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SpeakOUT! Panel Program

SpeakOUT! Panel Presentations

Call 387-2123 or email lbgt-coordinator@wmich.edu to request a panel.

SpeakOUT! is a panel discussion program designed to increase awareness about people of different sexual orientations and gender identities through peer contact and conversation with audience members. Panelists are lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender (LBGT) or heterosexual ally students who are trained to speak in a panel format about what it is like to be a member of the LBGT community or an ally to LBGT people.

Panelists share their experiences coming out as LBGT or allies and engage audiences in question-and-answer style discussion about their lives. SpeakOUT! panels are requested by a variety of classes, residence halls, and student organizations every semester. Panelists meet regularly to foster a community of support, friendship, and continuing education. Training for new panelists is held each fall and spring semester. WMU grad students, staff, and faculty are also welcome!

Trainings are offered at the beginning of Fall and Spring semesters

Click here to RSVP for the Real Talk Diversity Series

Video from the the 2nd Annual
Excellence in Diversity Awards
is available on our Resources page.

Office of Diversity & Inclusion Vision

WMU recognizes that diversity and multiculturalism are essential for university administrators, faculty, staff members, students, alumni, and community partners to reach their unique potential in the areas of intellectual, personal, social, and cultural development in a fully engaged, enlightened community. Therefore, the University has a responsibility to encourage the exploration of the cultures and life experiences that are available on campus and in communities near and far, for cultural diversity makes sense only within a framework that enables equitable treatment of all in a community.

Office of Diversity & Inclusion Mission

WMU will be a leader in the area of diversity and multiculturalism by fostering an environment where diversity in all of its forms is investigated, explained, practiced, celebrated, affirmed, and vigorously pursued. WMU envisions an academic community that affirms the dignity, value, and uniqueness of each person. We intent to aggressively pursue the recruitment, retention, and/or promotion of a more diverse administration, staff, faculty and student body. Moreover, WMU aims to ensure that the campus climate is welcoming and affirming for all persons by addressing the causes and sources of structural inequalities and changing the decision-making processes that prevent “genuine participation” of all university constituents.