A Sampler of SPEAKOUT Audience Comments:

The presentation is down to earth and personal. That hits home, making people truly think about the power of the language they use.

Thank you for being who you are and sharing your stories with us. Thanks for your courage and support. Live on kind people!

Try to contact churches, since many of them are so opposed. They seem to miss their own message of being forgiving or non-judgmental. They push away gay people who are believers or spiritual. This makes me angry!

Teens need to hear this message more.

The presentation was wonderful. I learned more about issues that I was unclear on before, and it changed my attitude to the way I see people.

Hearing personal stories is the best possible way to move towards less oppression, more acceptance.

I hope what SpeakOut has done and is doing will continue to grow. It is most important!

It was really interesting to hear someone speak about gaynessŠ I have never talked to gay people.

I'm sure you are making a difference in many lives by reaching out and letting others know you as individuals, not as stereotypes. I hope you continue going to schools.

Keep up the good work! This is the kind of work that changes minds and hearts.

Excellent! About time that people can talk about their preferences without feeling discriminated against.

I don't belong to many organizations, but I will say great things about Speakout to anyone who will listen. What a difference this could make. You couldn't help having a greater understanding after attending one of these sessions.

Dan was a fantastic speaker, and most of the folks present were significantly moved by his story. We will certainly keep MSOP in mind in the future. Thanks for all the great work that you do!
Yours in pride,
Rick Woodcock
GLBT Community Liaison
University of Maine, Orono

Yesterday was excellent! Claire was a great resource, and CJ was great also. Thank you so much for calling me. I want to do a speak out with my Civil Rights Team as well and would love to have both of them back. The kids all said that it was great!
Jen Braunfels
Edward Little HS, Auburn

I just wanted to send a note to say how much my students and I enjoyed the presentations given by Tim and Natasha. They are outstanding presenters and I hope you will convey to them my heartfelt thanks for a job well done. Also, thanks to you for the logistical support in coordinating this speaking engagement. The Maine Speakout Project has done a commendable job by helping to educate students and community members about gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgendered issues.
Don Lynch,
Associate Professor of Psychology
Unity College