Speaking Out Program
Out Boulder County's Speaking Out Program is a volunteer speaker's bureau where members of our community from every part of the LGBTQ+ spectrum share their stories on a panel of 3 or 4 people. These panels mostly occur in middle and high schools, but also we occasionally hold panels in churches, other non-profits, college classes, and healthcare provider trainings. We're open to Speaking Out being a part of any group or event. After each member shares a 5-15 minute story about their life as an LGBTQ+ person or ally, the audience members have 30+ minutes to ask questions to specific members or the whole group.
Speaking Out is our longest running program at Out Boulder County and it provides Boulder County with LGBTQ+ visibility still so desperately needed for our youth, even in a world with marriage equality and increasing LGBTQ+ visibility. We have years of data supporting what we already know in our hearts, that Speaking Out changes lives and saves LGBTQ+ people from isolation and fear. We are able to offer young people a safe place to ask questions and also diverse representations of what life can look like as an adult queer person, something youth almost never see in media or in their adult mentorships.
To request a Speaking Out Panel, please fill out this application.
If you have questions about Speaking Out, please contact Chris Castañeda at ccastaneda@outboulder.org.
Interested in volunteering?
We hold 6 trainings a year for new volunteers which are required in order to participate. As we continue to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion into our programming, we have made the decision to offer a QTBIPOC (queer, Trans, Indigenous, Black, and People of Color) and Spanish-accessible training for any volunteers that identify as such. There will be Spanish translation available at the QTBIPOC training. The trainings are scheduled as follows and will be IN-PERSON.
This years training dates are as listed:
1/23- Roosevelt Conference Room 3340 Mitchell Ln, Boulder CO 80301
3/19- Pride House 1443 Spruce St, Boulder, CO 80302
5/21- Youth Space 3340 Mitchell Ln, Boulder CO 80301
8/20- Youth Space 3340 Mitchell Ln, Boulder CO 80301
10/22- Youth Space 3340 Mitchell Ln, Boulder CO 80301
There are no minimum hours that a speaker is required to complete in order to be considered an active member of Speaking Out.
Past Students’ Comments
What changes are you likely to make after this presentation:
"Come out to my parents"
"Find out what gender pronouns people would like"
What information did you hear that was new or helpful to you:
"I learned it was okay to be different. I also learned to always be an ally and be supportive"
What was the most meaningful thing you heard today?
“Just seeing others like me. I feel less alone.”
“I think it is great that we can openly talk about these issues and that people can share their experiences. It really helps create a better understanding.”
“The authenticity of the presentations has made me feel a lot more comfortable in my own skin.”
“At the moment I’ve been struggling with sexual orientation so seeing you has really made me feel really strong.”