Outright Speakers & Talent Bureau [Coming Out Issues]

Billy Bean solidified his role as a major-league base ball player even as he grappled with a secret that made hitting a Roger Clemens fastball look easy: he was a gay man in a brutally anti-gay world. Ultimately, Billy faced an agonizing choice between continuing to play, in secrecy and solitude, the game he loved and the honesty of a loving relationship. In the prime of his career, Billy walked away from baseball in 1996, in part, because of the sudden death of his former partner, and the frustration of holding onto that secret alone. His desire not to let that happen to anyone else pushed him to share his story. In his best selling book Going The Other Way and in his presentation Billy tells his story, that is at times heartbreaking and farcical, to ruminative and uncensored. He is a testament to the power of a single voice, and is the exemplary American tale, in that he points the way toward a more perfect game, one in which all men and women can pursue their dreams free of prejudice and discrimination.

After spending eight years of marital bliss with her partner, Martina Navratilova, in 1991 Judy Nelson and Martina broke up. This rift resulted in Judy bringing suit against Martina for breaking their partnership agreement. As the two headed for trial, a settlement was reached out of court. Judy tells the how and why along with details of a very real and special romance in her number one best seller Love Match: Nelson vs. Navratilova. Judy's recent autobiography, Choices, tells of her life after Martina, the resultant publicity, and her new career with the Ford model agency. Judy is also a monthly columnist for the Lesbian News.

Talk about a double life. Long before he was crowned Playgirl's "Centerfold of the Year", gay hunk Dirk Shafer was an "Oscar" -nominated student film maker. Dirk tells this amusing story of his tumultuous reign as Playgirl magazine's supposedly straight centerfold in his critically acclaimed movie "Man of the Year". Not only did Dirk star in this movie, but he also produced it. Dirk's movie and his presentation is a look back at what it was like having to fake it as the straight stud darling of the TV talk show circuit while trying to avoid the discovery of his hidden truth. Dirk affectionately spoofs everything from sexuality to outing, while revealing the personal issues (his lover's growing frustration and a friend's death from AIDS) that ultimately brought him out of the male modeling closet.

Michelangelo Signorile was dubbed by Time magazine as the man who invented "outing" in his column for the now defunct magazine Outweek. In his new book Outing Yourself: How to Come Out to Your Family, Friends, and Coworkers, he offers step by step tips on coming out. In his previous book, Queer In America: Sex, the Media, and the Closets of Power, he examines three closets that keep gays invisible: the media in New York, politics in Washington, and entertainment in Hollywood. Michelangelo is also a monthly feature writer for the national magazine publication OUT. His work, which range from essays on rural life in gay America to a dissection of violence in the community is a touchstone for a new generation of gays and lesbians and a clarion call for mainstream America.

At 25 years old, Wilson Cruz has already accomplished much in his life. Perhaps best known for his portrayal of "Ricki Vasquez", one of the main starring characters on the television series "My So Called Life", Wilson's character was the first gay teenager to be featured in a regular series. As such, Wilson takes his responsibility seriously. He is a gay youth advocate and was a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Gay Community Center's teen program, where he worked regularly with homeless gay and lesbian teenagers. He knows this territory full well as he himself was thrown out of his own house for being a gay teenager. Wilson is a strong voice for compassion and understanding. His presentation breaks down into three parts where he speaks about his professional life as one of the few Latino characters in television not to mention a gay Latino character. He also takes an in depth look at his personal life and the coming out issues he faced in a Latino culture. Finally, Wilson talks about his volunteer life where he devotes his time to working on homelessness and bringing to light the specific problems youth face today in America.

Shane Windmeyer, co-editor of Out on Fraternity Row: Personal Accounts of Being Gay in a College Fraternity speaks candidly about his experience on coming out to his fraternity and how homophobia hurts everyone. Gay or straight, Greek or non-Greek... Shane opens the closet door that traditionally keeps students silent on issues surrounding sexual orientation. He combines humor and his own personal experiences to destroy stereotypes that perpetuate homophobia and sheds light on an often closeted segment of the college Greek community. This interactive, fun, and thought-provoking presentation explores some of the myths about being gay and allows for a greater understanding of sexual orientation among all college students.

Perhaps no topic stirs the imagination as the legalization of same-sex marriage. In this veritable minefield of tradition versus progress, ten years ago attorney Craig Dean filed the first discrimination suit to legalize same-sex marriage in over thirty years when his marriage license application to his partner was denied by the District of Columbia because both parties were men. Since then he has been speaking out on issues affecting gay and lesbian couples and has become a powerful advocate for legalization of gay marriages. His presentation gives a historical background to same-sex marriage, places it in the context of society and the modern gay civil rights movement, and discusses what the future may hold. Craig is currently the Executive Director of the Equal Marriage Rights Fund, and President of Outright Speakers & Talent Bureau. He also does motivational presentations on "Coming Out" and "Living with Pride" utilizing his own life experience to illustrate the benefits of living with equality, dignity, and respect. As well, he has developed a presentation specifically geared to training professional college staff members on gay and lesbian issues.

In 1992 Charles Perez made his first television appearance when he dated Norman on the first Real World on MTV. Although the relationship lasted only a few weeks, it was to be fateful for the yet to be talk show host. A member of ACT UP and Queer Nation, Charles's life took a turn for the closet when he was offered his own talk show, The Charles Perez Show and later became host of American Journal. And so began the second coming out odyssey for a man who marched for gay rights, but seemed unable to come out later as a public figure. Fear of job loss and the hurting of his career kept him from being out, but not for long. Charles's presentation is the truth about Hollywood, homosexuality, and a very personal experience of overcoming internalized homophobia.

Eric Marcus is one of the best known gay journalists and authors in the country. He co-authored Greg Louganis' biography Breaking the Surface. His other well known titles include: Is it a Choice?: Answers to 300 of the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Gays and Lesbians, Making History: The Struggle for Gay and Lesbian Equal Rights, 1945 to 1990, an Oral History, and The Male Couple's Guide. Eric's presentation strips away ancient myths and misconceptions in a clear common sense way about gay people and what they want. He also has developed a coming out presentation entitled "Secrets: Why We Keep Them and How They Hurt Us". Eric is currently working on a new book The Gay and Lesbian Almanac.

Blayne Bell is a new up and coming music artist who has a style all his own and has recently opened concerts for Thea Austin, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, The Darrell McCall Band, and many more. The energy and enthusiasm of his music are genuine. He performs music to express his hope for social harmony and to uplift people everywhere and to reach out to people of all ages. The music styles range from pop, rock, contemporary, alternative, Christian, and jazz. Blayne received recognition throughout the country in Christian music and although he still performs and records gospel and contemporary Christian music, he has expanded his talents. Blayne's program is a combination of music interspersed with his own life story about coming out in the Christian culture. His message is clear " it is not what you are...but who you are that matters".

Chris Beckman was bucking for a promotion at a now defunct dot-com in Boston when his friends at his gym persuaded him to audition for MTV's The Real World. Chris ended up as a cast member for the Chicago episodes. Many of that season's episodes explored deeper into Chris's recovery from alcoholism to a burgeoning relationship. Chris has since been the recipient of the Congressman Gerry E. Studs Visibility Award for being a positive role model in the gay community. He is now on the lecture circuit and studying to be an actor. Chris says "I have a responsibility to talk about where my life was and where it is today."

According to Danny Roberts, the only thing worth watching on television today is The Learning Channel. Danny knows about the impact of TV as a former cast member of MTV's Real World New Orleans. Danny describes his presentation style as an "open forum to talk about issues", which is why The Advocate has dubbed him "The Accidental Activist". Danny candidly speaks to young people about his sexuality and coming out, just as he did on the Real World. Although if you ask him, Danny will not say he is a role model, but his likeability and down home charm will appeal to both gay and straight communities and bridge the gap for open and honest discussion.