A genuinely gifted speaker with a witty sense of humor, Greg Baird has an informative and inspiring way of capturing his audience through his presentation, “Out in the Open: A Right to Live & Love." This program filled with sensitivity and compassion appeals to all audiences both gay and straight. He offers a message of unconditional love through his presentation of the importance of an inclusive community, stories from gay America, community, the future of gay America, coming out and how hate crimes affect all of us.
Greg tells the story of growing up in a small conservative mid-western town, and how he struggled to overcome negative stereotypes. He explores how the LGBTQ community are faced with discrimination and the challenges involved with telling our families and friends about their sexuality. He tells us why it is so important for everyone to be a role model and create a wave of change in our own lives. His message offers hope, compassion and understanding.
Greg also is a playwright, director and actor and has co-hosted his own television show in Northern Michigan called, "ARTiculation." He has been included in the millennium edition of Who's Who in America and is thanked for his contribution in Dr. Ruth Westheimer's new book on her Guide to College Life.
Latest News! Greg is currently working with 89-Second Productions from New York City on a documentary film based on the murder or gay college student Matthew Shepard. This film will focus on how that horrible hate crime affected Greg and several people in his life, and how they made a positive change in their lives. The film will take you back to Laramie, WY and see how things have changed since October 7, 1998.
For more details on this film, click on the link below:
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 selected because the first and second Marches on Washington for lesbian and gay rights were held in this month in 1979 and 1987. National Coming Out Day (October 11) provided an additional reason for choosing this month. Finally, since October also falls during the academic calendar year, educational institutions are able to participate in LGBT related activities.
