DECLAN NOLAN OF WAYLAND 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 Wayland High School senior Declan Nolan 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 both school and the community, Declan is President of the Wayland High School Alliance and is a peer leader for WAGLY (West Suburban Alliance of LGBTQ Youth) and Umbrella, a social support group for transgender youth. Declan is also a Greater Boston PFLAG speaker and has volunteered over 300 hours with WayCam, Wayland’s local access television station. “I try as best I can to reach out to those youth who might not want to admit that they are having a hard time and to provide resources to those who need them now,” said Declan. “In my life, I really want to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ youth, and show them that it can get better if we all work hard to make the world a more knowledgeable place.”

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

Declan 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.