The Role of Communicators in Protecting LGBTQ+ Rights: A conversation covering history, politics, and culture

Over the last few years states have advanced a record number of bills that attack LGBTQ rights, especially transgender youth. In the 2023 legislative session alone, the ACLU is tracking 474 anti-LGBTQ bills in the U.S. Politicians are fighting to restrict how and when LGBTQ people can be themselves, limiting access to books about them and trying to ban or censor performances like drag shows. Healthcare bills attempt to block funding to medical centers that offer gender-affirming care, or block insurance coverage of health care for transgender people. Simultaneously, corporations and organizations are gearing up for Pride, launching their yearly rainbow efforts, with companies like Target unveiling their pride collections of merchandise and apparel.

In this session, panelists grapple with the paradox of the contemporary moment, where legislatively LGB—but specifically T(rans)—identities are under fire, and organization are grappling with what this means for how they engage with LGBTQ stakeholders. 

Thursday, June 15, 2023 6pm ET
Watch the video

Panelists (in alphabetical order)

Thanks to our Sponsors

The LGBTQ Experience in Public Relations 2023 was sponsored in part by: the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication Department of Advertising and Public Relations at University of Georgia; RenewPR; FINN Partners; Google; the Diversity Action Alliance (DAA); The Bonnie Yablon Foundation; and CommPRO.