Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox is a critically acclaimed actress who currently appears in the Netflix original series Orange is the New Black, playing the groundbreaking role of “Sophia Burset,” an incarcerated African American transgender woman. Laverne is the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television show. Time Magazine named Sophia Burset the 4th most influential fictional character of 2013.
Visited
2015: Bucknell University, University of Pittsburgh-Oakland, Muhlenberg College
2014: University of Pennsylvania, Penn State-University Park, Haverford College, Dickinson College, Penn State-Behrend
Mara Keisling
A Harrisburg native, Mara is the founding Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality.
Visited
2012: PSU-University Park, University of Pittsburgh-Oakland
2011: Kutztown University, University of Pennsylvania 2010: Bucknell University
Kye Allums is an artist, athlete, activist, and human being. After publicly coming out about his identity in 2010, Kye became the first division I, openly transgender athlete in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). After graduating from George Washington University with a degree in Fine Arts, Kye began sharing his trans* experience with other colleges, and universities across the United States.
Visited
2014: Bucknell University, West Chester University, Lehigh University
2013: The Keystone Conference, Central PA GSA Summit, Mechanicsburg High School
2012: Mechanicsburg High School
Chaz Bono
Chaz Bono is an LGBT rights advocate, three time author, speaker and the only child of famed entertainers Sonny and Cher. Chaz’s decision to come out as a Lesbian in 1995 prompted his public work in support of LGBT rights and social justice.
Visited
2012: PSU-University Park, PSU-Abington
Judy Shepard
“In 1998, Judy Shepard lost her son, Matthew, to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Turning tragedy into a crusade for justice, and determined to prevent Matthew’s fate from befalling others, she established The Matthew Shepard Foundation. Speaking from a mother’s perspective, Judy Shepard has made the prevention of hate crimes the focus of her efforts, and urges her audiences to make their schools and communities safe for everyone.”
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Kate Bornstein
2009: University of Pennsylvania
John Amaechi
2012: University of Scranton
Hudson Taylor
2012: PSU-University Park
2011: UPenn, PSU-University Park
Kenyon Farrow
Kenyon Farrow has been working as an organizer, communications strategist, and writer on issues at the intersection of HIV/AIDS, prisons, and homophobia. Kenyon is the former Executive Director of Queers for Economic Justice—an organization dedicated to organizing, research, and advocacy for and with low-income and working-class lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Currently he serves on the Executive Committee of Connect 2 Protect New York, and the Center for Gay & Lesbian Studies (CLAGS). He has been honored as one of the “Movers and Shakers” in HIV/AIDS Activism in the African-American Community by The Body.com, was named as one of Out Magazine’s Out 100 for 2008, the Advocate Magazine’s “40 Under 40” LGBT Leaders in the United States for 2010, and one of Black Entertainment Television’s “Modern Black History Heroes” for 2011.
Visited
2014: Bryn Mawr College
2010: University of Pennsylvania
Zachary Wahls
In January 2011, Zach Wahls’ delivered a powerful testimony before the Iowa House Judiciary Committee in opposition to a proposed constitutional ban on same sex marriage. His remarks about his mothers went viral on YouTube and his ability to speak out for LGBTQ equality as an ally, specifically for marriage equality, has lead him to be a nationally known equality figure. He has been a guest on Ellen and the Daily Show, written a book “My Two Moms”, and spoken before the Democratic National Convention in 2012. Now 21 years old, he continues to share his personal story with thousands of people at venues across the country.
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