophomore year and worked to keep it running through his junior year. He planned Day of Silence events for Central High and made them a success. Turk plans to seek out GLBT activism groups while in college while being an active community leader and a resource for other students that need assistance with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. He will attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Amber Sheely came out to her parents and friends as a freshman when she began dating her girlfriend. Coming out was an easier process for Amber. Although her mother was naturally concerned for Amber's safety, she had the support of her friends and a liberal hometown filled with resources. Amber has participated in numerous efforts to reduce the level of homophobia in her school by presenting non-discrimination training to faculty and staff. She has organized activities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth in her community as well. Amber plans to continue working to end harassment based on sexual orientation and to make Iowa a better place to live, grow and work for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. She will attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Michael Tallon has been an active force in changing the Quad Cities area. As leader of the youth division of Quad Citians Affirming Diversity, Michael has organized events like the Day of Silence for the Quad Cities area. Through his work with Quad Citians Affirming Diversity, and by coming out, Michael has reduced homophobia in the Quad Cities area. Michael plans to remain active in LGBT activism; he hopes to organize Gay-Straight Alliance groups throughout high schools and colleges. He will attend the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

Heather Walker came out against all odds at a conservative Lutheran High School. Her secret was quickly broadcast and weekly chapel services soon focused on the sin of homosexuality. Amidst humiliation, Heather was told to leave. She transferred at the end of her freshman year to Waterloo West High School. The welcome was also less than warm; she received notes in her locker, was pushed in the hallway and had books knocked from her hands. She hoped for a change, but nothing did. Heather says, "just when i thought nothing could get worse, things got worse. i was approached by four men and beaten to the point where my jaw was broken in two places." In addition to being instrumental in launching the GSA, Heather led classroom discussions at West High School and Hawkeye Community College. Heather plans to remain an active leader by not letting a teachable moment pass and by continuing to advocate for legislative changes. She will attend the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

The Matthew Shepard Scholarship is named in memory of Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming college student who was kidnapped in 1998, savagely beaten and left to die tied to a fence in freezing temperatures at the edge of town because he was gay.   The Scholarship honors openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Iowa high school students who work to promote tolerance and non-discrimination in their schools and communities.

The annual Iowa Pride Network Awards will recognize the best high school Gay-Straight Alliance and the best college LGBT group in Iowa and members of the Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus will sing under the direction of Artistic Director Rebecca Gruber.

The Matthew Shepard Scholarship Awards Dinner is open to the press, and interviews with scholarship recipients or scholarship committee members may be scheduled by calling 515/473-0002 or 515/262-0000.

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