Gay Teen Goes From Homeless to Creating LGBT Scholarship: WATCH

Seth Owen, whose parents first tried conversion therapy and then threw him on the street after realizing he was gay, had a teacher who established an LGBT scholarship that will help him afford college and now he’s paying it forward.

“I think the worst part about conversion therapy is that I so desperately wanted it to work,” Seth said.

Seth’s struggle with his sexuality left him feeling depressed and suicidal. Eventually, the conflicts at home came to a head when religious differences led to what Seth describes as an ultimatum from his parents: If he didn’t want to attend church, he would have to leave.

He found some hope for his future when Georgetown University accepted him into the Walsh School of Foreign Service. On his GoFundMe page, Seth explained that the university was able to make some adjustments to his financial aid package and the GoFundMe helped pay for costs that were otherwise not covered. 

Overwhelmed by the support, he began to think about how he could support other aspiring LGBTQ students who weren’t as lucky. He decided to start a scholarship fund called “Unbroken Horizons” to help other teens afford college or other career training.

Ellen DeGeneres heard about Seth’s idea and partnered with Cheerios to kick off his fundraising with a $25,000 donation, surprising him on her show.

He talks about his journey from the streets of Jacksonville, Florida to the hallowed halls of  Georgetown in Washington, D.C.

To learn more about Unbroken Horizons, click here. 

If you are a member of the LGBTQ community and are dealing with depression or suicidal thoughts, help is available. Get immediate assistance by calling the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or click here for more information and resources.