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OUTREACH
WITHIN ORGANIZATIONS

The PFLAG Speakers Bureau is dedicated to fostering empathy and understanding through the power of personal storytelling. By sharing our unique experiences as parents, allies, and LGBTQ+ individuals, we serve as an educational bridge between our community and the broader public. Through curated presentations and candid Q&A sessions, our trained speakers provide the insight and context necessary to create safer, more affirming environments where everyone belongs—because true allyship starts with a conversation.

 

Our speaking events aren't just presentations; they are opportunities to connect through shared human experience. Guided by PFLAG volunteers, we offer your staff, students, or congregants a brave space to ask questions and gain the tools to support their colleagues and peers with confidence. By sharing our personal stories, we help you build a culture where everyone—regardless of where they work, learn, or pray—can show up as their full, authentic selves.

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WHAT IS A PANEL LIKE?

 Overview: 

  • Service Area: Provides speakers and panels to schools, churches and businesses throughout Orange County and Long Beach.

  • Engagement Duration: Typically lasts between 1 and 3 hours.

  • Panel Composition: Includes a diverse range of identities and experiences, such as parents of LGBTQ+ children, transgender individuals, gay men, lesbians, and nonbinary individuals.

  • Structure of Engagement:

    • Brief Life Stories: Each speaker provides a 3-10 minute background covering their coming-out story, involvement with PFLAG, and/or the LGBTQ+ community.

    • Q&A Session: The majority of the time is dedicated to an open dialogue with the audience.

  • Engagement Policy: Candid conversations are encouraged. ​

    • Candid, Respectful Dialogue: The Speakers Bureau is a judgment-free zone. We welcome questions asked with a sincere desire to learn, even if you aren’t sure of the "right" way to phrase them. Whether you are curious about terminology, personal journeys, or how to be a better ally, we are here to provide honest, lived experience perspectives -- as long as they are asked in good faith.

    • Please note that while we provide clinical depth for specialized academic or healthcare settings, we maintain a policy of non-sexually explicit content for general audiences.

    • Safe for Everyone: To protect our volunteer speakers, we reserve the space for education and empathy rather than debate or derogatory language.

  • Cost: Free of charge.

    • While there is no fee for our presentations, we welcome voluntary donations to help sustain our educational programs.

HOW DO I BECOME A SPEAKER?

Interested in Becoming a Speaker?

 

Benefits & Requirements:

  • Community Impact: A rewarding opportunity to give back by educating students, parents, businesses, and community organizations about the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.

  • Eligibility:

    • Must be an active member to participate and maintain ongoing involvement.

    • Presenters under 18 years old need to be accompanied by their parent. 

  • Training: Full training is provided to all new panelists.

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