2005 POINT SCHOLARS

Mónica Escobar

Georgetown University

Georgetown LGBT Alumni Point Scholar

Mónica Escobar was born in Fairfax, Virginia where she was raised by her conservative parents and attended a homophobic Catholic high school. Despite these obstacles, she graduated at the top of her class and now attends Georgetown University, where she was finally able to come out of the closet. Mónica is extremely active around campus, especially around LGBTQ issues. She is currently the Co-President of GU Pride, the LGBTQ club on campus, was co-facilitator of OUTSpoken, the queer support group, and is a student member of the LGBTQ Working Group. Last semester, Mónica interned at the Human Rights Campaign and initiated a student movement for an LGBTQ Resource Center on campus. Mónica is also very involved with diversity work on campus. She is in charge of a pre-orientation program meant to immerse freshmen in the basics of leadership, mentorship and activism around issues of diversity. She also served on student government for the last administration as a member of the Diversity and Religious Affairs Committee. Mónica hopes to become a university professor in Cultural or Sexuality Studies so she can continue to reach out to students, who she believes are a powerful source of change. She also wants to serve as a role model and inspiration for any young queer Latinas who may one day be in her classes.

In Monica’s own words: “Growing up, I would have given anything to see queer professors at the front of my classrooms. I want to be that professor for future students, the one that inspires the courage to come out and succeed.”