LuSter P. Singleton is a native of Zanesville, Ohio and is proud to be from ‘Y-bridge river country.’ They are fascinated by the intersections of ‘isms’ and how -isms inform/instruct positive perceptions of “faith” and gender in our daily lives. LuSter’s passion for creating space that allows people to truly be is evident in their creative vision, passion, tenacity and willingness to be vulnerable. They’ve helped foster/create an impressive list of queer programming, educational series, presenter-led-discussions and celebrations full of positive impact, for the community. Currently they are co-directing, writing, raising funds, hosting trailblazer interviews, researching historical footage for a ‘project of passion’ entitled Free Beer Tomorrow, a documentary highlighting the critical community role of Ohio’s oldest lesbian owned and operated bar and the women who “found themselves” there.
Speaker Applications
If your organization would like to book a speaker, first contact the speaker to confirm program dates, times, and whether or not the program will be offered virtually.
After you have confirmed scheduling details, submit a speaker request form to Ohio Humanities at least six weeks before the presentation takes place. Upon approval, we’ll send you a program agreement packet and ask you to pay the appropriate application fee to Ohio Humanities. Groups are limited to three Speakers Bureau programs per year.
Speaker Fee Structure
Non-profit organizations with an annual budget under $150,000 pay a fee of $50.00.
Non-profit organizations with an annual budget over $150,000 pay a fee of $250.00.
Schools (including colleges or universities) and corporate or private entities pay a fee of $400.00.
For any questions, please contact Program Officer Melvin Barnes at mbarnes@ohiohumanities.org.
“Difficulty and Strife?”: Race and Gender in Appalachian Ohio
The stereotype is that growing up in the rural Midwest as anything other than a straight, ‘white-cultured’, conservative, God-fearing Christian is to knowingly invite “difficulty and strife” into one’s life. And yet, Singleton is here to share history and experiences that supersede these narratives of doom and gloom. Existence in a place they refer to as ‘the Queer’s Queer’ empowered them to be a fact seeker and truth-teller. His story is purposefully raw and vulnerable, mixed with hilarity and joy, as only he can tell it.
Rhetoric of the Rainbow: Living Between the Gay Movement & Civil Rights
In the early 2000s, LuSter disclosed their long-time struggle with finding a place of belonging within the so-called “gay movement” and the civil rights movement. With both having supported or encouraged notions of gender binaries, misogyny, transphobia, and racial fetishization, Singleton found it difficult to get fully ‘settled’ in either camp. Singleton shares this history to engage discussions on cancel culture, Black Lives Matter, and disappearing lesbian visibility and asks whether history is repeating itself.
Two Hillbillies and a Queered Conversation
Join Julia Applegate and LuSter P. Singleton an audience-driven conversation about growing up in the ‘hills and hollows’ of southern and southeastern Ohio while trying to sort out questions of sexuality, sexual identity, and gender. These topics are further complicated by race, class, and higher education. Their candor and willingness to be vulnerable while sharing their truths is a unique opportunity to gain insight into Appalachian Ohio, a community rarely valued for its insight, commentary, or contributions.
TO SCHEDULE A PRESENTATION , PLEASE CONTACT:
LuSter Singleton
lustersingleton55@icloud.com