Words and images do matter, Lester Aleman '07 explains

I proudly volunteer as GLAAD's national chair of young adults initiatives at the annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. You see, the fight for equality is only half the battle. What I have the pleasure of doing is bringing approximately 1,500 young adults to the show to gain empowerment. The GLAAD Media Awards Young Adults Program offers a momentary respite for these young people to be themselves. Young adults are able to meet some of their favorite LGBT-supportive celebrities, learn about LGBT organizations at our resource fair and watch the amazing awards show free of charge. The end of every show brings me pleasure, but also sadness. Sadness because these young adults might return to homes that are unaccepting, schools that don't have the tools to properly support them and to communities that will look down on them like second-class citizens. I can only hope that they have other places of respite.