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The Speaker’s Bureau service of KU Queers & Allies is a panel
of Q&A members trained to facilitate group discussion about LesBiGayTrans
issues. The panel typically consists of four students of varied sexual
orientation and gender expression. Panel members will introduce themselves
briefly and give information about LesBiGayTrans resources in the
area. The remainder of the discussion is guided by questions from
group members, which panelists will answer form personal experience.
Some typical questions are about coming out to parents, queer issues
at KU, and religion and sexuality.
The goal of the Speaker's Bureau service
The primary goal of the Speaker's Bureau service is to educate the
community about the issues and concerns of lesbian, bisexual, gay,
and transgendered people. We believe that education is the key to
breaking down stereotypes. We share information about our lives
and experiences in hope of building connections with others in our
community, and ultimately of overcoming homophobia and gender oppression.
Our responsibilities
We not only believe that education is the key to helping others
understand queer issues; we also believe that education is the key
to helping ourselves. Each panel participant in the Q&A Speaker's
Bureau program has attended a training session and at least two
Speaker's Bureau panels prior to participation. Our goal is to provide
a panel that is committed to creating a positive and well-informed
environment for discussion.
Focusing on a topic
Speaker's Bureau panels can focus the discussion on a specific subject.
In the past, topics such as adoption and parenting, legal issues,
and family relationships have been requested. The panel members
speak form their own knowledge and experience as lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgendered people.
The panel can give a brief presentation to your group on a number
of specific subjects which would then be followed by an in-depth
discussion of that topic with the group. Requests for specific topic
panels must be made at least two weeks in advance to allow time
for preparation.
The next step
To request a panel for your class or group, or to volunteer to serve
on a panel, send us
an e-mail at QandA@ku.edu.
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