SpeakingOUT
Founded in 2000, SpeakingOUT is an all-volunteer, Boulder based lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) educational speakers bureau whose aim is to cultivate awareness and understanding of LGBTQ lives and experiences. SpeakingOUT’s mission is to use public speaking as a means of creating positive cultural change. SpeakingOUT believes honest and open dialogue can help in creating a world free of homo-bi-trans-phobia. SpeakingOUT provides audiences with a safe and supportive environment in which they can ask candid questions and learn about LGBTQ experiences. SpeakingOUT hopes that such an opportunity will prompt audience members to evaluate the validity of the perceptions and beliefs they may have regarding who GLBTQ persons are and how they live their lives.
In spring 2006, SpeakingOUT became one of Boulder Pride’s programs. The mission of Boulder Pride is to cultivate a visible, inclusive, and empowered lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ) community in order to achieve equality, respect and well-being for all LGBTQ people in Boulder County. Since 2000, SpeakingOUT has operated in partnership with several supportive local organizations and will continue to do so going forward into the future. SpeakingOUT operates in partnership with the following organizations: PFLAG-Boulder, BCPH/OASOS, Boulder Valley Safe Schools Coalition, Boulder County AIDS Project, and the University of Colorado GLBTQQI Resource Center.
Who's iN SpeakingOUT?
Our membership includes more than 50 speakers who represent a broad range of ages, backgrounds, experiences, and sexual and gender identities. Currently, we are seeking ways to diversify our membership further by reaching out to communities of color and other underrepresented voices in the LGBTQ community.
Where does SpeakingOUT go to speak?
While the majority of SpeakingOUT engagements are in high school and college classes, we also speak in other group settings including businesses, churches, synagogues, youth groups, and community service organizations.
What typically happens at a speaking engagement?
All speaking engagements begin with the lead speaker briefly introducing the SpeakingOUT program. Then, each speaker takes five to six minutes to tell his/her own personal story. Speakers discuss how they came to understand and accept their sexual orientation and/or gender identity; how they’ve “come out” to their families, friends, and coworkers; how they’ve fallen in love and raised families; how they’ve worked; and how they’ve lived their lives. The panel of speakers then engages in a question and answer session with audience members, which is where the real dialogue and learning takes place. We typically have three to four speakers at each engagement. Because every gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender person is different, no two speakers will say quite the same things. Thus, we show in person how very diverse we are as a group, and how we hold a wide range of social and political views.
What do audiences ask about?
Common topics of conversation include the coming out process, family relations, same-sex marriage and adoption, hate crimes, gays in the media, homo-bi-transphobia, dating and relationships, and the local climate for LGBTQ persons. Some commonly asked questions are: “What do your children think about you being gay?” “What are the obstacles you face in getting married?” “How do you reconcile being gay and being Christian?” “What does your wife think about you cross-dressing?” “What is it like to go through sexual reassignment surgery?” “Can you legally adopt children?” “Do you have a good relationship with your parents?” “How did your family and friends react when you came out?”
What can SpeakingOUT give to your class or organization?
Unfortunately, homo-bi-trans-phobia and other forms of prejudice are pervasive in American society. Even though the gay struggle for equality has made significant strides over the past 50 years, the LGBTQ community still encounters widespread discrimination. In many states, LGBTQ people lack adequate protection against hate-crimes, against sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in the workplace, and against discrimination in public housing and accommodations. By inviting SpeakingOUT to your classroom or community group, you can help create positive cultural change. We give a face and a name to the LGBTQ experience; we bring candor, energy, professionalism, and humor into our presentations; and we foster thought-provoking discussions on challenging and sensitive topics. Our speakers provide educational opportunities and open up space for genuine dialogue that theoretical knowledge or traditional group discussions just can’t duplicate.
How do I become a certified member with SpeakingOUT?
Whether you’ve never spoken in front of a crowd or you’ve been on the professional speaking circuit, SpeakingOUT invites you to join our team of volunteer speakers. Anyone interested in becoming an active speaker is required to attend our training session, which we hold annually. The training will inform you about program philosophy and objectives, explain guidelines and expectations regarding speaking engagements, and educate you about the latest social and political issues facing the LGBTQ community. You are also given the opportunity to practice telling your bio and answering sample questions, making sure you are comfortable sharing your life and experiences with a public audience. For information on booking a speaking engagement or becoming a certified speaker, please contact us at speakoutboulder@yahoo.com or kirsten@boulderpride.org, 303-499-5777.
Why is joining SpeakingOUT important?
There are many important reasons why being a member of SpeakingOUT is well worth your time. You can:
· make the oppression and discrimination of LGBTQ persons real
· help support those struggling with their sexual orientation and gender identity, by sharing your life and experiences publicly
· challenge harmful LGBTQ stereotypes and misconceptions through honest and constructive conversations
· meet members of your local community and make meaningful personal connections
· work towards creating a world free of homo-bi-trans-phobia and other forms of prejudice.