Groups Seek To Increase Gay Black Politicians

"More than 400 openly gay officials are serving their communities across America, but just a handful of these individuals are African-American. We hope to change that. The strength of our democracy depends on leadership that reflects all Americans," Wolfe said in a statement.

Dr. Desiree Selma Pedescleaux, president of NCOBPS, emphasized that the work of political scientists is vital to equalizing governmental representation.

"Acquiring quality data is always the first step in solving complex issues. We hope this award leads to scholarship that helps the African-American LGBT community realize its leadership potential in electoral politics."

The award is named after Bayard Rustin, the openly gay, African-American civil rights pioneer who organized the historic 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, at which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.