SpeakOUT Boston Announces GLBTQI Speaker Training: April 26th & 27th, 2014

Boston, Mass. – March 17, 2014 – SpeakOUT, the nation’s oldest gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and allies (GLBTQI) speakers bureau, will hold its bi-annual speaker training on Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27, at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA.

“Our motto is ‘Ask Us Anything,’” said SpeakOUT member Julie Dorley. “We tell our stories, speaking from our own experiences and answer audience questions honestly and openly. Our approach helps put audiences at ease and builds greater understanding about GLBTQI lives and issues.”

For over 40 years, SpeakOUT has provided training in public speaking to build the skills of its volunteer speaker network – speakers who conduct informal, interactive speaking engagements in settings like high schools, colleges, businesses, churches, and community service organizations. The group’s mission focuses on using personal storytelling as a way to create a world free of homo/bi/trans-phobia and other forms of prejudice by telling the truths of people’s lives.

The training, based on a proven format of sharing stories and answering questions, gives youth and adults an intensive two-day preparation for conducting speaking engagements. Once training is completed, participants choose engagements that fit best into their schedule. However, they’re not obligated to speak for SpeakOUT; many participants take the training as a way to grow personally and professionally.

During the training, participants learn valuable skills, such as setting the right tone, shaping and telling a story, overcoming fear, working with your co-speaker, and answering difficult questions. Additionally, training segments on the spectrums of sex and gender have been added to provide a better understanding of the bisexual and transgender communities.

“There’s nothing like the power of a personal story,” said SpeakOUT member Alex Lucchesi. “Whether you’ve never spoken in front of a crowd or speak publicly regularly, SpeakOUT gives you access to a unique audience that’s eager to listen.”

SpeakOUT’s Spring Speaker Training will be held at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at 450 Brookline Avenue in Boston. Training is $75 for both days with a reduced rate of $35 for students. Group rates and need-based reductions are also available. Space is limited, so registration is required. Please see http://bit.ly/1fr7sNB for more information.

About SpeakOUT
SpeakOUT Boston is the nation’s first gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender speakers bureau. Since 1972, our mission has focused on creating a world free of homo/bi/trans-phobia and other forms of prejudice by telling the truths of people’s lives. Today, our membership includes more than 100 volunteer speakers. We conduct informal, interactive speaking engagements in settings like high schools, colleges, businesses, churches, and community service organizations. Sharing our lives and experiences publicly helps us support those struggling with sexuality and gender identity – and helps us dispel stereotypes to create positive cultural change.