April 17, 2012; Source: Broadway World

The 2012 Point Honors New York gala this week raised $2 million to support higher education scholarships for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. Wells Fargo & Company committed $1.5 million to fund 10 Wells Fargo Point scholarships. NBC Universal also announced that it would provide $100,000 toward a four-year Point scholarship at the event, which also honored playwright Edward Albee and film company Focus Features.

The event benefited the Point Foundation, which partners with philanthropic individuals, corporations and foundations to supply financial support, mentorship, leadership training, and a network of contacts for LGBT undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students who are underprivileged and/or have been socially marginalized because of their gender orientation, expression or identity.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that LGBT youth “are more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience difficulties in their lives and school environments, such as violence.” This negatively impacts the education, health, and ultimately, the future of LGBT young people. Kudos to the Point Foundation and other similar organizations and their supporters for helping to alleviate the challenges unique to LGBT youth. –Erwin de Leon