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Pilot-Scholarships Offered
To Gays and LesbiansThe National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) recently announced a new scholarship program for members of the Gay and Lesbian community seeking a career as a pilot. Two scholarships will be awarded by Sept. 1, 1998, both for $1,500.
"Piloting is one of the last strongholds of homophobia", said Ron Swanda, Executive Director of the NGPA. "And the best way to change that sad fact is to bring more Gays and Lesbians into this career field. Many NGPA members have found great satisfaction in their choice of piloting as a career, and they want to encourage other Gays and Lesbians to do the same."
"The time is right for starting a career as a pilot," Swanda continued. "A record number of new pilots were hired in 1997, and many airlines and other aviation businesses now have anti-discrimination policies which address sexual orientation. Some have announced domestic partner benefits for all employees. More Gays and Lesbians should take advantage of these superb career opportunities!"
The deadline for scholarship application is July 31, 1998. Application forms and additional information can be obtained by writing to NGPA-EF, P.O. Box 2010-324, South Burlington, VT 05407-2010, or by calling NGPA at 703.660.3852. information is also available on the NGPA web site at www.ngpa.org. The scholarships can be used to pay tuition or flight training costs incurred by student pilots enrolled at a college or university offering an accredited aviation curriculum, such as air science, aerospace, aerodynamics, engineering or airport management.
Scholarships can also be applied toward the flight training costs incurred in a professional pilot training program at any training facility certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. However, the scholarships cannot be used to pay or the training needed for a Private Pilot license.
Funds have already been secured for this year's scholarships, and funds are in-hand to ensure future scholarship awards as well. However, additional donations to the NGPA Education Fund would help increase the amount and number of the annual awards. As the Internal Revenue Service has granted the NGPA Education Fund status as a 501(c)(3) corporation, donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Incorporated in 1994, the NGPA is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization whose goals are to: encourage Gays and Lesbians to begin piloting careers; provide an affirming social and professional network; promote aviation safety; and foster equal treatment of Gay and Lesbian pilots.
Each quarter, NGPA members receive a 32-page magazine, the NGPA News, and a monthly E-mail newsletter. The magazine and newsletter feature articles about Gays and Lesbians in aviation, aviation safety, aviation job discrimination issues, advertisements for aviation jobs, and personal ads from other pilots. NGPA hosts annual events in Key West, Palm Springs and Provincetown, and several other locations in conjunction with major aviation air shows and conventions.
The NGPA is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has an active membership of over 500 pilots from nearly every state and seven other countries. Annual dues are $35, and a special discounted membership of $10 is offered to full-time college students and full-time flight instructors. Many NGPA members work as Captains and First Officers for the scheduled airlines and corporate flight departments. Still others are private pilots, flying smaller aircraft for business or recreation. However, NGPA membership is open to anyone, including non-pilots or aviation aficionados.
Michael Will Face One Charge
The Los Angeles County, California District Attorney's office announced Apr. 16 that prosecution will proceed against Gay British singer-songwriter George Michael on one count of misdemeanor lewd conduct; another misdemeanor charge of indecent exposure was dropped. Michael has been free on $500 bail since his arrest by an undercover police officer in a men's room in a Beverly Hills park on Apr. 7. An arraignment hearing has been scheduled in Beverly Hills Municipal Court for May 5, where indications are that Michael will plead guilty. Although the maximum penalty for the offense is six months in jail and a $ 1,000 fine, a more typical sentence for a first conviction is a $250 fine, community service hours, one or two years' probation - and an order to stay away from the park.
Grammy winner Michael, formerly half of the 1980's duo WHAM!, used the occasion of his highly-publicized arrest to publicly identify himself as a Gay man in a CNN interview. After years of tap-dancing around the question, he said he had not been involved with a woman in ten years and had been involved with men since 1991. According to a "Gossip" item in the tabloid National Enquirer, Michael's current partner, Kenny Goss, said the singer "is just glad to get it all off his chest. He just wants to get on with his life now." But the same item has the father of Michael's great love, the late Brazilian designer Anselmo Feleppa, suffering terribly over the publicity, although even he says, "I can't deny George and my son had a relationship."
Beachfest '98
Is One Hot Summer Date!Daytona Beach is not a Gay and Lesbian "backwash" any more! The city's Business Guild is in its sixth year and its fifth Beachfest is hot on the horizon.
BEACHFEST '98 is scheduled for Aug. 21-23 on the "world's most famous beach" with most of the activity set for host hotel, the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort (1.800.767.4471).
With an estimated 15,000 in attendance last year, the sponsoring Guild is gearing up to welcome at least 20,000 for the long, hot weekend of sunbathing, cruising, volleyball games, greeting old friends, meeting new ones, partying and networking.
Kurt White, a Guild director and chairman of the event, said arrangements are being made for a Fri. Night Reception, Pool parties, a Sunday Brunch, entertainment, beach games and a lot of other activities.
"BEACHFEST '98 is the place to be Aug. 21-23. Gays and Lesbians will want to mark their calendar now as well as make room reservations and get in on all the action with the Guild's Registration Packet," White said.
Daytona Beach Area Convention & vistors Bureau (1.800.854.1234); The Guild's voice mail: 904.322.800; website:www.daytonabeachfest.com. Snail mail to: Business Guild, P.O. Box 263148, Daytona Beach, FL 32126-3248.
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