A multi-faceted speaker with heart and a witty sense of humor, Greg Baird has
spoken around the U.S.A. on such topics as LGBTQ issues, diversity, acceptance,
coming out, community, hate crimes and more. In this informative and challenging
presentation, "Hear me Out! Celebrating Diversity, Acceptance & Community."
Speaker and Activist, Greg Baird delivers a powerful and motivating message of
compassion that is both timely and important. Greg's lecture is inclusive for
all audiences both LGBTQ & Straight.
Greg can speak on a combination of topics for your program or can focus on just
one. He will always customize his lecture for your school. Greg is also available
to lecture to classes and activities groups while on your campus.
Lecture Topics Include:
* Gay Marriage: "Let Love Win!"
* Coming Out and Acceptance
* Stories from LGBTQ America
* Being the Voice of Change in your Life
* Hate Crimes and Why People Join Hate Groups
* Filming a Documentary: Matthew Shepard and Laramie, WY, Eleven Years Later
Greg explores how the LGBTQ community is faced with discrimination and the challenges
involved with telling our families, friends and co-workers about their sexual
orientation. He also focuses on the importance of diversity, community, acceptance
and how we should all contribute to the greater good of our communities. His
passion, humor and storytelling shine through as tells us why it is so important
for everyone to be a role model and take the time to share our stories and listen.
His message offers hope, compassion and understanding. Greg will leave you motivated
to change your life and be the voice of change in your own community.
He is the executive producer of an new heartfelt documentary film with 89-Second
Productions, that explores the 1998 gay hate murder of Matthew Shepard &
the town of Laramie, Wyoming eleven years later. The film focuses on the education
of our youth in dealing with hate crimes, Matthew's continued impact eleven
years later and hate crime legislation. It is also about the journey to film
and the friendship of Greg and Director, Ryan Kipp. The film will be mixed with
heartfelt interviews and discussions from across the United States.
The summer of 2010, Greg was the keynote speaker at the International Lesbian
and Gay Police Association/Gay Officers Action League of Chicago Conference.
Greg along with actress Sharon Gless from the hit TV show, Cagney & Lacy,
Showtime’s Queer as Folk and the recent film, Hanna Free were headliners
at the Palmer House Hilton speaking about, “A Bridge to Unity.”.
The speech was about bridging people together and putting down the things that
divide us and reaching for the things that unite all of us.
Greg can be seen in a documentary titled, Fish Out of Water that explores what
the Bible really says about being gay. The film is inspired by the experiences
of his friend coming out as a lesbian to her sorority sisters during her senor
year at college.
Greg is a playwright, director and actor and is currently a free lance writer
& filmmaker connecting gay-friendly communities on Meefers.com. Greg is
acknowledged for his contribution in Dr. Ruth Westheimer's book on her Guide
to College Life. He also has been written about in several publications and
books across the U.S.A for his work in the community as a mentor/teacher.
For more details on this film, click here
Check out Greg on Youtube as he is "OUT in the Community" during
Midsommerfest in Andersonville, IL
Some of Greg's latest praise!
"Greg Baird's entertaining and moving talk powerfully affected both the
gay and heterosexual audience at Morehead State University. Using his own coming
out story, Greg models what it looks like to be self-actualized in a gay identity,
as well as stressed the importance of being an ally. Our ALLYance students were
particularly excited that Greg visited with them for three hours after his talk.
A generous, gifted, and funny speaker with a social justice message, I highly
recommend bringing Greg Baird to your campus!"
Bernadette Barton
Associate Professor of Sociology and Women's Studies
Morehead State University
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October is National Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual History Month.
Several organizations joined together in 1994 and declared October as National
LGBT History Month. The celebration is modeled after and is similar in purpose
to Black History Month and Women's History Month. It is designed to "promote
the teaching of LGBT history in secondary and post-secondary academic setting,
as well as within the LGBT community and mainstream society" (Lesbian and
Gay History Month press release, June 24, 1994). October was chosen as the month
for the celebration because National Coming Out Day already was established
as a widely known event, on October 11, and October commemorated the first march
on Washington by LGBT people in 1979. LGBT History Month is intended to encourage
honesty and openness about being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. On June
11, 1999, President Clinton issued a presidential proclamation designating June
as Gay & Lesbian Pride Month.
