"This is our direct response to the election," Dru Project board president Sara Grossman told The Advocate in an interview. "For many queer youth, staying in their home state is challenging, if not outright dangerous. We're giving priority to applicants from red states, hoping to create pathways to success for those who may feel trapped in areas with limited support and affirming resources."
Grossman noted that while any LGBTQ+ young person is still welcome to apply for the scholarship, priority will be given to applicants in red states, where many face heightened discrimination and barriers to acceptance. "The [political] shift that is coming is huge," Grossman said.
With mounting legal and social pressures in conservative regions, the organization hopes this pivot will help LGBTQ+ youth find affirming educational environments away from home, where anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment and restrictive laws can limit their ability to live openly and authentically.
The change comes as 2024 saw a record 532 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced across the U.S., with conservative lawmakers targeting transgender rights, gender expression, and inclusive education, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, which is tracking these measures.
Collection
[
|
...
]