By Alan Lytle
Lexington, KY – A local gay rights group is a finalist for a $10,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh campaign.
Lexington Fairness hopes to use the money to expand, Project Speak Out, an anti-bullying initiative in area middle and high schools. Craig Cammack, board chair of Lexington Fairness, says the group plans to partner with the national Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (also known as Glisten), to train volunteers who in turn will work with students, educators, and administrators to reduce and prevent youth bullying and suicides.
"How to deal with students when they may come to you and say, hey, I'm really being bullied, what should I do? Providing them resources. Or whether they're at home being threatened to be kicked out because they've come out of the closet. All of those type of issues, because really, having at least one if not a handful of school staff allies; someone on staff that a student feels comfortable going to for help with these issues."
The Pepsi Refresh program rewards groups and individuals who submit community-oriented proposals to "refresh the world". The top 15 winning ideas, as voted on by the public, get $10,000 each from the soft drink company.