[glbtq]

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to Accept Journalism Scholarship Applications Starting 1/15/2006

For More Information, visit www.thetaskforce.org/aboutus/messenger.cfm
after January 15, 2006.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force will begin accepting applications Jan. 15, 2006, for its Messenger-Anderson Journalism Internship/Scholarship Program for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. Self-identified LGBT undergraduate college students who plan to pursue a degree in journalism, communications or a related field at an accredited 4-year college or university are encouraged to apply.

The Messenger-Anderson Scholarship Award is $5,000 for the first year, followed by $2,500 each year for the next two years, bringing the award total to $10,000. Applicants must re-apply each year. Winners are required to participate in an 8-week Messenger-Anderson Scholarship Intern Program at the Task Force’s New York City office during the summer. The postmark deadline for applications is Feb. 24, 2006.

The Messenger-Anderson Scholarships allow students to hone their skills in several areas of communications practice. Responsibilities include writing and editing press releases, updating Web site materials, tracking and archiving news coverage of the Task Force, researching media opportunities and assisting with rapid response to breaking stories. Successful candidates should have strong communication skills, both written and oral; be prepared to work in a fast-paced, newsroom-like environment; and demonstrate a desire and commitment to work in a multicultural environment where commitment to diversity is an important institutional value.

Beginning Jan. 15, applications for 2006 can be downloaded at:
www.thetaskforce.org/aboutus/messenger.cfm

Women and people of color encouraged to apply. The Messenger-Anderson Scholarship was donated by Larry Messenger and Jim Anderson in memory of Lawrence and Selina Messenger. The Messengers believed that there was a pressing need to encourage LGBT people to become more involved in shaping media coverage. Fair coverage of LGBT issues insists upon the basic premise that we are all created equal; however, media coverage today often begins with the discriminatory notion that equality for LGBT people is somehow a matter for debate. By encouraging LGBT students to pursue journalism and by assisting them with their studies, the Task Force hopes to improve the way the LGBT community and movement are covered.