A scholarship for Simone

Today we had the honor of attending a scholarship awards luncheon for Simone while she heads back to school in Pittsburgh.

She got notice late last week that she'd been selected as one of four recipients of a scholarship from the Portland Area Business Alliance, the city's gay and lesbian chamber of commerce. If she couldn't attend, she could send someone on her behalf. Of course, we were delighted to represent.

We met several members of the scholarship committee and all were so gracious in offering congratulations and commenting on the strength of Simone's application. I know it means a lot to her as a self-described "queer Latina" to have won scholarships from both the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber and now PABA.

I got up to say a few remarks about Simone and noted that today was the third anniversary of being with her partner. Meanwhile, Simone's e-mailed remarks, written in the third person, cut to the chase:

"She is grateful to the Portland Area Business Association for their generous financial assistance, her family for their unconditional love and support, and her partner, Kyndall, for instilling in her the confidence to pursue her dreams."

Lori and I were inspired by the personal stories of the other recipients: two first-generation college students who come from Vietnamese and Hmong families and a third-year medical student who's studying to become a rural health practitioner. We were particularly touched by the young Hmong woman, a vivacious person who comes from a Southeast Asian "hill tribe" culture where formal education is rare and whose parents, sadly, have issues with her sexual identity.

The scholarship committee chairman, Michael Traylor, was especially warm in welcoming us to the event and told me that not all families are as supportive of their gay sons and daughters as we are. While the comment made me feel good, it also made me feel sad for those who don't have their family's support.

At this point, Simone and Kyndall are halfway across the country, intending to spend the night in Des Moines. Two more days to go, if my estimates are on the mark.