Leading Queer

A former educator, Collins represents school boards, private schools, and public and private colleges and universities in litigation in state and federal courts and administrative agencies, such as the Office of Administrative Hearings and the Office of Civil Rights. He is also a consultant, mediator, and trainer who works at the intersection of law, human behavior, and institutional culture. Collins has a particular passion for children and families navigating special education and civil rights matters involving access to education, disability discrimination, mental health, and protections for LGBTQ+ youth. Known for his strategic clarity and relational approach, he brings both litigation skill and deep emotional intelligence to high-stakes advocacy.

To beat the heat, the BQLP sits down with Dr. Ron Buckmire to talk about how cool Math can truly be.

Dr. Ron Buckmire is the Dean of the School of Computer Science and Mathematics at Marist University. Ron has been a professor and Associate Dean at Occidental College as well as a Program Director at the National Science Foundation. Importantly, Ron has been a longtime advocate for the LGBTQ+ community since coming out in college at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has passionately advocated on behalf of historically excluded youth, particularly LGBTQ+ and racial/ethnic minorities, interested in participating in Math and other STEM disciplines. Ron is a Fellow of and Vice-President for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the prestigious Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). He is also a co-founder and board member of Spectra, the association for LGBTQ+ mathematicians and their allies. 

This month, the BQLP sits down with a Canadian legend, second to Céline Dion herself!

"Albert McLeod is a Status Indian with ancestry from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Metis communities of Cross Lake and Norway House in northern Manitoba. One of the founders of the Two‐Spirited People of Manitoba, Albert began his 2Spirit advocacy in Winnipeg in 1986 and became an HIV/AIDS activist in 1987. He was the director of the Manitoba Aboriginal AIDS Task Force from 1991 to 2001. In 2018, Albert received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Winnipeg. He was also a member of the sub‐working group that produced the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan Report in 2020–21. In 2020, Albert joined Team Thunderhead, the team that won the international competition to design the 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument. Based in Winnipeg, Albert works as a consultant specializing in Indigenous peoples, 2Spirit history and identity, cultural reclamation and cross‐cultural training."

Learn more at 2spiritconsultants.ca

https://humanrights.ca/author/albert-mcleod

Who says religion and queer leadership don't mix? In today's episode, the BQLP chats with Revrend Wanda Floyd of the Metropolitan Community church, based in Las Vegas Nevada.

"Rev. Wanda Floyd has over 20 years’ experience which reflects a balanced approach to healthy church life, coupled with a Master’s of Divinity degree. Strong and proven track record in church work through excellent performance as a lay minister, pastoral leader, associate pastor and full-time pastor. Experience working with church leaders, membership, and community organizations to promote Jesus Christ in the world, while leading the church through effective communication and engagement."

''Love MCC was founded in 1978 in Las Vegas, and have been working to reach those who are seeking to grow in their spiritual journey. For over 45 years, we have held services to experience the Holy in new and creative ways. We are not like other churches! Many of our people have come from backgrounds that say they are unloved, or even worse, hated by those around them. Some have faced rejection from their biological families, because of who they express themselves to be authentically, or because of whom they love and spend their lives in love. We know first hand that the love of Christ, can break through barriers and restore folks to a loving relationship with our Creator and with others. ''

https://www.lovemcclv.org/our-team

Did you miss us? Because we sure missed you!

Leading Queer is happy to back and better than ever at our new location, Simon's Rock at Bard College.

For our first episode of the new year, Leading Queer is joined by our guest–Simon’s Rock alum, artist, publisher, educator, personal care attendant, working-class advocate, and newly elected Holyoke Ward 3 City Councilmember, Anne Thalheimer. Anne Thalheimer is also an outspoken supporter of gun control, as a survivor of gun violence on Simon's Rock campus in 1992.

https://simons-rock.edu/

Prepare for a truly electrifying-- or should we say ZAPPING-- episode with Mark Segal.

Mark is a veteran of the gay rights movement, participating in the 1969 Stonewall uprising, known traditionally as the event marking the beginning of the movement in the United States. Mark was a member of the Gay Action Group (later part of the Gay Liberation Front) and a leader of Gay Youth during his 3 years in NY. He became a Gay Raider, zapping high profile celebrities to increase the visibility of the gay community. His greatest impact has been on our hometown, Philadelphia, where he served as political chair of the Philadelphia Gay Activist Alliance, and founded as well as publishes the Philadelphia Gay News. He is also the author of And Then I Danced: Traveling the Road to LGBT Equality, a wonderful memoir detailing his experiences as a gay rights activist. As recently as June 14, 2025, Mark was one of the signatories of a statement from the Gay Liberation Front Foundation protesting egregious acts of the Trump administration against marginalized communities.

https://www.marksegalstonewall.com/

Happy Pride Month, Leaders! This month we are thrilled to provide TWO episodes for your listening pleasure. Call it a Pride gift from us to you!

For our first Pride episode, the BQLP sits down with two-time U.S. Figure Skating Champion Amber Glenn. In addition to her 2024 and 2025 U.S championships, Amber topped the podium at the 2024 Grand Prix Final. Amber began skating at the age of five, won the U.S. junior championship in 2014, and became the sixth U.S. woman to land the triple Axel in 2023. Whether is shattering the Ice Princesses image or advocating for mental health, Amber is a force to be reckoned with on and off the ice.

https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/amber-glenn

Season 2 already? How time flies!

This month, the BQLP had the pleasure of chatting with today’s leading queer, our guest and incredible friend of the BQLP, Schuyler Bailar. Schuyler is an internationally-celebrated inspirational speaker, bestselling author, and advocate for trans inclusion, radical body acceptance, and mental health awareness. Schuyler, along with our Episode 6 guest, Jim Fielding, was one of the first queer leaders we were honored to have as a guest for the BQLP Queer Leaders Vision Forum.https://www.pinkmantaray.com/

This month, we sat down with Jackson Lewis to discuss what it means to be young and politically active.

At age 19, Jackson became the youngest elected official in Utah’s history. Note, this is youngest ever vs. simply the youngest LGBTQIA+ individual. Jackson represents District 1 on the Canyons School Board. We chatted with Jackson about his first few months on the School Board, what inspired him to run, and how to stand firm in the age of the internet.

A reminder and encouragement that it is never too early to become politically engaged!

Can you feel the love? We certainly can! This month, the Leading Queer team has the pleasure of chatting with Bob Witeck. Bob is a seasoned communicator, public speaker, counselor, public affairs professional, speechwriter as well as a trusted crisis communications expert. Bob authored Business Inside Out: Tapping Millions of Brand-Loyal Gay Consumers, recognized as the first book advising marketers and business leaders on building successful bridges with LGBT stakeholders. He also worked with the Human Rights Campaign to develop the prototype for its Corporate Equality Index, a benchmarking tool that rates businesses based on social responsibility, internal policies and employee benefits with a specific focus on LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Bob served five appointed terms on the board of directors for the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. He has also served on the boards of directors of such prestigious LGBTQ+ organizations as GLAAD, GLSEN and Virginia’s LGBT Tourism Task Force. He currently serves on the Board of Visitors of George Mason University and Board of Directors of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.