Available to book
Transform workplace culture with Matthew Baume, speaker and queer cultural historian. Matthew works with organizations to leverage media representation and inclusive storytelling, delivering GLAAD-nominated insights and Lambda Literary Award-winning expertise on diversity and cultural acceptance.
Matthew Baume is a Seattle-based writer, YouTuber, and podcaster who illuminates queer history through the lens of popular culture, revealing how entertainment has shaped social progress and understanding.
Author of the Lambda Literary Award-winning book Hi Honey, I'm Homo! and Defining Marriage, Matt has established himself as a respected cultural historian. His work has been featured on CNN, with The New York Times recognizing him as "thoughtful and thorough... informative and funny," and he received a GLAAD award nomination for his journalism.
Matt helps organizations navigate today's complex social landscape by uncovering the historical connections between media representation and cultural acceptance. His analysis of how sitcoms and entertainment have influenced public perception provides businesses with valuable insights into fostering inclusive environments and authentic communication strategies that resonate across diverse audiences.
Audiences leave Matt's presentations with practical frameworks for recognizing media's role in shaping cultural attitudes, tools for building bridges between different perspectives in workplace settings, and inspiring examples of how storytelling can transform organizational culture. His engaging approach makes complex social history accessible and immediately applicable.
Book Matt Baume to give your team the historical context and practical tools needed to build a more connected, collaborative organizational culture.
Topics, sessions and talks
Matthew Baume will explore how comedy enhances communication in creative projects and everyday interactions through a guided tour of queer characters in American sitcoms. By showcasing clips from All in the Family, Cheers, and Will & Grace, he will illustrate how humor serves as a powerful tool for cultural change and inclusivity. Attendees will learn how laughter can improve their communication skills and promote a more inclusive environment in their own lives.
Matthew Baume explores how The Golden Girls serves as a powerful resource for supporting marginalized communities. Beyond their humor, the show's lessons on allyship, equality, and combating stigma, particularly around HIV, resonate deeply. Through engaging clips from memorable scenes, Baume highlights the importance of being a steadfast ally in both personal and professional settings. Attendees will learn practical ways to uplift and advocate for their friends and colleagues, drawing inspiration from these iconic characters.
In this presentation, Matthew Baume explores the evolution of coming-out scenes in television, highlighting how these narratives have addressed LGBTQ+ experiences through various lenses, from awkward confessions to joyful celebrations. Attendees will learn effective strategies for fostering inclusive environments where individuals feel safe to express themselves, as well as the best practices for delivering and receiving sensitive news while avoiding common pitfalls. This session promises valuable insights into the impact of media on personal stories.
Matthew Baume presents a dynamic exploration of Pride history, highlighting the balance between politics and celebration. Through archival footage, historical news coverage, and personal narratives, he sheds light on the significance of protests, parties, and parades. This engaging talk is designed for both newcomers and seasoned attendees, offering insights into LGBTQ+ history and best practices for respectful inclusion. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of Pride's roots and how to honor its legacy effectively.
Matthew Baume discusses the significant evolution of media portrayals of queer youth over the past sixty years, highlighting the transition from invisibility to celebration. This presentation is tailored for schools, youth groups, and caregivers, providing insights into how societal changes and social movements have influenced these representations. Attendees will learn about the historical context of queer youth in media and the importance of positive representation in fostering acceptance and support for young people today.
Matthew Baume illuminates how entertainment shapes cultural acceptance, providing teams with practical frameworks for inclusive communication and organizational culture through his award-winning analysis of queer history in popular media. Book this respected cultural historian to give your team the historical context and practical tools needed to build a more connected, collaborative workplace that resonates across diverse audiences.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
To book Matthew Baume, email matthew.baume@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Matthew's availability and speaking fee. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and about your audience.
Matthew Baume structures his presentations around curated television clips — drawn from programmes such as All in the Family, Cheers, Will & Grace, and The Golden Girls — which he uses as primary source material to trace the relationship between media representation and cultural change. Each session pairs the clip analysis with practical frameworks that attendees can apply to communication and inclusion within their own organisations.
Matthew Baume's sessions cover queer representation in American sitcoms, allyship and LGBTQ+ advocacy, and the cultural significance of coming-out narratives in television. He is the Lambda Literary Award-winning author of Hi Honey, I'm Homo!, and his work has been featured on CNN and recognised by The New York Times.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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