Mike Rhoades It's Okay to be Gay Scholarship Fund

Coming out was not easy for Mike Rhoades. Growing up in a conservative family, he never considered the possibility that he could be gay. Because of a lack of openness and acceptance, he held his secret for 21 years. When he came out during his last year of college, he finally felt at ease. He felt like he could be himself for the first time in his life. And while it’s still not always easy with his family, the acceptance and comfort he feels today is far greater than the first two decades of his life. In order to encourage students like him to embrace who they are, Mike has created this scholarship fund to support gay male students as they pursue their educational ambitions.