The last nine months have presented unprecedented challenges for everyone. As an organization that thrives on personal interactions with audiences, our ability to provide exceptional in-person speaking engagements was weakened by COVID restrictions that shut down nearly all of our clients in March. Our programs were hampered for several months as clients figured out how to function remotely and decided whether online engagements would work for them.

Like many other nonprofit organizations, and like many of you, we’ve had to find ways to adapt and survive. As a small grassroots organization, our budget is extremely sensitive to outside forces; we have no cushion or “rainy day fund.” Even now, after we’ve successfully pivoted to online formats, the volume of engagements has not returned to normal.

Because of this shortfall, we need to raise $15,000 in this year-end appeal. It is no exaggeration to say that this year’s fundraising effort is the most critical one in our 45+ year history, and will determine the future of the organization in a very concrete way.

We know that many other nonprofits, local businesses, and even family and friends are no doubt on your list of charitable causes this year; be assured that your gift to SpeakOUT will have a major impact.

While that may all sound grim, we’re also optimistic that with your help we can put SpeakOUT on the path to sustainability. Because, despite this huge disruption to our programs, we have already successfully explored ways to do our work more effectively:

• This past summer we sought to support LGBTQ+ youth programs looking to keep their members connected to each other. We led online workshops for youth in the Boston GLASS program, enhancing their public speaking skills and helping them build the confidence to share their stories.

• In October, we held our first Online Speaker Training in a new two-day Zoom format that maintained our strong personal approach while preparing speakers from Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut, thus expanding our training reach beyond our home state.

• Our new online engagement formats allow us to present to businesses and reach their employees both throughout the U.S. and abroad. We plan to continue offering online engagements in the post-COVID world to further expand our corporate audiences beyond the Greater Boston area.

• We continued to support graduating high school students through our LGBTQ+ Scholarship Program. We were very proud to award scholarships to three students and help them realize their higher education dreams; all three are now enrolled in their first year at college! For 2021, the fourth year of the scholarship, we already have a donor who has committed to supporting a scholarship specifically for transgender students and nonbinary students of color.

We are fortunate to have a team of dedicated volunteer speakers sharing personal experiences with a wide range of audiences to create safer and more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people. From college students who want to make life better for queer youth, to teachers who are role models within their own school systems, to political leaders who are trailblazers in legislatures, to retirees who’ve spent their lives working for social justice, SpeakOUT speakers showcase the strong diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.

In October, we asked SpeakOUT members to share their stories again for National Coming Out Day. Each of their insights is unique and illustrates the power of SpeakOUT’s ability to combat prejudice against LGBTQ+ people and others through personal storytelling. Our speakers have a wide range of experiences and a passion for leading sensitive discussions to open minds and change attitudes. Here’s how two of our speakers described what it means to them to be part of SpeakOUT:

“I didn’t grow up knowing anyone in the trans community. I didn’t know if I would be accepted by my family, by the world. Coming out meant starting over as my authentic self. Coming out was terrifying because it was a step into the unknown. SpeakOUT is helping to create a world of visible LGBTQ+ role models, amazing people with unique stories, opening hearts and minds one engagement at a time. I’m lucky to be able to contribute my story.”

“Coming out as an only child in an Asian household was difficult, especially since I grew up with few LGBTQ role models and peers. Today, I’m proud to be part of the SpeakOUT family, a community where I can both lean on and support others.”

SpeakOUT needs your support today. We’re optimistic about 2021, but first we need to make up for losses in 2020. Please consider making a substantial gift this year—possibly doubling what you’ve given in the past—to sustain our work. But no matter what amount you’re able to give, know that your support today will directly improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people during these challenging times.

Make your tax-deductible donation today by making an online donation. You can make a one-time gift or become a monthly or quarterly donor. With positive energy in the air after the election, we look forward to uplifting LGBTQ+ voices in the new year!

Sincerely,

Ellyn Ruthstrom

Executive Director

P.S. For a gift of $100 or more, we’ll send you one of our #ProudStories t-shirts with our rainbow-colored mohawk-wearing speaker graphic. Or you can order one for $25 on its own!

To celebrate National Coming Out Day we are highlighting the coming out experiences and insights of several of SpeakOUT’s speakers. We asked them to fill in some of the details of what coming out was like for them and how it has affected their work with SpeakOUT. When our speakers share their stories out in the community, they inspire others to have the confidence to live more authentically and we hope it will do the same for you.

Bill Barnert has been with SpeakOUT since 1980. He is 64 years old and enjoys  the theater, music, movies, education, and comedy.

Q: If you had to use one word to describe how you felt after coming out, what would it be?

A: Apprehensive.

Q: Why was coming out important to you? How was it challenging?

A: I felt that I was living a lie – lying to my parents, my family, my friends. Hiding my sexuality had put a barrier between me and everybody, and I wanted to take that barrier away. It was difficult at first, because in some ways I felt that until I told ANYONE, it was OK that I hadn’t told my parents. But I wasn’t ready to come out to my parents, so it was a Catch-22. I couldn’t tell them first, and I couldn’t NOT tell them first.

Q: If you could have told your younger self one thing before coming out, what would it be?

A: Spend less time fretting, and more time dating.

Q: How does Speak friendsOUT’s use of coming out stories help to create change?

A: I was at a weekend of college LGBTQ+ leaders at my Alma Mater, Brown. A young woman came up to me and asked “Are you Bill?” “Yes,” I said, “Why?” “Because I go to Colby College in Maine, and before you [SpeakOUT] came up to give an assembly, there were barely two out gay people on campus who talked to each other, and now we have a gay group, I do speaking engagements, and I quote you all the time!”

Q: How have you witnessed SpeakOUT positively affect those around you?

A: At one of the SpeakOUT Training Weekends, there were a number of high school students, and their parents. One of the mothers came up to me & started talking about her daughter as if I should know both of them. I finally confessed that I couldn’t place her, and she blushed. “Oh, of course! We can see you on TV, but you can’t see us! And I used a fake name.” She had called in to SpeakOUT TV when her daughter first came out, and I was the first person she had discussed it with, and she felt much better afterwards. And here they both were at a SpeakOUT Training!

Q: Why do you volunteer your time with SpeakOUT?

A: It really makes a difference in people’s lives, and that’s a good feeling.

To celebrate National Coming Out Day we are highlighting the coming out experiences and insights of several of SpeakOUT’s speakers. We asked them to fill in some of the details of what coming out was like for them and how it has affected their work with SpeakOUT. When our speakers share their stories out in the community, they inspire others to have the confidence to live more authentically and we hope it will do the same for you.

Quyen Tran starting working with SpeakOUT three years ago. She is 43 years old and enjoys drag performing (she has 15+ years experience), waterfall chasing, skinny dipping, foraging, and being an avid plant daddy.

Q: If you had to use one word to describe how you felt after coming out, what would it be?

A: Liberating.

Q: Why was coming out important to you? How was it challenging?

A: So I could stop hating myself & actually start living. It was challenging because I gave up a promising career. 

Q: If you could have told your younger self one thing before coming out, what would it be?

A: Your blood family won’t understand you, but you’ll create a whole new family that spans the whole country and will do anything for you at the drop of a hat.

Q: How does SpeakOUT’s use of coming out stories help to create change?

A: We create visibility and room for those who previously thought there was no place for them. 

Q: How have you witnessed SpeakOUT positively affect those around you?

A: Because of my experience of working with SpeakOUT, I’ve realized just how important my visibility is and how I can change people’s perception of the gay community. I now use my social media as a place where I’ll present current queer education for folks who may not have someone in their lives to help them with that.

Q: Why do you volunteer your time with SpeakOUT?

A: Because I specifically want the high school kids to have an easier time with it than I did. My hope is if I can get to them sooner, the better adjusted they will be and their personal development will be better off.

SpeakOUT’s Board of Directors has brought on three new members in the last six months. We are always interested in hearing from prospective board members who want to contribute time and energy to the LGBTQ+ community. The board meets once a month (currently virtually) and has opportunities for board members to support the organization’s fundraising, events planning, organizational development, and more. If you are interested, please email Executive Director Ellyn Ruthstrom at ellyn@speakoutboston.org to find out how you can get involved. We especially encourage people of color, and transgender and nonbinary individuals to apply for a seat on the board.

Meg Duberek joined the board of SpeakOUT in March 2017 and after a year as Vice Chair, she is now the Board Chair. Meg previously volunteered with Horizons for Homeless Children and REACH Beyond Domestic Violence. After the November 2016 election, she was reinvigorated to spend her free time focusing on social change. Meg values the focus of SpeakOUT on breaking down interpersonal barriers and changing hearts and minds, and knows that this vital work must go hand in hand with policy change within our political climate. During the work day, Meg is a member of the Communications team at an education consulting nonprofit. She analyzes reporting, tracks data, and assists with website development. In her spare time, she is usually found outside hiking, kayaking, or in a hammock with her kindle. 

Andrew Chou joined SpeakOUT’s Board of Directors in September 2018. After serving as Treasurer for a year and a half, he is now in the Vice Chair role. Andrew’s affinity to SpeakOUT stems from his belief that sharing personal experiences and building community are critical to helping LGBTQ individuals better understand their identities and allies better support their LGBTQ peers. Outside of his involvement with SpeakOUT, Andrew enjoys his day job in finance and is a spin class regular, an avid squash player, and an aspiring pastry chef.

Jenn Guneratne joined SpeakOUT’s board in July 2014, having initially signed on as a volunteer in late 2013 to assist with the organization’s social media presence. Since then, she has watched the board grow with a number of highly talented and enthusiastic members. Jenn is excited to be involved with the Board during this time of growth and she is serving in the role of Board Clerk. Professionally, Jenn has worked in both arts organizations and educational institutions, and is currently working for the Undergraduate Affairs department at Boston University College of Communication. Jenn’s background and interests span the gamut of drama, music and musicology, photography, deaf studies, involvement with the LGBTQ community, and commuting around the city on her trusty bike.

Sherry Jones Maspons joined SpeakOUT’s board in February 2019 and has recently taken on the role of Treasurer. She’s been an advocate for LGBTQ organizations in the North Shore and Greater Boston areas for many years. She acted as marshall for the Ova4D Lesbian Group in 2018 for the Boston Pride parade. As a Financial Systems Analyst and Consultant she chased large financial institution mergers and acquisitions from MA, FL, NC, OH. She then returned to her hometown of Marblehead in 2014 and currently sits on the Board of Directors for her Rowing Club, RocknRow. Sherry enjoys cooking and hosting dinner parties, cycling, gardening, traveling and sailing. 

George Grattan’s career and volunteer history wind through the woods of both academia and non-profits, including editing, writing, marketing, program management, public speaking, board service, environmental activism, and general “doing of stuff.” George joined the board of SpeakOUT in the fall of 2014, and served as Board Chair for three years. He has worked at Ceres, Bentley University, Earthwatch, and the Urban Ecology Institute and has taught American literature, writing, and environmental studies courses at Boston College, and the College of the Holy Cross, his alma mater. A proud bisexual/queer, cisgender man, he lives with his wife, Mary, in Waltham, MA and can be found every third Wednesday of the month hosting the Bisexual Resource Center’s “Bi/Pan+ Guyz Social Night.”

Catherine (Cat) Tepoz joined SpeakOUT’s board in December 2019. She previously volunteered with DBSA Boston, a mental health support group. Cat is excited to be a part of the LGBTQ community and to share her personal experiences with others. Professionally, Cat works for Bank of America Private Bank in the financial district. Outside of her involvement with SpeakOUT, Cat is a part-time MBA student at Boston College’ Carroll School of Management. In her free time, Cat can be found going on small hikes. 

Chessy Whalen joined the board of SpeakOUT in January 2020, having moved to Boston from the UK in late 2019. In London, Chessy worked with a UK-based LGBTQ charity, Just Like Us, an organization that also uses storytelling and personal connection to increase awareness of LGBTQ issues and acceptance of LGBTQ people. Seeing the similarities with SpeakOUT, she was really keen to get involved. Chessy’s day job is as a Strategy Consultant and in her spare time she enjoys reading, British TV, and trying new food either in her kitchen or out to eat.

It’s definitely that time of year again!

The onslaught of back-to-school commercials are the best indicator that students will be filling the classrooms again very soon. And that means SpeakOUT will be heading into those classrooms as well as we raise awareness about LGBTQ+ lives in the new school year.

According to a 2017 National School Climate Survey administered by GLSEN, 60% of LGBTQ+ youth felt unsafe at school due to sexual orientation and 45% felt unsafe at school due to gender identification. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) makes clear that for youth to thrive in their schools and communities, they need to feel socially, emotionally, and physically safe and supported.

A positive school climate is associated with decreased depression, suicidal feelings, substance use, and unexcused school absences among LGBTQ+ students (trans students were not included). Within schools that have an LGBTQ+-inclusive curriculum, students were less likely to hear “gay” used in a negative way often or frequently (62% compared to 78% of other students); and less likely to hear negative remarks about gender expression often or frequently (57% vs. 67%).

SpeakOUT has been sharing our #ProudStories for decades with informal storytelling to help create LGBTQ+-supportive spaces in middle and high schools in our region. We know that our proven style of community engagement works to change the way our audiences see LGBTQ+ people. Sharing our diverse stories in schools opens up dialogue that enhances understanding and positively affects the climate of the schools we visit.

Please consider making a gift today to support our work in the schools as well as in the wider community. SpeakOUT educates about LGBTQ+ lives within public libraries, colleges, faith communities, businesses and much more.

All donors who can give $125 or more will receive the new rainbow Red Sox cap as our thank you!

Warmly,
Ellyn Ruthstrom
Executive Director

P.S. Consider making a monthly donation and spread your gift throughout the year. We appreciate the ongoing support!