2007 POINT SCHOLARS

Derrick Clifton

Loyola University Chicago

Journalism

Born in Chicago, IL, Derrick is a product of a family composed of many Baptist ministers and other pious individuals. His academic and personal journey led him to Walter Payton College Prep, a highly selective, top-ranked Illinois high school and an environment he believed would be more accepting of his queer identity.

Facing harassment and ostracism from students after he arrived, Derrick was unpleasantly surprised. Coupled with anxiety over his family’s response before coming out, he suffered from severe panic attacks. It was not long before Derrick decided to fight back. Capitalizing on his strength as a novice coach and captain of his school’s nationally competitive debate team, he took a leadership role in his school’s Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) and helped organize a Day of Silence, LGBT social gatherings and educational screenings of LGBT documentaries. More recently, Derrick successfully spearheaded an awareness campaign at his school against the FDA’s ban on blood donation for males sexually active with other males. He finds comfort in knowing his high school is a safer environment for LGBT students than it was when he arrived, and that he now has the support of a few relatives.

Derrick is an undergraduate at Loyola University in Chicago, IL. He intends to utilize his academic background to obtain a leadership role within organizations committed to transforming the social and legal landscape of the LGBT community.