Kay Longcope Scholarship

Journalist Kay Longcope was co-founder of the statewide LGBTQ+ newsweekly, The Texas Triangle, and is generally regarded as the first out reporter at the Boston Globe newspaper. The pioneering Longcope started writing for the Globe in 1970 and was there for more than twenty years, including tenure as the paper’s religion editor. She died of pancreatic cancer on March 28, 2007.

The Kay Longcope Scholarship Award was established in 2008 through a gift from Longcope’s estate and with the guidance of Longcope’s partner Barbara Wohlgemuth. NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists is pleased to be home to this unique scholarship opportunity which furthers the vision of founder Leroy F. Aarons and moves forward his belief in the critical role diversity plays in the education of the next generation of newsroom leaders.

The scholarship award for 2024-2025 academic year will provide up to $3,000 tuition assistance to an LGBTQ+ student of color who plans a career in journalism and is committed to furthering NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists’ mission of fair and accurate coverage of the LGBTQ+ community.

Criteria

• Applicants must be LGBTQ+ individual of color planning to pursue a career in journalism and be able to demonstrate their passion and commitment to the profession. Selection will be based on journalistic and scholastic ability. Applicants also must demonstrate an awareness of the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of fair and accurate news coverage.
• For undergraduates, a declared major in journalism and communications is desirable but not required. Non-journalism majors may demonstrate their commitment to a journalism career through work samples, internships and work on a school newspaper, online news service or broadcast affiliate.
• Graduate students must be enrolled in a journalism program.
• Applicants must be NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists members in good standing.

Who Can Apply

• Current or incoming undergraduate students enrolled in a U.S. community college or four-year university. Proof of acceptance or current enrollment required.
• Current or incoming graduate students enrolled in an accredited journalism or mass communications field. Proof of acceptance or current enrollment required.

How to Apply

A complete application package should be submitted electronically. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application packages should include:

• Application.
• One-page résumé.
• Five work samples as described under work samples.
• Proof of attendance: a letter of acceptance or a letter of enrollment from a U.S. community college or four-year university (contact awards@nlgja.org for exceptions). Scanned copies accepted.
• Official transcript, scanned digital copies accepted. Please mail physical copies to: