This annual event highlights issues related to LGBTQIA+ identities and inclusion. The lecture brings prominent speakers, scholars, and advocates to campus to engage the community in meaningful conversations about sexual orientation, gender identity, and belonging. The event serves as an opportunity for the members of the UNH Community to learn, reflect, and deepen their understanding of diverse experiences.
The Kidder Lecture is followed by the LGBTQ+ Resource Fair. It brings together various on-campus departments and community-based organizations to highlight resources for members of the LGBTQ+ Members of the UNH Community and allies.
The Kidder Lecture is supported by the Kidder Fund, established by William “Bill” Kidder, a UNH alumnus and former associate dean of students. The fund supports educational initiatives, awards, and programming that promote awareness and inclusion for individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
As a signature campus event, the Kidder Lecture and LGBTQ+ Resource Fair reflects UNH’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community for all.
For questions and additional information, please contact Ramonda "Monda" Kindle at Ramonda.Kindle@unh.edu
Register Today for the 2026 Kidder Lecture and LGBTQ+ Resource Fair!
Please fill out the Registration Form no later than 11:59pm on October 19, 2026 in order to attend the event in-person.
Virtual registrants will be accepted until Thursday, October 22, 2026
Fall 2026 Kidder Lecture and LGBTQ+ Resource Fair
We are excited to announce Queerlective Founder and Executive Director Randall Nielsen as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Kidder Lecture.
Date: Monday, October 26, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Location: Strafford Room, Memorial Union Building (MUB), Durham Campus
The Resource Fair will immediately follow the Kidder Lecture from 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm.
Please Note:
There is no cost or fee to participate
The Kidder Lecture is a hybrid-event
Lunch will be served for in-person Kidder Lecture guests
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis until the event is at capacity
This event is open to all UNH undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni
Thank You to the 2026-2027 Kidder Fund Advisory and Planning Committee
2026-2027 Chair: Ramonda Kindle, Aulbani J. Beauregard Center for Equity, Justice, and Freedom
2026-2027 Committee Members:
Marshall Ireland, Alliance Chair
Christina Juris, Undergraduate Student Senate DEI Council Chair
Sam Crawford, Graduate Student Senate Representative
Kelsey Boucher, Clinical Associate Professor, School of Social Work
Deborah Briand, Academic Department Coordinator, College of Liberal Arts
Michelle Bronner, Deputy Director and Senior Woman Administrator, Athletics
Lu Butterfield-Ferrell, Program Manager, New Hampshire Listens
Holly Cashman, Professor, Department of Languages, Literature, and Culture
Evan England, Assistant Director, Center for Social Policy in Practice
Amanda Harvey, Administrative Coordinator, UNH Office for Faculty Excellence
Sarah Leonard, Director of Child Study and Development Center, Human Development and Family Studies
Elena Long, Associate Professor, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Gregg Sanborn, UNH Alumni
Ally Twitchell, Coordinator for Student Involvement and Student Success, Manchester Campus
Kai Uchida, Assistant Professor/University Archivist, Dimond Library
Erica Vazza, Assistant Director of Engagement and Prevention, The SHARPP Center
Kidder Lecture Archives
Linds Jakows
Community Organizer
Linds Jakows discussed the importance of taking action for LGBTQIA+ Thriving: In and Outside of the Political System.
Brady Barre
Development and Communication Coordinator, New Hampshire Outright
UNH Alumnae Brady Barre discussed New Hampshire Outright and the importance of mutual aid.
Tona Brown
Internationally Acclaimed Musician and LGBTQIA+ Advocate
Tona Brown discussed her book, Tonacity: The Tona Brown Story. The event included an interview conducted by a UNH student, a Q&A, and a book signing opportunity.
Journee LaFond, Inclusive Therapist
Rachael Blansett, DEI-J Director
Oyster River, Cooperative School District
Sarah Leonard, UNH Early Childhood Teacher, UNH Child Study & Development Center
Joelle Ryan, UNH Faculty, UNH Department of Women’s & Gender Studies
Nick Ferraiolo, CPC & ELI-MP, Elm City Coaching
Noele Lee, Lecturer, Decision Sciences, Paul College
Laquincy (Lionel) Loveless, Officially Knotted Bowties, Portsmouth
Frederic Mason, Executive Director, Large Cap Sector Specialist, J.P. Morgan Asset Management
Trans UNH and UNH Stonewall Grads hosted a virtual film screening of Coded Black with a group discussion of the film. Participants we encouraged to bring their dinner to the screening and shared their thoughts on the themes raised in the film and considered their responsibilities to addressing the issues highlighted.
Perry Cohen
Gary Bailey
Simmons College Professor
Simmons College Professor Gary Bailey explored the climate of amplification of homophobia, sexism, racism, and other biases. Participants examined the way we assign “outcast” status to people/groups within our communities and ways some people may unintentionally participate in the process even though they reject the beliefs.
Robyn Ochs
Writer and Activist
Robyn Ochs discussed building acceptance and respect for individual choice and political & legal legitimization for people’s gender, sexual and romantic identities. The discussion concluded with advocating for the rights of people to live safely, openly and with full access and opportunity.
Mara Keisling
Co-Founder and Director of National Center for Transgender Equality
Mara Keisling discussed the significance of advocating for the “T” in our LGBTQIA+ community at UNH and beyond and how to create a community where transphobia and microaggressions are eliminated.
Erin E. Buzuvis
Director, Center for Gender and Sexuality Studies at Western New England School of Law
Erin E. Buzuvis discussed policies that the NCAA and various sport organizations adopted for the purpose of determining the eligibility of transgender athletics to compete according to their gender identities and advocated for policies that are as inclusive as possible under the circumstances particular to those organizations.
Roma Baran
Attorney Cris Arguedas, Musician and Intellectual Property Lawyer
Anne Philbin
Artist
The College of Liberal Arts hosted Roma Baran, and Anne Philbin to discuss their experiences at UNH and what each took away from their experiences that helped define where they are today.
Dr. William Darrow
Professor of Public Health, Florida International University
In an evening chat, Dr. Darrow shared his lived experiences as the former Chief of Behavioral and Prevention Research Branch, Division of STD/HIV Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a consultant for World Health Organization, the European Union, and the Global Program on AIDS.
