On Saturday, October 13, 2018 more than 400 guests and celebrities filled the Beverly Hilton Hotel to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students at Point Honors Los Angeles. Point Foundation (Point), the evening’s beneficiary, is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students of merit; currently assisting 97 scholarship recipients.
At the gala, actor Eric McCormack – beloved by audiences for many roles, especially ‘Will’ in the Emmy Award recognized hit “Will & Grace” – received the Point Impact Award. Actor and singer-songwriter Cheyenne Jackson presented the award to McCormack for his efforts to impact and significantly improve the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) plus allied community. Steven Canals, writer, Co-Creator, and Co-Executive Producer of the acclaimed FX Series “POSE,” received the Point Horizon Award. Best-selling author and advocate Janet Mock presented the award to Canals, which is given to a trailblazer who has taken a leadership role as an advocate of the LGBTQ community.
Both McCormack and Canals used their acceptance speeches to send inspiring messages of support and encouragement to Point Foundation’s LGBTQ scholarship recipients and alumni, a number of whom were in the audience.
In an encouraging demonstration of support for LGBTQ students, not only did Point exceed its $400,000 fundraising goal but the evening also featured an announcement that Creative Artists Agency (CAA) would begin underwriting a new Point Foundation Scholarship in 2019. For Jorge Valencia, Executive Director and CEO of Point Foundation, the support of CAA, along with the many corporations and generous individuals who made Point Honors possible, is a message of encouragement that will bring much hope to LGBTQ students. Congratulations to the award recipients and students that will receive scholarships to help secure their vision, dreams, and goals.
About Point Foundation: Point Foundation empowers promising LGBTQ students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential – despite the obstacles often put before them – to make a significant impact on society. Since 2002, Point has awarded more than 400 scholarships. The Foundation promotes change through scholarship funding, mentorship, leadership development and community service training. www.pointfoundation.org
Photos Courtesy: “Getty Images for Point Foundation”
