Past Speakers
Kevin Newbury – a theatre, opera and film director based in New York City. Kevin’s work focuses on issues of community, empathy and social justice, with a particular focus on our shared LGBTQAI+ history and education. After extensive research into The Lavender Scare and this neglected period in American history, he developed a new opera, FELLOW TRAVELERS based on that learning and around Thomas Mallon’s book of the same name.
2020 – 2021 Scholarship Presentation
Video of Kevin Newbury’s presentation and 2020-2021 Scholarship Presentation via YouTube (Coming Soon)
Reverend James A. Conrad, Jr. – Pastor of Towne View Baptist Church in Kennesaw, Georgia, tells the story of his congregation’s acceptance of a same sex couple and the church’s expulsion from the Southern Baptist Convention. (June)
Video of Reverend Conrad’s presentation via YouTube
Peter Montgomery – People for the American Way (May)
Chris Godfrey – former Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner (April)
Dr. Virginia “Ginger” Campbell – hosts podcasts Graying Rainbows (Coming Out Later in Life) and Brain Science. (March)
Video of Dr. Campbell’s presentation via YouTube
Brian Bond – Executive Director, PFLAG, https://pflag.org/ (February)
Eric Marcus – Making Gay History author and podcaster, https://makinggayhistory.com/ (January)
2020
Romen Borsellino – writer, executive producer, and the Co-creator of Freeform’s Kal Penn Approves This Message (December)
Jane Clementi – co-founder of the Tyler Clementi Foundation, https://tylerclementi.org/ (November)
Hon. Rob Sand – State of Iowa Auditor (October)
Ambassador Luis C. deBaca (Retired) – former head of the U.S. State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons during the Obama Administration (September)
Tim Thompson – ManKind Project GTBQ Gateway New Warrior Training Adventures, https://mankindpride.mkpusa.org/ (August)
Dr. Ryan Wise – Dean of Education, Drake University (June)
Hon. Mark W. Bennett – Ret U.S. District Judge and Director, Institute for Justice Reform & Innovation, Drake University Law School (May)
Ted Corrigan – CEO and General Manager, Des Moines Waterworks – Operation During Global Pandemic (April)
Troy Price – Former Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party (March)
Courtney Rayes – Executive Director, One Iowa, https://oneiowa.org/ (February)
Senator Claire Celsi – State of Iowa Legislator (January)
Click here for the audio of some of the past speakers prior to 2020
Speaker Recommendations: If you have a recommendation for a speaker for a future First Friday Breakfast Club meeting please email to [email protected], providing information about the potential speaker, and contact information for them. Your contact information would be appreciated as well.
Volunteer To Be A Speaker: If you would liked to volunteer to be a speaker, please send an email to [email protected] with your name, contact information, and the topic of your presentation.