LGBTQ+ activist and gun safety advocate Brandon Wolf shares his powerful story of self-discovery, community, love, and resilience in the face of adversity. A survivor of the Pulse Night Club mas shooting, Brandon faced an unimaginable tragedy and shares his transformative journey from young outsider to galvanizing activist. “With our backs against the wall,” he says, “we find a way out together.”

In this talk, Brandon takes the audience on a journey from growing up as a queer, Black man in America to finding chosen family and belonging thousands of miles from home to narrowly escaping the tragic shooting at Pulse Nightclub. The group will explore how to do more than simply survive adversity by turning pain into purpose and acknowledging that with our backs against the wall, we only find the way out together. 

This conversation, designed for businesses, organizations, and equity initiatives, explores the untapped individual and team potential when we create spaces that foster authenticity. When we are able to bring our whole selves to our work without fear of shame or discrimination, the possibilities are endless.

As the country comes to terms with the task of creating an inclusive democracy, Brandon’s insight into the power of advocating authentically and at the intersections of identities is invaluable. This presentation explores the need for intersectionality in movement building; the limitless power of sharing our authentic stories and the links between the multiple crises facing our nation. There has never been a more urgent time to bring new voices to the table.

After decades of progress on LGBTQ equality, the nation is reeling from intense backlash against the community. This talk breaks down current legislative and social efforts to unwind progress on LGBTQ issues, identifies the key players, and explores what it will take to move the country forward once more.