35 Illuminating LGBTQ Panel Discussion Questions to Spark Conversation

Since October is LGBTQ History Month (not to be confused with Pride Month held in June), there will probably be plenty of panels discussing the importance of diversity and LGBTQ issues.

So here are my top 35 potential LGTBQ panel discussion questions for Pride Month or LGBTQ History Month. You will not ask them all, but perhaps they might provide some inspiration as you develop your own list.

LGBTQ Panel Discussion Questions

1. What does LGBTQQIP2SAA stand for?
2. What is the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity?
3. How do you see more/less acceptance of LGBTQ in society?
4. How can we build an atmosphere of inclusion, regardless of our personal or religious views?

Benefits/Consequences

5. Why are “firsts” important to note? What other barrier breakers have you witnessed in your lifetime?
6. Since many national figures have come out, is it easier for employees in your organization to come out?
7. What is the biggest or most common misconception about trans people?

LGBTQ Panel Discussion Questions about the Journey

8. What kinds of things might a person who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender go through when coming out?
9. What kinds of things might a trans person go through when they begin to acknowledge their true gender identity?
10. When was the moment you knew? The moment that everything sort of crystallized?
11. What was the most difficult part of physically transitioning?
12. How did you choose your names?
13. What is life like for you on a daily basis?

Questions on How to Show Support

14. What should I do if I think someone is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, but they haven’t told me?
15. How do I make myself more approachable to people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender? What do I do if someone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender wants to come out in my office, on my residence hall floor, or within the context of any other group I am a part of?
16. How can I support LGBTQ people without my own sexual orientation becoming an issue?
17. How can I get others to be more open-minded about LGBTQ people?
18. How can I best support trans people even if I’m not comfortable approaching them or am not close to any trans people?
19. In your coming out process, what would be the best thing for others to say?
20. How do I address someone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender without offending them?
21. How do I help trans kids and other trans people to build confidence?

Questions for LGBTQ Allies

22. As a member of the LGBTQ community, how can I be a better ally to other marginalized groups within the LGBTQ community?
23. Is it counterproductive when potential allies expect you to ask them NICELY for their allyship?
24. Where are some other spaces I can step up as an ally to trans people?
25. How can we use our resource groups to reach out to the LGBTQ community and its allies, internally and externally?

Questions on How to Respond

26. How should I respond to heterosexual friends or coworkers who feel negatively about a person who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender in our office, on our residence hall floor, or in any group I am a part of?
27. What should I say to someone who is afraid of contracting HIV/AIDS from LGBTQ people?
28. How should I respond to rumors that someone is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender?
29. How can I respond when someone tells a homophobic joke?
30. How can I respond to homophobic and transphobic attitudes?
31. How can I respond to people who object to LGBTQ people for religious reasons?
32. What active role should the company play when offensive comments occur?
33. What other phrases have you heard, often uttered “innocently,” in the workplace that are offensive to LGBTQ people (comments like “That’s so gay” or “I don’t care about a person’s sexual preference”)?

LGBTQ Panel Discussion Questions about Application to the Audience

34. If someone wants advice on what to tell their roommate, friends, or family about being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender how can I help?
35. What do you wish the public knew about transgender people?

A big thank you to KGH Interpretation and Kent State University for their inspiration in building this fabulous list of LGBTQ panel discussion questions!

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For more information about how to moderate a lively & informative leadership panel discussion, check out our free 7-part video series on how to moderate a panel and other resources to help you organize, moderate, or be a panel member.

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