Moderator: Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride

Guest Presenter(s): Hope’s Voice Divas of Diversity from RuPaul’s Drag Race

Description:  According to Campus Pride’s State of Higher Education for LGBT People Report more than one-third of LGBT undergraduate students reported experiencing harassment, while 79% of those harassed identified students as the source of the bullying. LGBT students have expressed fear for their physical safety with over half reporting concealing their sexual orientation and/or gender identity to avoid intimidation.  The webinar will include select divas from RuPaul's Drag Race sharing their own experience of discrimination and stigma, ways they addressed these issues and a group conversation on what can be done to encourage higher educational institutions to become more aware and committed to ending the discrimination endured by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members on their campus. For students, diversity is an everyday part of campus life and yet differences continue to divide young people.

Participants will gain knowledge on:

• the experiences of LGBT members of their community and how they overcame adversity to celebrate their individuality.
• report the issues on their campus the LGBT members face.
• brainstorm unique ideas for creating a campus that is safe and welcoming for LGBT members. 

Guest Presenter Biography:

Guest presenters will include one or more of the following: BeBe Zahara Benet, Morgan Mcmichaels, Pandora Boxx, Shangela, Shannel and/or Venus D LIte.  All are represented by Hope's Voice and travel to college / university campuses presenting Divas of Diversity program.  The program includes the diva sharing their story of discrimination and acceptance, a powerful drag show performance and always time for questions and answers, hosted by a member of the campus community. The performance will have the audience on their feet and it’s easy to see why they are the best in the country!  For more information, please visit http://hopesvoice.org.