Tell Us Your Story
Have a great story? We'd like to share it with others in the LGBT community.
Tell UsIan Feis
Ian is a Pride Foundation scholar and was instrumental in starting the Gay/Straight Alliance at his high school.
Ian Feis
“I am attending Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR where I am studying Biochemistry/Molecular Biology as my plan is to go to medical school and become a physician. Ultimately I would love to start a clinic that is geared towards LGBT youth. I feel strongly that our education system leaves LGBT students far behind and doesn’t cover issues to allow them to make safe and healthy decisions. Also, I would like to get involved and influence our sexual education systems in the United States to be one that is more educational and fully inclusive of ALL students. I can’t even believe we call it an “education” because it’s a system based on not educating students. I would change it to a fully comprehensive system that includes LGBT people.
In middle school and high school being gay was very difficult. I had to constantly watch my actions and my words and be on careful guard of how they would be perceived. I then realized that this is ridiculous, I should not have to hide myself to fit into what others believe to be “right.” Once I got to Lewis and Clark I saw a completely different environment. I was no longer ostracized for being gay, but in turn I was embraced for my unique perception of the world.
That is a big reason that I am so grateful to be a Pride Foundation scholar. This scholarship did so much more than help fund my education, it got me out of my small town and opened my eyes to a large community that I had been so separate from. Everyday I walk through Portland eager to see what the city has to offer. I also know that there is a community of people that have faith that I will one day accomplish great things, and that is truly humbling.”
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