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, community, bullying, 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, clubs and organizations while on your campus.
Lecture Topics Include:
* An Evening with Greg R. Baird
* Hate Crimes & Bullying
* Embracing a Diverse Community
* Being the Voice of Change in your Life
* Discovering Your Legacy & being a Role Model
* Producing a Documentary: Matthew Shepard and Laramie, WY, Thirteen Years Later
Greg explores how the LGBT 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 a new insightful documentary film with 89-Second Productions that explores the 1998 gay hate murder of Matthew Shepard & the town of Laramie, Wyoming thirteen years later. The film focuses on the education of our youth in dealing with hate crimes, Matthew's continued impact thirteen 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 is mixed with heartfelt interviews and discussions from across the United States.
Most recently, Greg was part of the Emmy Award-winning LX.TV, a NBC Universal lifestyle show called, 1stLook.
Greg was interviewed as part of the show that featured Host, Connie de Bie spending a night on the town with a Windy City celebrity, Miss Foozie.
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, writer and not to forget a great cook! He 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.
Some of Greg's latest praise!
“Greg's lecture last night was extraordinary. The message that Greg delivered was poignant and timely in light of the recent events across our nation. Greg was very engaging through telling his story and connecting to the audience, finding time to connect to the students and community members, both gay and straight. Greg's delivery of the lecture was more a conversation amongst friends than an authoritative approach. We had nearly 200 people in attendance with a great mix of students, staff/faculty, and community.”
-Scott Powell
Director of Student Activities and Campus Housing
North Central Michigan College, Petoskey, MI
"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
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.
