MEET
BRANDON WOLF
Advocate, Author & Civic Leader
ABOUT BRANDON
Brandon Wolf is a nationally recognized LGBTQ+ civil rights advocate, bestselling author, and survivor of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy. After losing two of his best friends in the 2016 shooting, he transformed unimaginable grief into a lifelong mission for equality, gun violence prevention, and community empowerment. Today, he serves as Press Secretary for Equality Florida and is a sought-after speaker who inspires audiences to turn adversity into action.
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On June 12, 2016, Brandon's life changed forever when he survived the mass shooting at Orlando's Pulse Nightclub, where 49 people—including his best friends, Drew Leinonen and Juan Guerrero—were killed. Rather than allowing tragedy to define him, Brandon committed himself to honoring their legacy through advocacy and service.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Brandon co-founded The Dru Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth and supporting future leaders through higher education scholarships. Since its founding, the organization has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to students across the country.
Brandon also became a leading voice in the movement to end gun violence, partnering with organizations including March For Our Lives, Everytown, and Giffords to advocate for meaningful legislative change. In 2019, he became the first Pulse survivor to testify before Congress about the tragedy and the urgent need for action.
As Press Secretary for Equality Florida, Brandon champions LGBTQ+ rights while regularly appearing on MSNBC, CNN, and in publications including USA Today, Newsweek, The Washington Post, Teen Vogue, The Advocate, and Out Magazine. Recognized by HuffPost as one of the "30 Modern-Day LGBTQ Pioneers" and by Business Equality Magazine as one of the "40 LGBTQ Leaders Under 40," Brandon is also the author of the bestselling memoir A Place for Us, a powerful story of healing, hope, and the strength of collective action.
Public Affairs & Media
Health & Wellness
TAGS & EXPERTISE
Advocacy • Human Rights • Public Policy • Social Impact • Leadership • Mental Health • Community Engagement • Storytelling • Resilience
SPEAKING TOPICS
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LGBTQ+ activist and gun safety advocate Brandon Wolf shares his powerful story of self-discovery, community, love, and resilience in the face of adversity. A survivor of the Pulse Night Club mas shooting, Brandon faced an unimaginable tragedy and shares his transformative journey from young outsider to galvanizing activist. “With our backs against the wall,” he says, “we find a way out together.”
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In this talk, Brandon takes the audience on a journey from growing up as a queer, Black man in America to finding chosen family and belonging thousands of miles from home to narrowly escaping the tragic shooting at Pulse Nightclub. The group will explore how to do more than simply survive adversity by turning pain into purpose and acknowledging that with our backs against the wall, we only find the way out together.
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This conversation, designed for businesses, organizations, and equity initiatives, explores the untapped individual and team potential when we create spaces that foster authenticity. When we are able to bring our whole selves to our work without fear of shame or discrimination, the possibilities are endless.
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As the country comes to terms with the task of creating an inclusive democracy, Brandon’s insight into the power of advocating authentically and at the intersections of identities is invaluable. This presentation explores the need for intersectionality in movement building; the limitless power of sharing our authentic stories and the links between the multiple crises facing our nation. There has never been a more urgent time to bring new voices to the table.
FEATURED BOOKS
FEATURED VIDEOS
Testimonials