The foundation offers academic scholarships to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender college students who have been marginalized because of their sexual orientation/gender identity and expression. In addition, these future leaders are given leadership training, and opportunities to network and grow professionally in ways they would not have. And we heard from many of them last night.

Hosted by out gay MSNBC anchor and journalist Thomas Roberts, attendees heard moving personal stories of success and opportunity from past Point scholars, and met this year’s class of meritorious students. The alumni also took the initiative to pay it forward, presenting a check to the Point Foundation for $25K to ensure that future scholars receive the same kind of generous support – financial, emotional, anda mentoring support — down the road.

The keynote address was given by actress, activist, and long-time LGBT advocate Judith Light, who delivered an emotional address, quoting her friend, the late writer Paul Monette, and describing her decades of support as a personal commitment– from the height of the AIDS crisis through today’s ongoing successes and challenges to achieve full equality.

You can join in and donate to Point here. Some photos from the event:

And I was finally able to meet Katie Miller. You might recall the former West Point cadet was one of the people on the front lines of the fight to repeal DADT, and participated in a liveblog at the Blend. She is also one of the Point Scholars. Congrats, Katie.

And I got a pic with Judith Light (of course my fave role of hers is the hard-as-nails Judge Elizabeth Donnelly on L&O: SVU).  Thank you for being such an ally.

As I post this, blogger Andy Towle is on his way; he will serve on the panel with me today (Sat). That is, of course, if weather at O’Hare cooperates. We’ve had some serious storms here.