Zach Wahls
LGBT Rights Advocate and Author of "My Two Moms"
Zach Wahls, the son of two lesbian mothers and an outspoken advocate for marriage equality. Since a video of his testimony about his family before the Iowa House Judiciary Committee became YouTube’s number one political video of 2011, he’s continued to share his story and advocate for full equality under the law. When he’s not…
Categories :
Full Bio
Zach Wahls, the son of two lesbian mothers and an outspoken advocate for marriage equality. Since a video of his testimony about his family before the Iowa House Judiciary Committee became YouTube’s number one political video of 2011, he’s continued to share his story and advocate for full equality under the law. When he’s not busy writing, speaking or working on his various entrepreneurial ventures.
He spoke briefly and directly about his family and why he believes same-sex marriage, legal in Iowa since 2009, should remain protected by his state’s constitution. Video footage of his testimony immediately found its way onto Facebook where it was posted and reposted on hundreds of pages. By the next day, without his knowledge, Zach’s words and image had been uploaded onto YouTube and he’d become a national topic—over 1.5 million viewers within ten days.
Soon the polite and thoughtful sixth-generation Iowan was invited for appearances on MSNBC, CNN and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. MoveOn.org featured his testimony video which would go on to become the most-watched political video of the entire year, generating even more hits than President Obama’s address to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and Governor Rick Perry’s campaign launch. Google listed 18 million viewings by mid-December.
Energized by his new, and astoundingly sudden, emergence as a national advocate for marriage equality, Zach has continued speaking and is now writing My Two Moms about his life growing up with two lesbian parents. As he told Iowa legislators, he and his sister and their moms are, first and foremost, a family like any other, “eating dinner together, going to church” and defined by “the love we bear for each other.”
For college audiences, he offers his insight into the challenges facing the LGBT community and explores the nature of family and what it means for the millennial generation.
In professional settings, his presentation examines the relationship between the business community and LGBT communities and humanizes an issue too often lost in fogs of rhetoric and preconceived notions.
He’s been described as someone “beyond his years” with a distinct grace for “moving others beyond theirs.” As Angie Akers, MoveOn Media editor-in-chief, notes about Zach, now and then someone comes along who is so “even-tempered and clearheaded” he can take a subject tied in knots and “just kind of cut right through.”
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
The Challenges Facing the LGBT Community
The Nature of Family and What It Means for the Millennial Generation
The Relationship Between the Business Community and the LGBTCommunity
Videos
Zach Wahls: What Makes a Family
News
Testimonials
Zach was great. We had a good turnout of students and everyone had positive things to say about him. He was really easy to work with, and I would definitely recommend him to speak at other schools.”
South Dakota State University
Zach is an outstanding speaker with an amazing story to hear.
California State University/San Bernadino
Excellent! I had a ton of people stop by my office afterward and say that they wish we would bring him every year.
University of South Dakota
Our university president and entire community were most impressed with Zach. He was a tremendous draw for our faculty, staff, and students. We had well over 200 attend.
Bentley University
GET IDEAS
1 HOUR OR LESS
