Speakers Bureau

Speakers Bureau offers two types of speaking engagements:

Experience Panel

Generally, each engagement includes a panel of two to five individuals who will begin the presentation by introducing themselves and sharing some information about their own stories and backgrounds. The panelists then open the floor for questions from the audience in order to engage audience members in an interactive discussion. Our speakers can cover a wide variety of topics relating to sexual orientation and gender identity.

LGBT 101

One student will facilitate a workshop that serves as a precursor to the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center's Ally Training. Attendees will learn about the gender binary, terminology, the difference between gender and sex and how allies can help the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.

Many people have questions about what it's like to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. Often, they have never had an opportunity to ask these questions, or they have never felt comfortable asking what they really want to know. We provide trained speakers to answer questions as part of an open, informed and respectful discussion. For many of the audiences we encounter, our speaking engagements may be their first opportunity to learn about the very real human side of LGBTQ+ topics. Our goal is to offer opportunities for increased communication and understanding, which may help counter myths and stereotypes, as well as give a more in-depth look at the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. We also hope to reach out to other lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people who may want resources to utilize on and off campus.

Examples of questions people may have:

• When did you decide to come out?
• What does "genderqueer" mean?
• How can I be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community?
• What resources are available at NIU for LGBTQ+ students and allies?