Top 10 LGBTQ+ and Pride Month Keynote Speakers for Colleges and Universities in 2026
10 Jun 2026
As colleges and universities prepare for Pride Month programming, LGBTQ+ history celebrations, leadership conferences, mental health initiatives, and campus-wide conversations about belonging, selecting the right keynote speaker can have a lasting impact. Today's students are seeking authentic voices who can speak to identity, resilience, mental health, leadership, social justice, health equity, faith, and community.
From award-winning actors and athletes to civil rights attorneys, public health leaders, faith leaders, and inclusion experts, these 10 LGBTQ+ speakers are helping shape some of the most important conversations taking place on college campuses today.
Who are the top LGBTQ+ and Pride Month Keynote Speakers for Colleges and Universities?
Laverne Cox: Mental Health, Resilience, and LGBTQ+ Identity
Award-winning actress, Emmy-winning producer, podcaster, and equal rights advocate Laverne Cox is one of the most influential voices in conversations about transgender identity, authenticity, and belonging. Best known for her groundbreaking role in Orange Is the New Black and acclaimed projects including Disclosure, Inventing Anna, and her new memoir Transcendent, Cox continues to use her platform to advance conversations around equality, representation, and self-acceptance. Her keynotes encourage audiences to embrace authenticity, challenge assumptions, and explore the power of living fully as themselves.
Chamique Holdsclaw: Mental Health Advocacy and Student Well-Being
Olympic gold medalist, six-time WNBA All-Star, and 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Chamique Holdsclaw has become one of the nation's most impactful mental health advocates. Once hailed as the "female Michael Jordan," Holdsclaw openly shares her experiences with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and recovery to help reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviors. Her story of resilience, recovery, and personal growth resonates deeply with students, student-athletes, and campus communities focused on wellness and mental health.
Ryan Jamaal Swain: Grief, Healing, and Resilience
Best known as the breakout star of FX's award-winning series Pose, Ryan Jamaal Swain inspires audiences through a story of perseverance, purpose, and resilience. A first-generation college graduate, activist, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and Stonewall Inn Ambassador, Swain speaks about overcoming adversity, pursuing dreams despite obstacles, and finding strength through loss. His message is especially powerful for students navigating identity, belonging, grief, and personal growth.
Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins: Authentic Leadership, Belonging, and LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Award-winning educator, social justice advocate, journalist, media critic, and creator of the acclaimed Black Fat Femme Podcast, Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins examines the intersections of race, gender, identity, and representation. Their work has been featured by organizations ranging from SXSW and TEDx to major brands including Disney, Amazon, Apple, and the NFL. Through engaging storytelling and thought-provoking dialogue, Dr. Higgins helps audiences better understand authenticity, belonging, and the importance of creating communities where everyone can thrive.
Chase Strangio: Trans Rights, Civil Liberties, and LGBTQ+ Advocacy
As Deputy Director for Transgender Justice at the ACLU's LGBTQ & HIV Project, Chase Strangio is one of the most visible and influential advocates for transgender rights in the United States. He has helped lead landmark legal battles involving LGBTQ+ equality, including challenges to North Carolina's HB2 law, the transgender military ban, and United States v. Skrmetti. As the first openly transgender lawyer to argue before the United States Supreme Court, Strangio offers campuses a unique perspective on civil rights, legal advocacy, bodily autonomy, and the future of LGBTQ+ equality.
Patricia Velásquez: Humanitarian Leadership, Purpose, and Global Citizenship
Award-winning actress, humanitarian, entrepreneur, author, and transformational keynote speaker Patricia Velásquez is known globally for her roles in The Mummy franchise and her groundbreaking career as one of the world's first internationally recognized Latina supermodels. Through her Wayuu Taya Foundation, she has helped improve the lives of more than one million people across Latin America through education, healthcare, water access, and sustainable development programs. Her presentations inspire audiences to move through fear with confidence, lead with purpose, and create meaningful change in their communities.
Chris Rollins: Belonging, Kindness, and Authentic Leadership
Chris Rollins is a leadership expert and creator of the Ripple Effect Leader framework, helping organizations eliminate what he calls Invisible Friction™—the small moments of disconnection that undermine trust, collaboration, and performance. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in organizational development, Rollins equips audiences with practical tools for building belonging, strengthening relationships, and creating high-trust cultures. His message is especially relevant for student leaders preparing to lead in increasingly diverse and interconnected communities.
Wade Davis: Inclusive Leadership, Allyship, and Social Change
Former NFL player and current Global Head of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix, Wade Davis is one of the foremost voices on allyship, gender equity, masculinity, and inclusive leadership. Beyond his work at Netflix, Davis has advised organizations including Google, Procter & Gamble, the United Nations, and major professional sports leagues on issues related to culture and belonging. His presentations challenge audiences to rethink leadership, identity, and equity while providing practical tools for creating more inclusive communities.
Admiral Rachel Levine: Public Health, Health Equity, and LGBTQ+ Leadership
Admiral Rachel Levine, M.D., served as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and led the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. A nationally recognized physician, public health expert, and former Pennsylvania Secretary of Health, she has helped lead responses to COVID-19, the opioid epidemic, adolescent health challenges, and health equity initiatives. Her expertise makes her a sought-after speaker on public health, leadership, healthcare policy, and creating healthier communities.
Brandan Robertson: Faith, Belonging, and LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Known globally as the "TikTok Pastor," Rev. Brandan Robertson is an author, activist, public theologian, and one of the leading voices at the intersection of faith, sexuality, and social justice. Through his writing, speaking, and digital platform, Robertson helps audiences rethink traditional assumptions about religion while creating more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals within faith communities. His message resonates with students exploring identity, spirituality, belonging, and the evolving role of faith in modern society.
Drawing on more than 15 years in the entertainment industry and a decade partnering with colleges and universities, Voices on Campus shares speaker recommendations, campus event recaps, higher education insights, and memorable moments from the road.
Looking for a Pride Month or LGBTQ+ Speaker?
Whether you're planning Pride Month programming, an LGBTQIA+ history celebration, a student leadership conference, a mental health initiative, or a campus-wide conversation on belonging and inclusion, these speakers bring powerful stories, lived experiences, and actionable insights that can help create meaningful learning experiences for your campus community. Explore their profiles to learn more about their speaking topics, availability, and how they can support your next event.
+ View More LGBTQ+ Speakers
Drew Sullivan is a leader in the speaking industry, talent advisor, and strategist with nearly 15 years of experience helping speakers, colleges, universities, and organizations create meaningful connections through ideas. As Senior Vice President at APB Speakers, he works with authors, academics, journalists, entertainers, athletes, and thought leaders to grow their platforms and navigate an ever-evolving industry. Having spent nearly his entire career serving higher education, Drew is passionate about the power of campuses to spark curiosity, challenge assumptions, and change lives. His perspective is shaped not only by his professional experience but also by a personal journey of recovery that continues to influence his approach to leadership, relationships, and service.