The national LGBT news magazine, The Advocate has named Kimberly Dark one of the nation's top LGBT campus speakers.

"Some of the most interesting public discourse is happening on college campuses," writes The Advocate. "Some of those discussions are being led by LGBT speakers who make the rounds at America's colleges and universities..."

Dark, who also made Campus Pride's 2010 "Hot List," the top 25 favorite LGBT lecturers and performers nationwide, sees herself as a speaker and a performer.

"I'm actually both of those things at the same time. I think a lot of entertainment dumbs people down, when actually, a pleasurable entertainment experience can be thought-provoking, emotional, and funny all at once.

"This is what my shows and lectures work for," she continues in The Advocate article, "I use humor and intimacy to reveal the contours of privilege and oppression in our daily lives. Through storytelling and audience interaction, I help people talk about things they think they don't want to discuss — things like sexism, homophobia, racism, etc."

Dark went on to outline the messages she consistently conveys to college audiences. "First, never forget that you are creating the world, even as it creates you. Yes, we are born into a certain social context — a certain way of doing things, and times will change whether or not you participate. You have a duty to impart your brilliance — especially as a marginalized person.

"Second, media messages about queer people, women, people of color — any group that is under-represented — those messages will mess you up! There is so much pressure on us to conform. And that's not only stupid, it's dangerous."