JONA CLARKE LEE OF READING HONORED FOR MAKING IT BETTER NOW FOR LGBTQ YOUTH IN SCHOOL

Greater Boston PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer people) is proud to announce that Reading Memorial High School senior Jona Clarke Lee is the recipient of the 2015 Elsie Frank Scholarship Award. Since 1998, Greater Boston PFLAG has awarded scholarships to high school students who have improved their school climate for LGBTQ youth and their allies and whose actions have created greater support and acceptance of LGBTQ youth.

Extremely active in school, Jona is Vice President of the Reading Memorial High School Haven for Hunger Club, a volunteer organization that prepares and serves meals at a homeless shelter, as well as the lead makeup artist for the high school Drama Club. A member of the Reading Memorial High School Gay Straight Alliance since freshman year, Jona has taken on the role of President for the past two years, taking on the responsibilities of planning meetings and activities for the club. Jonas also participates in numerous meetings and conferences hosted by GLSEN, GLAAD and the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ students. According to Jona, “My goals are to create a happy and safe environment for everybody, and I feel like a lot of progress has been made.”

“On behalf of Greater Boston PFLAG, we are honored to recognize Jona for making a significant difference in the lives of LGBTQ students,” said Greater Boston PFLAG President Tom Bourdon. “Jona’s dedication, motivation and passion are making it better now for LGBTQ youth and we commend Jona for making LGBTQ causes a priority in school and in the community.”

Jona will be honored together with nine other scholarship recipients from around the state at Greater Boston PFLAG’s Pride & Passion Benefit and Auction to support Greater Boston PFLAG’s work in creating safe school and family environments for LGBTQ youth. Attracting hundreds of attendees, the event is also recognizing Representative Joe Kennedy III and Jason Collins, the first openly gay NBA player, for their commitment to changing hearts and minds, and making environments safer for LGBTQ people.

Pride & Passion will be held May 11, 2015 at the Seaport World Trade Center. For tickets and information, visit www.gbpflag.org/prideandpassion or call 781-891-5966.

About Greater Boston PFLAG

Greater Boston PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer people) is dedicated to fostering LGBTQ-inclusive families, schools and communities through support, education and advocacy. For over 21 years, Greater Boston PFLAG has provided award-winning, highly effective bullying and violence prevention services. Each year, Greater Boston PFLAG delivers over 200 educational programs statewide, reaching over 15,000 people in middle and high schools, religious organizations, colleges, corporations, and at conferences for healthcare, counseling, and prevention specialists. Greater Boston PFLAG helps change attitudes and creates an environment of understanding so that LGBTQ family members and friends can live in a world that is safe and inclusive.