Gay Iowa Student Will be Honored at Award Ceremony

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A Catholic bishop and a group that promotes equal rights for gays and lesbians have agreed to present a college scholarship to a gay student during an award ceremony.

Bishop Martin Amos in Davenport and the Eychaner Foundation announced the agreement Friday to present the Matthew Shepard Scholarship to Keaton Fuller at Prince of Peace Catholic School in Clinton.

The bishop had overruled school officials, saying the foundation couldn't present the scholarship at the May 20 ceremony because the group's support for gay rights conflicts with church doctrine.

Under the agreement, the diocese's school superintendent will read a script by the foundation, and a scholarship committee member will present the award.

Fuller supports the agreement.

The scholarship is worth up to $40,000. Fuller will attend the University of Iowa.