CHARLOTTE, NC FEBRUARY, 16, 2009 – Campus Pride (www.campuspride.org) announced the recipients of its Voice & Action National Leadership Awards this weekend at the Midwest LGBT and Ally College Conference,the nations largest college conference for LGBT and ally student leaders, hosted at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.

Three students Justin Hager from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Celso Perez from Boston College and Shawna Scott from University of Georgia were chosen this year for the prestigious honor. The honorary recognition highlights the extraordinary contributions of lesbian, gay,bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally young adult leaders at colleges and universities across the United States.

"Campus Pride is proud to recognize these young adults and the work that is being done at colleges and universities throughout the country. Seldom do we recognize young people who are indeed changing hearts and minds and leading the way today for the future of equality. The Voice & Action Award finally gives visible national recognition where it has long been overdue," said Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride.

The first recipient Celso Perez, a senior at Boston College, has traveled to Geneva, Switzerland to be an intern at UNAIDS developing relevant technical and policy resources for the UNAIDS prevention website. In addition, the second recipient Shawna Scott, a senior at Univ. of Georgia, pushed for an initiative and received support from the University President to implement two policies that would add sexual orientation to the comprehensive non-discrimination policy as well as provide students faculty, and staff with soft domestic partner benefits. Lastly, the third recipient Justin Hager, a senior at University of Wisconsin-Madison, was an enlistee in the Soulforce Right to Serve campaign opposing “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” as well as being the Wisconsin coordinator, national fundraising liaison, and media liaison for the Equality Ride – a two month coach bus tour visiting college campuses which openly discriminate against LGBT people.

“The talent and commitment to the movement shown by all the applicants is the reason Campus Pride developed this national honor,” said Christopher Bylone, the head of the selection process and Campus Pride Q Team Coordinator. “These three young adults have gone above the call of duty expected of any student leader in our movement.”

According to Bylone, the three recipients were chosen from nearly thirty diverse, quality applicants from college campuses across the country. Each applicant completed an extensive process in the Fall of 2008 to be considered for the award including letters from peer leaders and faculty. The selection committee included student leaders, higher education professionals, corporate leaders and social justice advocates. Two of the recipients, Hager and Perez, were in attendance at the Midwest LGBT and Ally College Conference where they formally received the Voice & Action Award. The remaining student leader recipient, Scott, will receive the honor at the Northeast LGBT and Ally College Conference this April.

The Campus Pride national recognition included a free registration to attend the regional student conference of their choice. The award was made possible this year by corporate sponsors Cargill and Ernst & Young, LLC. In addition, each recipient received a free artist or speaker from OUTmedia, (www.outmedia.org) to bring to his/her campus the following academic year 2009-10. Artists and speakers included LZ Granderson, Team Gina, Vidur Kapur, Jason Stuart, Marga Gomez, Ari Gold, Eddie Sarfaty and Emanuel Xavier. OUTmedia is nationally known for its work in the arts as a queer cultural activist organization and social enterprise promoting LGBT and ally visibility.

"OUTmedia is proud to support Campus Pride and to have our diverse roster of speakers and artists pay tribute to young adult leaders in this special way. Our artists and speakers believe in promoting inclusion and multiculturalism – recognizing all aspects of our community," said Shelly Weiss, founder/owner of OUTmedia.

Windmeyer, said the Voice & Action National Leadership Award is meant to underscore the mission of Campus Pride – "to develop, support and give voice and action in building future LGBT and ally leaders." The award is bestowed upon individuals who use their "voice" to speak up and who take "action" to make a positive difference. Every academic year in the Spring, Campus Pride plans to honor outstanding young adult college students in each region of the country with the Voice & Action National Leadership Award.

To learn more about Campus Pride and to read profiles on each Voice & Action Award recipient, please visit online at www.campuspride.org/voiceandaction.asp or email info@campuspride.org.