Matt Baume, Speaker

About Me

Hi! My talks delve into entertainment history, diversity and inclusion, queer heritage, and how pop culture can inspire people to contribute to a better world.

I’m available for in-person and virtual presentations, and I’m happy to customize presentations to your particular audience and needs.

Get in touch via email here.

Available Talks

I’m happy to customize my talks for your audience, and to work with you on crafting new presentations that meet your organization’s needs.

How Queer Sitcoms Changed the World (And How it Could Happen Again)

Enjoy a guided tour through the history of queer characters on American sitcoms! With clips from All in the Family, Cheers, Will & Grace, and more, this presentation highlights the ways in which laughter and comedy have been effective tools for spurring positive cultural change and fostering a more inclusive world. Audiences will hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about the making of iconic TV shows and their surprising real-world impact, as well as discover communication techniques that anyone can bring to their creative work, professional communications, and day-to-day life.

Thank You for Being a Friend: The Enduring Queer Joy of the Golden Girls

The Golden Girls are so much more than four funny ladies! Between the laughs, their ‘80s sitcom is loaded with life lessons about being an effective ally to the queer community. Whether helping friends to come out on their own terms, understanding the importance of legal equality, or combating the stigma around HIV, these women were steadfast allies both on TV and real life. This presentation features clips from some of The Golden Girls’ funniest and most meaningful scenes, and takes audiences on a guided tour of various ways that anyone can support and uplift marginalized communities.

Television’s Best Coming Out Scenes (and Why Coming Out Matters)

Whether with awkward confessions, sympathetic support, or jubilant celebrations, television shows have tackled LGBTQ+ coming out stories from every conceivable angle — and as a result, have plenty to teach us. This presentation delves into television history to show how the act of coming out has been depicted in decades past and today. Along the way, audiences will gain an appreciation for the best (and worst) ways to foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable being themselves. 

Where Does Queer Pride Come From? (And What’s the Right Way to Celebrate?)

Although many organizations host Pride events, not everyone knows why these events are so important or how best to participate. The solution: A fast, fun exploration of Pride history that illuminates the reasons for the annual protests, parties, and parades. Using archival footage, historical news coverage, and moving personal stories, this presentation will help everyone make the most out of Pride, from newcomers to seasoned pros. Audiences will gain a new understanding of LGBTQ+ history, best practices for respectful inclusion, and guidance for balancing politics with parties. 

Past Speaking Events

Matt giving a talk at the Chicago Public Library

  • Corporate: Sony; Expedia; Electronic Arts; Roblox; PBS SoCal; Cedar Inc.; Redesign Health; Lulus

  • Educational: University Book Store/University of Washington; Bellevue College; Chapman University

  • Libraries: Chicago Public Library; Seattle Public Library

  • Bookstores: The Strand, NYC; Book Soup, Los Angeles; Elliott Bay, Seattle; Powell’s Books, Portland

  • Conferences & Conventions: South by Southwest; PAX West; Emerald City Comic-Con; National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association; Game Developers Conference; Lyst; DragCon; HavenCon; GaymerX

  • Community Groups: PFLAG; Camp Rehoboth LGBTQIA+ Book Group

Feedback From Audiences

  • “Matt put on a fantastic presentation for my company about the queer history of The Golden Girls that was enjoyed by people across the company. His talk appealed to all ages and all types of people and it was something people were talking about for weeks after the presentation.”
    - Sean Todd, Chief Information Security Officer at PayNearMe

  • “Matt brought the topic of Queer Representation on Television to life with his engaging and interactive presentation, which he kindly tailored a bit to what we thought would be interesting to our LGBTQ+ ERG. Matt is very knowledgeable on the subject, and a fantastic, fun, and funny presenter. Additionally, communication with Matt was great. We’d be happy to bring Matt back to our group as a guest again.”
    - JP Shields, Senior Director, Communications & Policy at PBS SoCal | KCET

  • “Matt does an incredible job shedding light on how queerness has always been around, even in places you may not have noticed. He shows audiences how TV has impacted the LGBTQIA+ community in its many diversities and celebrates the shows that get it right! Book him now!”
    - Taylor Aucott, Executive Assistant, People Experience Enthusiast, and Culture Champion at Redesign Health

  • “Without a doubt, it was the best discussion we have had.”
    - Jeff Wilkinson, Camp Rehoboth LGBTQIA+ Book Group