The high price to pay for higher education remains a hot item on the political landscape.
Meanwhile, gay marriage also continues to be a controversial topic throughout America.

As News 25's Michelle Mantel reports, a gay friendly organization is helping ease some tension by touching on both topics Saturday in Peoria.

These days it's hard to get a plate of food for your family...let alone money to pay tuition for a child's education.
During the 8th annual Acorn Equality Fund Family Breakfast, you had to pay $25 but the cost of the ticket is chump change compared to the scholarships GLBT students have been receiving for the past 8years.

One Founders of the Acorn Equality Fund is Scott Quinn. He said, "I think that being able to provide a couple thousand dollars to help the students in a time when higher education costs are just going up and so it's a great thing and for students to be able to come and apply for and realize that there's a community out there that could support them in their coming out process I think that's a great thing."

It's especially a great thing for the Reneau family who will eventually have to pay for its children's education.
Rob and his partner Eric have been together for 13 years and say they enjoy going to the scholarship luncheon each year..
A contrast from the news people have been hearing throughout the past weeks.

"It's definitely on the eyes of the nation now with the reversal of proposition 8 and taking away rights that people did have but then you go to an event today and you see the changes that are being made", said Reneau.

Changes that will certainly pay off for scholarship recipient Bryan Asbury.

Asbury said, "It will also help me to travel to conferences to advocate some of my own personal research which is to benefit the gay and lesbian and trans gender community."

Those who attended the luncheon say they hope it will leave a positive mark on the GLBT community. Not only here in central Illinois but also through the state and the rest of the country.