Scholarship

 BARBARA GITTINGS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

BY

DR. JAMES D’ORTA AND

DELAWARE STONEWALL DEMOCRATIC CLUB

FOR

GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, OR TRANSGENDER

DELAWARE COLLEGE STUDENTS

The Delaware Stonewall Democratic Club thanks Dr. James D’Orta for his 

involvement and support of the Delaware Stonewall Democrats and 

for creating and supporting this scholarship program.  

 SCHOLARSHIP  
  • For Delaware students going to Delaware Colleges and Universities
  • Student can be attending either 2 or 4 year college as an undergraduate
  • Applicant must provide proof of performing Community Service
  • Preference will be for freshmen students 21 years old and under
  • $2000 in scholarships will be awarded by Dr. James D’Orta and Delaware Stonewall Democratic Club (Barbara Gittings Memorial Scholarship Fund).
  • Student must fill out application and provide a written paragraph about their plans for the future, how they are handling their sexual orientation, and why they need a scholarship.  This should include what has been their life experiences about coming out to their family and friends
  • All Applications are due by March 31st of the application year
  • Applicants must provide 3 references or letters of recommendation
  • The Scholarship package should be submitted with a cover letter and mailed to PO Box 1024, Rehoboth Beach Delaware, 19971

An announcement of the availability of the scholarships will be sent to Delaware newspapers and guidance counselors. A committee of 3 of the Delaware Stonewall Democratic Club will review applications and make recommendations to the Board.  

Please click below to download an application for the scholarship.  

download BARBARA GITTINGS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Application  

(PDF file, Adobe Acrobat required to view)  

 

About Barbara Gittings

Barbara Gittings (1932-2007), who died at the age of 74 after a lengthy battle with breast cancer, first came to the public spotlight in 1965 when she and a handful of gay men and lesbians held demonstrations outside the White House and Independence Hall seeking equal rights for homosexuals. However, this was not her first involvement in the gay rights movement.  In the late 1950s she helped organize the New York City chapter of the Daughters of Bilitis (D.O.B.). Her other accomplishments include:

  • Editor for the Daughter’s of Bilitis publication THE LADDER
  • Co-author of The Gay Crusaders (1973)
  • Head of the American Library Association’s Gay Task Force.
  • She was an active member of the campaign that led to the American Psychiatric Association dropping its categorization of homosexuality as a mental illness in 1973.
  • She received a Leadership Award in 2005from the Publishing Triangle

Barbabra Gittings was survived by her life partner of 46 years, Kay Lahusen, whom she met while forming the D.O.B.