Education
“'What sexual preference do you hope she has?'” ‘Happiness. Isn’t that cool?'”
― Francesca Lia Block
Speakers’ Bureau.
Our Speakers Bureau provides opportunities for members to share our personal stories to prevent the formation of negative attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people and their families. With more LGBTQ+ organizations operating today, Indy PFLAG's Speakers Bureau focuses on opening minds and inspiring people (especially adults) to become straight allies in our work for LGBTQ+ equality.
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Here are a few examples of the types of groups and events we have spoken at:
Youth group parents
Coaches and parents of team sports
Lunch and Learns
Conferences
Employee Resource Groups
State institutions
School faculty, students, PTAs, clubs
Universities
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We can cover several topics and will cater speaking engagements to the needs of those bringing us in. Below are a few examples of the most popular topics we present on:
How to be an ally
How straight allies can support LGBTQ+ family and friends
Bullying - its harms, prevention, and bystander intervention
*(bullying does not just take place in schools. We encourage workplaces to bring us in to discuss this topic as well)Understanding gender identity and countering transgender discrimination
What it means to be a straight ally to our children
*(suggested for youth group parents, PTAs, coaches, or groups of adults who are interacting with children)
We have partnered with some of Indiana’s leading institutions and companies to educate them on LGBTQ+ issues and allyship:
What are the benefits of bringing in Indy PFLAG Speakers?
For the workplace:
Unwelcoming Workplaces
What we do: We can help increase unity within a team by empowering LGBTQ+ employees and educating their straight and cisgender counterparts.
Why it matters: 25% of LGBTQ+ people employed in the U.S. report experiencing discrimination due to sexual orientation or gender identity — 50% said it negatively impacted their work environment leaving employees feeling unseen or unwelcome, decreasing workplace performance and wellbeing.
Inclusive Culture in the Workplace
What we do: We supply powerful techniques for cultivating an inclusive culture, like strengthening workplace policies and celebrating people’s differences.
Why it matters: Recent studies suggest that nearly 50% of LGBTQ+ workers remain closeted at work and fear being stereotyped or jeopardizing professional connections.
Retain Talented Employees
What we do: Our speakers aid in retaining extraordinary talent by ensuring all employees feel respected and appreciated for their diverse contributions.
Why it matters: Employees who do not feel included in their workplace are 13x more likely to quit their role. Compared to the costs of hiring and training a replacement, it is within a business’s best interests to retain talented employees by valuing inclusion.
For those working with youth:
Representation in Education
What we do: We understand how crucial it is to share our stories, and inviting us to speak can help others learn how to share their own story.
Why it matters: 48% of students have not seen positive messaging about being LGBTQ+ from their school in the last 12 months. Additionally, numerous school staff who identify as LGBTQ+ are not open about their identities at school.
Inclusive Culture in Schools
What we do: Many of our speakers have first-hand accounts of how bullying affected our loved ones. We can inspire ways to build inclusion in schools.
Why it matters: 7 out of 10 elementary schools teachers reported hearing the use of homophobic language, such as “that’s so gay” or “you’re so gay”. Almost 50% of respondents shared that their students were experiencing homophobic bullying.
Navigating Difficult Conversations
What we do: Our speakers are parents of LGBTQ+ children too. We understand the various facets of the journey towards acceptance. We can empathize with how parents feel, allowing us to have unique insight for navigating these difficult conversations.
Why it matters: Educators often feel that communication with parents – especially parents that are not open to the idea of LGBTQ+ education or inclusion – is something they could use support with.
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Educational Resources