Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June with an incredible lineup of speakers who are ready to inspire, educate, and empower. As we recognize the importance of creating inclusive environments in schools, organizations, and businesses, it’s crucial to stay informed about the current LGBTQ+ community and its diverse members. By inviting these speakers to your next Pride event, you can ensure that you are providing the best support for your students and team members, regardless of how they identify.
Our list features a curated selection of renowned LGBTQ+ speakers, including famous personalities, emerging leaders, and passionate advocates. They bring a wealth of knowledge and personal experiences, covering a wide range of topics suitable for any audience. Here are just a few themes that these exceptional speakers can address:
- Pride: Embrace the spirit of Pride as these speakers share stories of resilience, acceptance, and self-love. They will inspire your audience to celebrate their authentic selves and foster an inclusive community that values diversity.
- Identity & Representation: Explore the complexities of LGBTQ+ identities and the importance of representation in media, arts, and society. These speakers will shed light on the unique experiences and challenges faced by individuals within the community, fostering empathy and understanding.
- Allyship & Inclusion: Learn how to be a supportive ally and create inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. These speakers will provide practical strategies, tools, and insights to help your audience become effective allies and champions for equality.
- Overcoming Adversity: Hear stories of triumph over adversity as these speakers share their personal journeys of navigating discrimination, prejudice, and social barriers. Their resilience and determination will inspire your audience to overcome obstacles and embrace their own strength.
- Leadership: Discover the qualities that make effective LGBTQ+ leaders. These speakers will discuss leadership skills, strategies for success, and the importance of diverse representation in leadership positions.
- Mental Health: Address the unique mental health challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. These speakers will offer valuable insights, resources, and coping mechanisms to promote emotional well-being and foster supportive environments.
And much more! The range of topics covered by our LGBTQ+ speakers ensures that there is something for everyone. By inviting these individuals to share their stories and expertise, you can create an unforgettable Pride event that fosters inclusivity, education, and celebration.
Let this Pride Month be a time to learn, grow, and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels valued, accepted, and free to be their authentic selves.
M Abeo: Mental Health Advocate & Creator of the Faces of Fortitude Movement
M Abeo (they/them) is a Mental Health Advocate, Speaker, Podcast host, Producer and Photographer + Creator of the Faces of Fortitude movement. The movement began as a project consisting of a series of portraits documenting the healing of those affected by suicide. In just 3 years it has grown into a movement that consists of TEDx and other public speaking events, traveling gallery exhibits, the Face to Faces Podcast, portrait sessions and two upcoming books.
Kat Blaque: YouTube Star & Activist
Kat Blaque is an Animator, Illustrator and Youtuber from Southern California who has been openly blogging about her life for the past 10+ years on Youtube. Experiencing the ups and downs of New Media, she has ultimately concluded that Social Media is a powerful force for change and awareness. She currently uses her platforms on Youtube (373k subscribers), Facebook (188k with an average weekly reach of 22,634,772 people) to speak about the topics she’s passionate about as well as spread information, and cultivate conversations that encourage education across intersections.
Laila Ireland: Transgender Veteran & Activist
Veteran Laila Ireland courageously came out as a transgender service member by sharing her story in the Emmy-nominated short film “Transgender, at War and in Love.” Today, Laila advocates for LGBTQIA equity by speaking across the country and establishing safe spaces for this critical conversation.
Geena Rocero: Transgender Fashion Model & Activist
Geena Rocero, born and raised in Manila, Philippines, is a Model, Public Speaker, Producer, Trans Rights Advocate and co-host of the 2017 Webby Awards honoree TV Show ASPIREist, broadcasted on HLN/CNN.
Dylan Marron: Creator & Host, Conversations with People Who Hate Me Podcast
Dylan Marron is an IFP Gotham Award & Drama Desk-nominated writer, performer, and video maker. He is the voice of Carlos on the hit podcast Welcome to Night Vale, an alum of the New York Neo Futurists, and the creator of Every Single Word (Tumblr’s “Most Viral Blog” of 2015; Shorty Award Nominee), a video series that edits down popular films to only feature the words spoken by people of color.
Ben O’Keefe: Social Change Activist, Film Executive, Host of “Anti-Racism at Work”
Ben O’Keefe is a social change activist, political commentator, and Head of Diversity & Impact Production at Creator+, a film studio and streaming platform for digital-first storytellers.
Skyler Jay: From Netflix’s “Queer Eye”
Skyler is a vivacious transgender activist. He has worked within, and outside of the LGBTQIA+ community for more than a decade to increase visibility, growth, and opportunity for the Transgender community.
Bob the Drag Queen: Winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Comedian & TV Personality
Bob The Drag Queen is having a moment. A major moment! The alter ego of non-binary comic/actor Caldwell Tidicue, “Bob The Drag Queen” describes herself as “hilarious, beautiful, talented and…humble.” Bob’s unabashed confidence won her the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” on season 8 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and multiple acting roles for HBO, Netflix, Sony Tristar, MTV, and VH1.
Megan Rapinoe: Two-time World Cup Champion and co-captain of the US Women’s National Soccer Team
A vocal leader on and off the pitch, Megan helped lead the USWNT to the 2019 Women’s World Cup Championship scoring some of the biggest goals of the tournament. Megan took home the tournament’s two top honors – the Golden Boot for top scorer, and the Golden Ball for the best player in the tournament. Megan is an advocate for equality for all, and has been able to intersect her passion for humanity and authenticity.
Sherry Cola: Comedian, Actress, and Writer
Comedian, actress, writer, and prodigious talent Sherry Cola has emerged over the last couple of years as a rising star in the entertainment industry. Named a “Fresh Face” at the world-renowned Laugh Factory, “One to Watch” by People magazine, and “11 Asian American Comics Who Need To Be On Your 2020 Radar” by Entertainment Weekly, Cola has shown creative expertise in diverse roles, from scripted drama and comedy to hilarious, original stand-up sets on stage. Cola stars on Freeform’s critically acclaimed series Good Trouble, which debuted its third season in 2021.
Shane Feldman: Keynote Speaker, TV Host, Entrepreneur
Shane helps leaders build better relationships and create engaged communities. He’s traveled the world, researching universal strategies that allow companies to attract, empower and retain high performing teams and loyal customers. Shane’s high-energy, customized keynotes are a compilation of unforgettable travel stories and tangible takeaways participants can immediately apply.
Vivienne Ming: LGBQTIA Keynote Speaker, Professional Mad Scientist Co-Founder & CEO, Socos Labs
Ming is a top theoretical neuroscientist, top entrepreneur speaker, and author. She co-founded Socos Labs, her fifth company, an independent think tank exploring the future of human potential. She launched Socos Labs to combine her varied work with that of other creative experts and expand their impact on global policy issues, both inside companies and throughout our communities. Ming is transgender and speaks frequently on issues of LGBT inclusion and gender in technology.
Jason Collins: First Active Gay Player in the NBA
Jason Collins, an All-American player at Stanford University, began his NBA career with the New Jersey Nets in 2001. He played a significant role in the team’s first-ever NBA Finals appearance in 2002. The following season, he became the Nets’ starting center and helped lead the team back to the NBA Finals, securing a $25 million contract extension through 2008. He was later traded to the Memphis Grizzlies before playing with the Timberwolves, Celtics, and Wizards over the next five seasons. In 2013, Collins made history as the first NBA player to publicly come out as gay. A year later, he signed with the Brooklyn Nets, becoming the first openly gay player in the NBA.
Kal Penn is a multi-talented individual known for his work as an actor, writer, and producer. With notable roles in TV shows and films, he has showcased his versatility and talent. In addition to his entertainment career, Penn has also been involved in public service, serving in the Obama/Biden administration and working on important issues. He has contributed to the literary world as an author and continues to make a significant impact through his various endeavors.
