FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Corri Planck
(323) 848-8804
Photo attached
Youth Activist Will Be Recognized with Fisher Davenport Award at 10th Annual
Provincetown Event
June 30, 2005 -- WASHINGTON, DC – The Family Pride Coalition and COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) have announced that Sol Kelley-Jones will be honored for her contributions to LGBT families during Family Pride’s 10th annual Family Week in Provincetown, Mass., July 30-Aug. 6.
Kelley-Jones will receive the fifth annual Fisher Davenport Award for Outstanding Contributions to Our Families, named in honor of Family Week founders Tim Fisher and Scott Davenport and presented by Family Pride and COLAGE.
An 18-year-old activist from Madison, Wisconsin, Kelley-Jones is the daughter of lesbian moms. At the age of 10, she testified before the Wisconsin State Legislature on the issue of marriage equality. Since then, she has continued her work for equality by speaking before state legislators, city council members and the Madison Metropolitan School Board on a range of issues, from second-parent adoption to benefits for domestic partners. She became a charter member of the national board of COLAGE at 11, and founded the Madison chapter.
“We are thrilled to be honoring Sol,” said Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Pride Coalition. “She exemplifies how one individual truly can fundamentally change the world for the better. Her voice and commitment shows how real families and real facts can sway public debate. Family Pride applauds Sol’s activism and hard work.”
“COLAGE is very proud to join Family Pride Coalition in honoring Sol Kelley-Jones with the 2005 Fisher Davenport Award,” said Beth Teper, executive director of COLAGE. “Reflecting the energy and warmth of her name, Sol is an inspirational leader for the millions of us who have one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender parents, as well as for anyone seeking to bring about peace and justice. COLAGE celebrates Sol as she continues to blaze a trail for human rights with a torch of love, honesty and hope.”
“I am deeply honored to be receiving the Fisher Davenport Award from Family Pride and COLAGE,” Kelley-Jones said. “I love the queer family community, our freedom from gender restrictions, our great passion for justice and equality for all, and our courage to live life honestly, even when it is scary. For millions of young people like me, queer culture is our home. We thank our parents for the gift of this beautiful and liberating world.
“As I’ve grown up, I’ve also seen LGBT families denied basic civil rights. Too often people in political power stand against the door of justice, trying as hard as they can to keep it shut,” she said. “In my life, I've committed to showing them who is behind that door. It’s nobody scary. It is young people like me and beautiful families like each of ours.”
Kelley-Jones has also created numerous education programs, including a multicultural education program to teach students about LGBT people and families; a diversity and anti-harassment campaign and teacher in-service trainings. In 2000, she founded Proud Theater, an award-winning, queer-themed youth theater troupe. That same year, she also spoke from the main stage of the Millennium March on Washington, the fourth national LGBT civil rights march. For her work, Kelley-Jones has been honoured by the Wisconsin ACLU, Pridefest Milwaukee, GLSEN, Teen People Magazine, Rainbow Families of Wisconsin, the Madison Metropolitan School District and the Rotary Club of Madison.
Family Week activities include workshops and social activities for parents and their children. The Family Pride Coalition has again invited COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) to offer social and educational programming for youth nine years and older. Some of the additional adventures include whale-watching tours, barbecues, beach parties, a family parade and a family dance.
Advance registration for both events is $150 per family. On-site registration will be $175. Registration forms are available online at www.familypride.org or by calling (202) 331-5015.
Corporate sponsors for Family Pride’s 10th annual Family Week include IBM, Capital One, Volvo Cars of North America, Growing Generations, Crew Creative Advertising, WALT DISNEY WORLD ® Resorts, Bay Windows, Cape Air, R Family Vacations and Q Television.
The Family Pride Coalition is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to securing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents and their families.