LGBTQIA+ (U)

With messages of acceptance, tolerance, and understanding, LGBTQ+ speakers will motivate and inspire your campus audiences. Our diversity speakers will challenge the individual to speak up and seek social justice in their own communities.

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LGBTQIA+
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LGBTQIA+

Billie Lee

<p>With humor and empathy, Billie Lee shares her unique story to help individuals and groups combat microaggressions, amplify authenticity, and bring awareness to the LGBTQIA+ community.</p><p>Billie Lee is a transgender woman, actor, standup comedian, writer, producer, and activist. LogoTV named Billie as a 2018 honoree of Logo30 for raising awareness for the trans community. She was the first openly transgender cast member on BravoTV’s<em> Vanderpump Rules</em> and she continues to be an advocate and outspoken voice for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Joanna Lohman

<p>Described by Billie Jean King as “a bold and dynamic force for good with the courage to fight for social justice, live authentically, and inspire others to do the same,” Joanna Lohman is committed to building a new generation of leaders who harness adversity as a catalyst for success.</p><p>Joanna Lohman is a former professional soccer player and member of the United States Women’s National Team. During her 16-year professional career, she built a platform for social impact and became the first player in Washington Spirit history to have her jersey retired.

Amber Briggle

<p>Amber Briggle (she/they) is a self-described “mamabear” of a transgender teen in Texas.</p><p>Amber and her family were investigated by the Texas Department of Family Protective Services for “child abuse” in 2022 after TX Gov. Greg Abbott directed the agency to open such cases against families like theirs.

Jessamyn Stanley

<p>Jessamyn Stanley is an award winning yoga instructor, founder of The Underbelly, and author of <em>Every Body Yoga</em> and <em>Yoke</em>. She empowers her audience of 500k+ to break down barriers: both those that society has set and that they have set for themselves. </p><p>Jessamyn&#39;s work in the wellness space centers around being in community and creating space for students to restore and honor their authentic selves.

C. Dixon Osburn

<p>C. Dixon Osburn is the Executive Director of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, United States, a global NGO focused on strengthening democracy against the rising tide of extremism, hate and disinformation.

Captain Sandy Yawn

<p>Captain Sandy is a leader, hero and businesswoman whose exceptional leadership style has helped her to break through every obstacle in her path – from the glass ceilings and near-fatal accidents on land to pirates and fires at sea!</p>

Megan Rapinoe

<p>Two-time World Cup Champion and co-captain of the US Women’s National Soccer Team, Megan Rapinoe is a fan favorite and one of the team’s most technical players.</p><p>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.

Schuyler Bailar

<p>Schuyler Bailar is the first transgender athlete to compete in any sport on an NCAA Division 1 men’s team.</p><p>By 15, Schuyler was one of the nation’s top-20 15-year-old breast-strokers. By 17, he set a national age-group record. In college, he swam for Harvard University, on the winningest Harvard team in 50 years. Schuyler’s difficult choice – to transition while potentially giving up the prospect of being an NCAA Champion – was historic and timely.</p><p>His story has appeared everywhere from 60 Minutes to <i>The Ellen Show</i>.

Jai Rodriguez

<p>Best known for his role as the “Culture Vulture” in the Emmy Award-winning show <em>Queer Eye For The Straight Guy</em>, Jai has been helping to shape American culture—and the cultural representation of the LGBTQ community—for nearly two decades.</p><p> Emmy Award-winning actor Jai Rodriguez’s career began at age 18, when he was cast as Angel in the critically acclaimed Broadway musical <em>Rent</em>.