BGSQDBureau of General Services—Queer Division
BGSQD
Why do so many people reject those who are different?
Though the mainstream acceptance of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Queer community has made great improvements over the past few years, many groups within our society still respond to the LGBTQ+ community with an overwhelming reaction of “us” vs. “them.” Despite the progress that has been made, hatred, misunderstanding, aggression, animosity, and violence still affect this community on a deep level. A strong ally, Lynda Wolters knows firsthand: she has come to have a deep respect for the community through her son, who is gay.
Including highly personal anecdotes, Voices of LGBTQ+: A Conversation Starter for Understanding, Supporting, and Protecting Gay, Bi, Trans, and Queer People outlines some of the most critical challenges the community faces today, with insights into:
• Homelessness
• Hate crimes
• Suicide
• Economic challenges
• Discrimination and lack of equality
• Religious and biblical conflicts
Though judgment and divisiveness still run deep, Wolters highlights the first key distinction that will help eradicate bigotry: those who are different are not choosing to be, they simply are, and it’s our differences that make us stronger. Voices of LGBTQ+ helps educate, dispel fears, and start positive conversations about what knowing, loving, or simply peacefully and positively coexisting with someone in the LGBTQ+ community truly means.
This is a free event, but the authors encourage attendees to make a donation of any amount to support the Bureau’s work. You can make a donation when you register for the event. Thank you for your support!
Registration for this event is required.
On the day of the event, Saturday, September 26, the Bureau will send an email to all who have registered with the link to the event on Zoom.
Paintings featured in the event flyer and on the book cover by Chris Taylor.
@artistchris on Instagram
Mascot Books, 2020, Hardcover, $24.95
Participants:
Lynda was born and raised in a tiny farming community of four hundred in northern Idaho, where she worked on the family farm. After high school, she traveled to New York to be a nanny for a few months before moving to Las Vegas to further her education. She moved back home to Idaho to raise her three sons while working in the legal field, a career that spanned over thirty years.
Watching her gay son navigate the LGBTQ+ community and the world in general, Lynda recognized a need to educate through a parent’s eye, what LGBTQ+ people endure that others are immune or ignorant to simply because of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Lynda lives in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and long-haired dachshund, Tucker “Bug,” where she spends her days writing and volunteering.
Voices of LGBTQ+ is the second in the Voices Book Series, following the successful, Voices of Cancer.
Shannon grew up in a very conservative sector of Eastern Idaho where it was not encouraged or allowed to live an authentic life if that life were different than outwardly perceived.
Shannon attended the University of Idaho where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelors degree in electrical engineering and has worked in the STEM field for twenty years. She is a Senior Member of Technical Staff managing a team of software developers for an international company.
As a transgender woman, Shannon proudly represents her community and strives to be a positive example for other women and girls like her.
When asked to describe himself, Hunter’s initial comment is, “I am kind.” Finishing up his bachelors in molecular biology, Hunter has worked his way through school as a server and barista, working most recently as a regional trainer for a large, national coffee chain.
When not studying or working, Hunter enjoys all things outdoors and has a newfound interest in ballet, recently being cast as Beast in a Beauty and the Beast production.
Hunter is a gay man who lives comfortably out to the world. He shares his time and space with his two fur-babies.