Intercultural
LGBTQIA+
LGBTQIA+:
Author & LGBTQ+ Activist
From the early days of AIDs activism to marriage equality, civil rights icon Jones has been a driving force behind the most important gains made by the LGBTQ+ community over the past four decades.
Trailblazing Civil Rights Attorney & Deputy Director for Transgender Justice at the ACLU
Chase Strangio is a trailblazing civil rights attorney and one of the most visible advocates for transgender rights in the United States.
Award-Winning Actress, Producer & Equal Rights Advocate
With various ‘firsts’ in her already impressive career, Laverne Cox is a four-time Emmy- nominated actress, Emmy-winning producer, and a prominent equal rights advocate and public speaker.
Golden Globe-Winning Actor, #1 NYT Bestselling Author, Screenwriter & Producer
Chris Colfer is a Golden Globe-winning, Emmy and SAG Award nominated actor, #1 New York Times bestselling author, screenwriter and producer.
Global Head of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix
A thought leader, advocate and writer on gender, race and orientation equality and intersectionality, Davis is the NFL’s first LGBTQ+ consultant and works with numerous pro teams.
Intersectional Activist & Co-Founder of March For Our Lives
X González (they/them) is a gun-violence prevention activist born and raised in Parkland, Florida. A survivor of the Marjory Stoneman-Douglas High School shooting, X became a leading voice in the gun-violence prevention movement.
Actress & Comedian
Speaker Lily Tomlin's success as a comedian and actress has spanned a range of media for decades. In her entertaining keynotes, she recalls her career with candor and charm.
Director of Cycling Content, Peloton
As the Director of Cycling Content at Peloton, Cody reminds everyone in his class to push themselves, but have a good time doing it, because we all need to have a little more fun.
Writer, Performer & Consultant
Whether ALOK is selling out an international performance tour, publishing essays and books advocating for LGBTQ equality, designing a new fashion collection, or speaking about a 21st century approach to gender rights – their distinctive mix of charisma, poetry, and intellect has made them one of the most dynamic artists of our times.
Member of *NSYNC
Lance Bass is the quintessential illustration of a highly successful and driven jack-of-all-trades: singer, host, actor, producer, writer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and cosmonaut.
Writer & Social Justice Educator Focused on Gender, Race & Media
Dr. Higgins is a speaker, writer, and social justice educator who focuses on issues related to gender, race, and media. Named Business Equality Magazine’s “Top 40 LGBTQ Under 40” for 2020, they have written for numerous media outlets.
Trans Non-Binary Filipinx Activist & Educator; Creator of "Call Me They"
AC Dumlao (they/he) is a transgender non-binary first-generation Filipinx-American New Yorker. They were named a NYC/WorldPride Community Hero, during the 50th anniversary year of the Stonewall Uprising.
Powerful Mental Health Advocate, Olympic Gold Medalist & WNBA Hall of Famer
Chamique Holdsclaw was the #1 Pick in the 1999 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics. Aside from her outstanding athletic career, Chamique has dedicated her life’s work to mental health and wellness activism.
Emmy, Tony & Grammy Award-Winning Actress
Cynthia Nixon has completed her final season of HBO's celebrated series, Sex and the City, in which she played "Miranda Hobbes," a role that garnered her 2002 and 2003 Emmy nominations.
Award-Winning Actor, Activist & Author
A breakout star of FX’s Golden Globe-nominated series, Pose, Ryan Jamaal Swain is a triple-threat actor, dancer, and singer who was named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list for his LGBTQIA+ activism.
Olympic Medalist, Figure Skater, On-Air Host & LGBTQ+ Activist
Artist. Athlete. Activist. Adam Rippon is a combination of all three. One of the most dramatic figure skaters on the planet, Adam won the hearts of America and the world at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
178th President of the American Medical Association
Dr. Jesse M. Ehrenfeld was the 178th president of the American Medical Association (AMA). Upon his inauguration in 2023, he made AMA history as the first openly gay president of the organization.
Peabody and GLAAD-Award Winning Actress and Journalist
Eva Reign is a Peabody and GLAAD Award winning Brooklyn-based actress, writer and artist from St. Louis, Missouri.
Award-Winning Producer, Transgender Fashion Model & Activist
Geena Rocero, born and raised in Manila, Philippines, is an Award Winning Producer, Writer, Director, Model, Public Speaker, Trans Rights Advocate and co-host of the Webby Awards honoree TV Show ASPIREist, broadcasted on HLN/CNN.
Anchor, Anderson Cooper 360°
As host of CNN's Anderson Cooper 360°, speaker Anderson Cooper presents the news in an unconventional and wide-ranging format.
Tennis Legend
Navratilova is not only a tennis legend, but an inspirational leader who demonstrates wit, candor, and sheer motivation. She has amassed an unmatched number of professional records during her career.
Gender Fluid Drag Queen, Artist, LGBTQ Activist & Ru Paul's Drag Race Winner
Sasha Velour is a gender-fluid drag queen and visual artist. As a drag artist, Velour has toured the world with her acclaimed one-queen drag spectacular Smoke & Mirrors, bewitching audiences on 3 continents.
CEO, Maggie’s All-Natural Fresh Salsas and Dips
Magie, whose birth name is Magdalena de la Cruz cook Garcia, is a Latino businesswoman who was born in an orphanage in Mexico. In 2004, she entered a Fresh Salsa competition for the state of West Virginia and won unanimously.
The “TikTok Pastor,” Pastor of Sunnyside Reformed Church, Author, Activist & Public Theologian
Rev. Brandan Robertson is a public theologian working at the intersections of spirituality, sexuality, and social renewal. Robertson is as the “TikTok Pastor”, creating videos which have garnered over 215k followers and 5 million views.
Executive Director of Carolina Jews for Justice (CJJ)
Rabbi Sandra Lawson (she/her) is a nationally recognized leader, visionary strategist, and community builder working at the intersection of Judaism, justice, and community transformation.
Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law at NYU School of Law
Melissa Murray knows the transformational power of women’s rights and gender justice. As a leading scholar of constitutional law and reproductive rights and justice, she researches and writes about the structures, systems, and institutions.
Executive Director of the ACLU
The first Latino and openly gay head of the ACLU, Romero has transformed the ACLU into an organizational powerhouse championing civil liberties, individual freedom and human rights.
Award-Winning Advocate and Trans Justice Leader & Campaign Manager at the ACLU
LaLa B Zannell is an advocate, organizer, and artist working towards liberation for transgender and nonbinary communities, with a particular focus on trans women of color and trans sex workers.
Actress, Transparent & LGBTQ+ Advocate
Trace Lysette is an actress and advocate best known for her role of 'Shea' on Amazon's critically acclaimed series, Transparent. She is a strong advocate for transgender rights and representation in Hollywood.
Award-Winning Diversity Activist, Changemaker & Political Commentator
Subject of the #1 Netflix film WHITE HOT: The Rise and Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch Ben is known for his transformative work in culture, politics, and entertainment.
Transgender Public Scholar & Intellectual Activist
Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza is passionate about the politics of radical difference and the ways that our collective differences might shed light on how we become a better body together. He is also a teacher at heart and loves being with people and teaching the community.
Author of The Queens’ English
Chloe O. Davis is a Broadway performer and debut author who works in the entertainment industry in New York. A graduate of Hampton University and Temple University, she has centered her creative platform on amplifying the narratives of Black culture.
Award-Winning Comedy Writer
A trailblazing woman in stand-up comedy and a best-selling author, Leifer shares her views on women’s issues, her Jewish roots, human rights, acknowledging that she was gay at 40, and her incredible career.
Award-Winning Actress & “Social Action Hero”
Best known for her award-winning work in more than 30 films—including the blockbusters Sister Act, Hocus Pocus, WALL-E and Rat Race—the voice of Peggy Hill on King of the Hill and roles on VEEP, Younger and Graves, Kathy Najimy is also a celebrated advocate on the frontline of myriad progressive social causes.
Deaf LGBTQ+ Writer, Producer & Actor
Deaf since birth, Josh Feldman is a writer, producer, and actor living and working in Los Angeles, California who is passionate about telling stories that feature intersectional, diverse, LGBTQ+ characters.
Bridal Fashion Designer
The most trusted source in the Bridal Industry, Randy Fenoli’s mission is to educate, elevate & empower every bride to choose the most important dress in her life & all women to realize their own personal beauty.
"Culture Vulture" on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
Most recognized for his role in Bravo’s culturally groundbreaking series Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, Jai created a niche role on the Emmy Award-winning series as the ‘Culture Vulture,’ a youthfully savvy addition to the show’s dynamic cast.
Bestselling Author & Screenwriter
Steven Rowley is the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016, The Editor, named by NPR and Esquire magazine as one of the Best Books of 2019.
Executive Editor/Founder of The Diversity Council at America's Test Kitchen
If you could only use one word to describe Elle Simone Scott, it would be warrior. The Executive Editor and Founder of The Diversity Council at America’s Test Kitchen fought for herself—navigating a career and life full of extreme highs and lows.
Basketball Superstar & Motivator
Noted as "one of the best players ever" in the WNBA, speaker Sheryl Swoopes was the first woman to have a Nike shoe named after her.
Olympic Diver & Author
By 16, Greg Louganis won his first Olympic medal, and at 24 he became the first man in 56 years to win two gold medals in diving by winning both the platform and springboard events.
Directors of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies and Professors of Teacher Education at Montclair State University
Monica Taylor and Emily J. Klein are professors at Montclair State University focusing on Teaching and Learning, Education, and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies.
World's Leading Authority on Human Values, CEO of a Global Research Firm & Author
David’s dynamic keynotes have been called “riveting” and “fascinating” and the custom data and insights he brings to each audience have been described as “entirely unique and priceless.”
Poet, Author & Millennial Advocate
Azure Antoinette uses performance poetry to explore some of life's most significant topics, including gender, ambition, aging, beauty, alienation, relationships, the effects of technology on culture and more.
Actress
Meredith Baxter has been an actress for 49 years; she’s also a writer, artist and mother of five, grandmother of 3. She starred in five television series, including the long-running Family Ties.
Clinical Psychologist & Executive Coach
A clinical psychologist, executive coach and international lecturer on stress, mindfulness and behavior change, Dr. Damon Bayles is committed to helping people cut through the noise and distress in their lives to develop clarity and confidence.
Author, Activist, Educator & Historian
As co-founder of the Free South Africa Movement, Berry helped to end apartheid. Today, she is one of the most respected activists in the cause of civil rights, gender equality and social justice.
Plays “Nessarose” in Universal’s Wicked Duology, PRWeek’s Communicator of the Year & Inspirational Changemaker
Marissa Bode is a groundbreaking actor and disability advocate who made her feature-film debut as principal character Nessarose in Universal’s Wicked duology, directed by Jon M. Chu.
Subject of Film, Facing Fear
As the subject of the Academy Award-nominated documentary Facing Fear, Matthew Boger describes one of the darkest moments in his life and opens our eyes to the impact we can all have on the people around us.
New York Times Bestselling Author & Political Analyst
Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, radio host, political analyst and a New York Times bestselling author. The Grift, an instant New York Times bestseller, was released in January 2024.
12-Year WNBA Veteran, First Openly Transgender & Non-Binary Player in WNBA History
Layshia is a recently retired 12-year WNBA veteran point guard. In her 2 terms as WNBPA Vice president she helped negotiate a groundbreaking CBA Agreement that will serve as a bedrock for women’s professional sports leagues moving forward.
2x Top 50 Business Thinkers in the World
Dorie Clark helps individuals and companies get their best ideas heard in a crowded, noisy world. She has been named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50.
Award-Winning Author & the American Marie Kondo
Known nationally and internationally as the woman who lived in one of the world’s smallest apartments, Felice Cohen is also the award-winning author of the bestselling books.
Actress on The Facts of Life & Breast Cancer Survivor
Mindy Cohn made her acting debut as the witty, precious Eastland Academy student Natalie Green in the hit comedy series The Facts of Life. In 2012, a scan showed something in her breast and before she knew it, Cohn was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Filmmaker
The creative mind behind Monster's Ball, speaker Lee Daniels was the first African American producer of an Academy Award-nominated movie.
TV Icon & Host of The Ellen DeGeneres Show
A beloved TV icon and entertainment pioneer, Ellen DeGeneres has resonated with audiences from her first stand-up comedy appearances to her current work as host of the Emmy-winning Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Thought-Provoking Transgender Speaker
Matt Ellison is a highly sought-after, entertaining and thought-provoking transgender speaker. His life experience as a trans man has fascinated and inspired audiences of all kinds in both private and public sectors.
Award-Winning Actor, Lost
Known for his role as "Benjamin Linus" in the hit series Lost, Michael Emerson is a 2009 Emmy Award winner for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and a 2010 Golden Globe nominee.
Executive Director at Waic Up, White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council Member
Jerome Foster II is an environmental justice activist, social entrepreneur, and renowned public speaker. At 18, he made history becoming the youngest person ever to advise the White House.
Global Inclusion & Leadership Expert
Speaker Stephen Frost is a recognized leadership, communications, and inclusion expert, who designed and led the inclusion programs for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Travel Host & Video Journalist
Josh Garcia is an Award Winning, Emmy-Nominated Travel Host and Video-Journalist best known for his work on The Voyager with Josh Garcia on NBC.
Stand-Up Comedian, Actor & Author
Judy has had stand-up specials on HBO, Comedy Central and LOGO. She was a part of Netflix’s Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration. She is the author of Yes I Can Say That, a critically acclaimed book.
Former President of the American Civil Liberties Union
Former President of the ACLU, Susan Herman helps audiences understand today’s social issues in national security, marriage equality, women’s and voting rights, the criminal justice system and civil liberties.
Environmentalist, Educator & Founder of QueerBrownVegan
Isaias Hernandez is a full-time content creator for QueerBrownVegan and has experience in diversity inclusion work in environmental spaces, academic research, and creative work.
Author & LGBTQ Rights Advocate
Jessica Herthel is the co-author of the children’s picture book, I Am Jazz. She uses the book as a classroom tool and why it is imperative to make schools and communities a safer place for ALL children.
Broadway Star
One of the greatest voices of the new millennium, Jennifer Holliday gives concerts across the world. Having lived with depression for over ten years, she shares that there is a healing path out of the darkness.
Lead Attorney on the DOMA Gay Rights Case
Kaplan earned national acclaim when she argued—and won— the Supreme Court case that struck down DOMA and produced one of the most important civil rights decisions of our time.
Contributing Opinion Writer for the New York Times & Author
Combining his breadth of historical knowledge, extensive global travels, and memorable anecdotes, James Kirchick illuminates the most important issue in the world today — freedom.
Professor at Montclair State University in the Department of Teaching and Learning & the Department of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies
Emily J. Klein is a professor at Montclair State University in the Department of Teaching and Learning, the PhD program in Teaching and Teacher Education, and the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies.
Emmy Award Winning TV Personality & Style Expert
Emmy Award winning TV personality, style expert, fashion designer, interior designer and New York Times best-selling author are some of the credits of the multi-talented and unforgettable Carson Kressley.
Award-Winning Journalist, Creator of Queer News Daily & Author
Nico Lang is a multi award-winning journalist, editor, culture critic, and essayist. In the decade they’ve spent in journalism, Lang has also served as the deputy editor for Out magazine.
Founder and CEO of Hollywood Unlocked, Multimedia Powerhouse and Self-Made Entrepreneur
Multimedia powerhouse and self-made entrepreneur Jason Lee’s success has nothing to do with luck. Life tried to underestimate Lee. Life has learned its lesson.
Founder, President & CEO of Raising Change
Kathy LeMay is the founder, president, and CEO of Raising Change, which helps organizations raise capital to advance social change agendas and individuals create Generosity Plans to help change the world.
17th Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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.
Emmy Award-Winning Actress
With a career spanning across TV, theater and film, Judith Light is best known for her portrayal of “Angela Bower” on Who's the Boss? She is a passionate speaker on AIDS-related human rights issues.
Author & Founder of Moral Courage TV
Professor Irshad Manji role models the key teaching of moral courage: that doing the right thing in the face of our fears makes us whole. A senior fellow at the USC, she is an educator at heart.
Identity Coach, Influencer & Co-Host of The EFF IT Madres Podcast
Welcome to the reintroduction of Romi Marie. Paired with an unmatched self-love, she wears every identity like a badge of honor: bisexual, entrepreneur, divorcee, mother.
Emmy-Nominated Storyteller, Classically-Trained Opera Singer & On Tour with NPR's "The Moth"
Prepare to embark on a powerful and inspiring journey with Deonna Marie as she shares her incredible story of triumph over adversity.
1st Actively & Openly Serving Transgender U.S. Military Member
Shane Ortega is a human rights equity advocate, diversity educator, fitness model, DJ, and mixed-media artist. He/they are retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and Marine Corps Veteran.
"Lead with your Brand" Success Coach
Jayzen Patria is a personal branding expert, diversity advocate and host of the popular Lead With Your Brand! Podcast. His mission is to help organizations transform through the power of their people finding their true brand voice.
GLBTQ & HIV/AIDS Activist
Jonathan Perry, who is HIV positive, founded Johnson C. Smith University's first official, gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender (GLBT) organization and is actively involved in HIV-education programs on campus.
Former Mayor of Cambridge
Ken Reeves is a Cantabridgian who served as a Cambridge City Councilor for 23 years. He served three terms as Mayor of Cambridge.
Emmy-Nominated Actor, Star of Pose & American Horror Story on FX, Producer & Writer, Human Rights Advocate, Singer & Songwriter
From the board room, to film and TV sets to Capitol Hill to the music studio, Angelica Ross is a leading figure of success and strength in the movement for human rights advocacy focused on Transgender and racial equality.
Founder of Comfort Cases
Rob Scheer founded Comfort Cases, an all-volunteer charitable organization that provides overnight bags, pajamas, hygiene items, and activities to give comfort to children and teens transitioning into foster care.
Organizational Thought Leader, Expert on Rejection & Best-Selling Author
As the CEO and publisher of College Magazine, the trusted guide to navigating college, reaching millions of readers, Amanda Silver empowers young professionals to achieve a career they love.
Best-Selling Author & Leadership Educator
Rachel Simmons is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Odd Girl Out and The Curse of the Good Girl, and Enough As She Is.
Award-Winning Actress & Activist
Known for her performance in the 1992 blockbuster Basic Instinct, speaker Sharon Stone supports organizations that serve the lesbian, gay and HIV/AIDS community.
Director of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies & Professor in the Department of Educational Foundations at Montclair State University
Monica Taylor is the Director of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, a professor in the Department of Educational Foundations, as well as in the teacher education and teacher development doctoral program at Montclair State University.
Attorney, Business Consultant, Co-star of Unicorn Hunters
The staff and the co-stars on the YouTube show “Unicorn Hunters,” call Moe Vela a modern-day renaissance man. And it’s a title well deserved. Vela, who is also co-executive producer of the series, can do it all.
Award-Winning Actress, Pioneering Supermodel, Humanitarian & Author
Patricia Velásquez is an award-winning actress, humanitarian, entrepreneur, transformational keynote speaker, author, and mother.
Author, Feminist & Activist
Rebecca Walker contributes to the global conversation about gender, identity, power, and the evolution of the human family through writing books, collaborating with artists and thought leaders, teaching at the university level, and more.