Answer: This daughter of a controversial conservative came out as a lesbian at an Equality Maryland event in 2005.
Question: Who is Maya Marcel-Keyes?
The right response could earn 200points in Gay Jeopardy, an annual event for the Columbia/Howard County chapter of PFLAG ?Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays.
The game, modeled after the popular television quiz show, tests players on gay history and culture, which advocates said is crucial to giving context to the gay community.
Many young people don?t know about the pivotal 1969 Stonewall riot in New York that led to the gay rights movement or how gay people faced losing their jobs or housing if their sexuality was discovered, chapter founder Colette Roberts said.
“A lot of people are not aware of how bad things were,” she said. “We need to look at it and see the progress.”
The county PFLAG group was created 12 years ago and focuses on support, education and advocacy. Meetings are open to everyone ? parents and youth, gay and straight, Roberts said.
This July marks the group?s third Gay Jeopardy game, created and hosted by the chapter?s media coordinator, Steve Charing.
The game has two rounds with topics such as Jock Straps for questions on gays in sports and Between the Covers for questions about books, Charing said. Winners receive prizes including movie passes or gift certificates.
Gay Jeopardy started as a fun way to share history, he said.
“It?s important to get that perspective,” he said.
For Perryn Morris, an 18-year-old member of the chapter?s Rainbow Youth Alliance who won the first game, the knowledge of history and culture gives him context of the community in which he belongs.
“It makes you feel good to know where you come from and what those like you are capable of doing,” he said. “And it?s fun.”
IF YOU GO
» What: Meeting of Columbia/Howard County chapter of PFLAG ? Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays
» When: 7:30 p.m. July 10
» Where:Owen Brown Interfaith Center in Columbia
