With the success of award-winning shows like FX’s Pose and CBC’s Schitt’s Creek, we have seen an overwhelming interest in LGBTQ+ stories in film and television. Is this enough to create cultural change and erase stigmas about the LGBTQ+ community?
As communicators, we have a responsibility to represent all communities with dignity and respect. Our panelists will share their insights on how these stories have been told, what is working now, and where we need to improve.
Panelists:
Kelly Jenkins, host and producer of Kelly's Quest - The Transnational Journey
Kelly Jenkins is a public speaker, middle school educator, and fierce advocate for transgender youth. For the last eighteen years she has navigated the public educational systems in both Tennessee and Massachusetts as a transgender woman. Kelly works closely with a number of school systems in Massachusetts developing curriculum that is more inclusive for LGBTQ youth.
She is the host and producer of her own award-winning TV program "Kelly's Quest: The Transnational Journey" at Acton TV. The show travels the nation recording the stories of transgender people who are breaking barriers and shares them with a wider audience.
Rev. Irene Monroe, public theologian, syndicated columnist and co-host of NPR's podcast, All Rev'd Up
Rev. Irene Monroe is a public theologian, ordained minister, syndicated columnist, and can be heard on the podcast and standing Boston Public Radio segment ALL REV’D UP on GBH 89.7 FM. Monroe is the Boston voice for Detour’s African American Heritage Trail and History UnErased.
Monroe is the first African American and black lesbian as Grand Marshall of Boston Pride. Monroe was instrumental in Union United Methodist Church, a predominately African American congregation located in Boston’s South End — once the epicenter of the city’s LGBTQ community — becoming the first a “reconciling and inclusive” congregation. She pastored at an African-American church in New Jersey before coming to Harvard Divinity School to do her doctorate as a Ford Fellow in the 1990s.
Monroe is a founder and now member emeritus of several national LGBTQ+ black and religious organizations. As an activist, Monroe has received numerous awards. Her papers are at the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe College’s Research Library on the History of Women in America.
Cathy Renna, communications director at National LGBTQ Task Force and principal of Target Cue
Cathy Renna is a veteran in the communications industry, and currently serves as the Principal of Target Cue. Since her time at GLAAD in the 1990’s and early aughts, Cathy has executed her particular expertise in crisis and strategic communications, playing a central role in shaping nearly all major issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, from the beating death of Matthew Shepard in 1998 to the fight for marriage equality and the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”.
She worked with the team that coordinated historic coverage for WorldPride/Stonewall 50, working with NYC Pride. In 2020, she was part of the team that organized the historic Global Pride, a 26 hour virtual event that was viewed by 57 million people around the Globe. She is currently serving as Communications Director at the National LGBTQ Task Force.
After leaving her position at GLAAD as National News Media Director, Cathy joined Fenton Communications, where she served as its New York office Media Director from 2004 to 2006. She went on to found Renna Communications and co-found Target Cue that same year.In her over 25 years of media relations and activism experience, Cathy has garnered placements in every major online and broadcast outlet in the country, including The New York Times, USA Today, The Associated Press, and the Washington Post. She is a sought-after spokesperson for LGBTQ issues, and has appeared on the O’Reilly Factor, CNN, MSNBC, NY1 and Good Morning America. Most recently she was profiled in Forbes Women as a “Queer PR Icon” and received the Outstanding Certified LGBTBE® Award from the NY chapter of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
Moderator:
William Feldman (COM '75), senior counselor at Legend Labs, LLC
Bill Feldman is a Washington, D.C.-based lawyer and former journalist of 25 years who helps clients navigate communications challenges in environments where litigation, liability, and regulations can pose significant risks. He has worked with clients on the Fukushima nuclear crisis, higher education (including athletics and Title IX issues), healthcare and pharmaceuticals, banking and finance, sports/entertainment, and more. He has worked internationally to help manage human rights issues for a global telecom firm, providing communications counsel for several major law firms regarding cyber breaches and ransomware attacks on their clients, and the development of crisis preparedness programs for several Fortune 500 organizations. His work has included Senior Counsel affiliation with several firms, including Legend Labs, PulsePoint Group, and ICF Next.
The webinar will be conducted using the online Zoom webinar platform. Access information and additional instructions on using the Zoom platform will be provided via email upon successful registration. This webinar is open to all members of the BU community including alumni, students, faculty, and staff.