BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Mercleo Events//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Out on Bay Street 2026
X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/Toronto
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-39275b1b-208f-4c9b-9759-4a921aa8d4ac@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T140000Z
DTEND:20260522T153000Z
SUMMARY:Case Competition - Business (Case Competition)
LOCATION:Humber Park A
DESCRIPTION:Put your analytical and strategic thinking to the test. Teams w
 ill receive a live business case and work under time pressure to develop a
  recommendation\, build a compelling narrative\, and present their solutio
 n to a panel of judges drawn from industry. This is a chance to sharpen yo
 ur problem-solving skills\, collaborate under pressure\, and get exposure 
 to the kind of thinking top employers look for in candidates.\n\nPart of O
 ut on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-d839d70e-5696-4d82-954b-bb9fb5777c75@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T140000Z
DTEND:20260522T153000Z
SUMMARY:Case Competition - Marketing (Case Competition)
LOCATION:Riverdale Park A
DESCRIPTION:Creativity meets strategy. Teams will respond to a real-world m
 arketing brief\, developing a campaign concept that balances brand objecti
 ves\, audience insight\, and creative execution. You'll pitch your work to
  a panel of marketing professionals who will evaluate both the strength of
  your thinking and your ability to sell the idea. No prior marketing exper
 ience is required — just sharp instincts and a willingness to think on y
 our feet.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-645c772e-f97f-420b-80f9-e070f16c615e@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T140000Z
DTEND:20260522T153000Z
SUMMARY:Mock Interview Exercise (Case Competition)
LOCATION:Coronation Park A
DESCRIPTION:Whether you're preparing for your first professional interview 
 or pivoting into a new industry\, this hands-on session pairs you with exp
 erienced professionals for realistic mock interviews and direct\, actionab
 le feedback. You'll practise answering behavioural and technical questions
  in a supportive environment\, build confidence\, and leave with concrete 
 strategies to improve your interview performance. Come with a target role 
 in mind and be ready to practise.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-db288639-5fb5-43e8-a79c-3c7d68a4e776@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T163000Z
DTEND:20260522T170000Z
SUMMARY:Opening Remarks and Land Acknowledgement (Keynote)
LOCATION:Victory Ballroom
DESCRIPTION:Join us as we officially open Out on Bay Street 2026. Conferenc
 e co-chairs will welcome delegates\, set the tone for two days of programm
 ing\, and deliver a territorial acknowledgement honouring the Indigenous c
 ommunities on whose land we gather. You'll hear about what to expect acros
 s keynotes\, panels\, workshops\, and networking — and why this year's c
 onference matters.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-a5676c5a-5c2f-44f6-8f39-d86aec2696bd@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T170000Z
DTEND:20260522T180000Z
SUMMARY:Industry Panel - Accounting (Panel)
LOCATION:Coronation Park B
DESCRIPTION:Accounting and audit may not be the first industries that come 
 to mind when you think about queer visibility — and that's exactly why t
 his panel matters. Professionals from public accounting firms and industry
  roles will discuss what it's like to be out in client-facing roles\, how 
 firm culture is evolving\, and what it takes to build a long-term career i
 n a profession that rewards consistency and trust. Ideal for anyone consid
 ering a CPA path or already working in the field.\n\nPart of Out on Bay St
 reet 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-031efab9-d23f-412a-9d1f-4e93b0c06763@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T170000Z
DTEND:20260522T173000Z
SUMMARY:Queer Careers\, Non‑Linear Paths: Rethinking Success\, Timelines\
 , and Prestige (Short Presentation)
LOCATION:Riverdale Park A
DESCRIPTION:Not every career follows a straight line — and for many queer
  professionals\, the detours are where the real growth happens. This short
  presentation challenges the pressure to follow a narrow definition of suc
 cess and explores what it looks like to build a meaningful career on your 
 own timeline. If you've ever felt behind\, off-track\, or unsure whether y
 ou're doing it "right\," this session is a reminder that there's more than
  one way forward.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-a72e75bc-5e08-4a50-8eb2-ec7257ab45ac@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T170000Z
DTEND:20260522T180000Z
SUMMARY:Career Pathways with the Government of Canada (Short Presentation)
LOCATION:Coronation Park A
DESCRIPTION:Explore career pathways with the Government of Canada. Join our
  information session to learn about student employment opportunities and g
 ain valuable tips on applying for positions through the Government of Cana
 da Jobs Platform.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-913af48c-477f-4dee-b55c-f3d9142fe17b@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T170000Z
DTEND:20260522T180000Z
SUMMARY:Industry Panel - Marketing (Panel)
LOCATION:Humber Park A
DESCRIPTION:Marketing sits at the intersection of culture\, creativity\, an
 d commerce — and queer professionals have always shaped that space. This
  panel features marketers from agencies\, in-house brand teams\, and media
  companies discussing how they've grown their careers\, navigated creative
  cultures\, and pushed for more authentic representation in the work itsel
 f. If you're interested in where brand strategy meets identity\, this is y
 our session.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-48714160-680a-4556-8e7b-1647ce3a944d@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T173000Z
DTEND:20260522T180000Z
SUMMARY:Out\, Selective\, or Strategic?: Navigating Identity Disclosure at 
 Work (Short Presentation)
LOCATION:Riverdale Park A
DESCRIPTION:Coming out at work isn’t a one-time event — it’s a series
  of ongoing decisions shaped by context\, safety\, culture\, and personal 
 comfort. This session explores the spectrum of disclosure: who shares what
 \, when\, and why. You’ll hear from a professional who has made differen
 t choices at different stages of their career\, and leave with a more nuan
 ced framework for thinking about identity in professional settings — whe
 rever you fall on that spectrum.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-e17afe28-b164-4e2c-b33f-ff08bd416bff@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T180000Z
DTEND:20260522T190000Z
SUMMARY:Industry Panel - Consulting (Panel)
LOCATION:Coronation Park A
DESCRIPTION:Consulting means new teams\, new clients\, and new cities — c
 onstantly. That rhythm creates unique challenges for queer professionals w
 ho have to make quick decisions about disclosure\, read unfamiliar workpla
 ce cultures\, and build credibility fast. Panelists from management consul
 ting\, strategy\, and technology advisory firms will share how they've man
 aged those dynamics while building careers they're proud of. Expect candid
  advice on client management\, mentorship\, and finding your footing in a 
 high-performance culture.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-b2eb6300-b6cc-4c6a-88f8-1644944fb8e0@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T180000Z
DTEND:20260522T183000Z
SUMMARY:Beyond Doing Good Work: Visibility\, Sponsorship\, and Career Accel
 eration (Short Presentation)
LOCATION:Riverdale Park A
DESCRIPTION:Working hard should count — but it doesn’t always translate
  into recognition or opportunity. For many 2SLGBTQIA+ students and early-c
 areer professionals\, knowing how to be seen\, supported\, and advocated f
 or can feel unclear or out of reach. This session explores what it really 
 means to build visibility and find sponsorship in spaces that don’t alwa
 ys make it easy. From navigating conversations about your impact to buildi
 ng relationships that open doors\, we’ll unpack how to move from doing g
 reat work to being recognized for it.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-60abc575-7ad0-46a3-9b35-4b58c9b716d6@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T180000Z
DTEND:20260522T190000Z
SUMMARY:Industry Panel - Law (Private Practice) (Panel)
LOCATION:Coronation Park C
DESCRIPTION:Life in private practice is demanding\, competitive\, and deepl
 y relationship-driven. Panelists from firms of different sizes will share 
 how they've navigated partnership tracks\, client development\, and firm c
 ulture as openly queer professionals. They'll discuss what's changed in th
 e profession\, what hasn't\, and what aspiring lawyers should know before 
 they walk through the door.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-aa613750-6e7c-4524-9107-03e38ed35723@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T180000Z
DTEND:20260522T190000Z
SUMMARY:Industry Panel - STEM (Panel)
LOCATION:Coronation Park B
DESCRIPTION:Science\, technology\, engineering\, and math careers are often
  framed as purely meritocratic — but the reality is more complicated. Th
 is panel brings together queer and allied professionals working across tec
 h companies\, research institutions\, and engineering firms to talk about 
 workplace culture\, imposter syndrome\, and what inclusion actually looks 
 like in technical environments. Whether you're in computer science or biot
 ech\, you'll hear stories that resonate.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026
 .
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-a51239ac-0de6-49ea-9e81-09624958918b@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T180000Z
DTEND:20260522T190000Z
SUMMARY:Industry Panel - Finance (Panel)
LOCATION:Humber Park A
DESCRIPTION:From trading floors to wealth management to fintech\, this pane
 l brings together queer professionals who have built careers across the fi
 nancial services landscape. Panelists will discuss how they navigated trad
 itionally conservative environments\, found sponsors and advocates\, and b
 uilt reputations on their own terms. Whether you're targeting a career in 
 finance or already working in the industry\, this conversation offers prac
 tical insight into what it takes to thrive.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2
 026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-a9bc344a-3045-43b6-94fe-b8b1084cd54c@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T183000Z
DTEND:20260522T190000Z
SUMMARY:Career Conversations You’re Avoiding: Promotion\, Feedback\, and 
 Pay (Short Presentation)
LOCATION:Riverdale Park A
DESCRIPTION:Most people know they should ask for more — more money\, more
  responsibility\, more clarity — but few actually do. This session break
 s down the conversations that feel hardest to initiate: asking for a promo
 tion\, requesting honest feedback\, and negotiating compensation. You'll h
 ear practical scripts\, real examples\, and strategies for approaching the
 se conversations with confidence\, even when the power dynamics feel stack
 ed against you.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-b20c4f94-166a-42b2-927e-eccbcb8b36e2@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T193000Z
DTEND:20260522T203000Z
SUMMARY:Mentorship Networking (Social)
LOCATION:Victory Ballroom
DESCRIPTION:Ready to define what modern professional success looks like for
  you? Skip the awkward small talk and dive straight into the conversations
  that matter. This high-impact\, dynamic session uses fast-paced\, three-q
 uestion discussion stations to break the ice and spark genuine insights.\n
 Whether you're looking to decode future industry trends\, champion an incl
 usive work culture\, or map out a career path that honors your unique iden
 tity\, you will walk away with actionable strategies and a refreshed profe
 ssional network. Vibrant on-screen visuals will guide our journey come rea
 dy to connect\, share\, and grow!\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-01be7132-14c5-4a58-8662-ee4ef75f7dbf@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T203000Z
DTEND:20260522T210000Z
SUMMARY:Fireside Chat with Harrison Pope (Keynote)
LOCATION:Victory Ballroom
DESCRIPTION:The closing keynote of day one brings the afternoon's energy to
 gether with a powerful address that reflects on the themes of the day and 
 sets the stage for the evening ahead. Details on the speaker to follow —
  but trust us\, you'll want to be in the room.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Stree
 t 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-62a28e0c-55d7-48df-aa84-2e246fd05077@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T210000Z
DTEND:20260522T223000Z
SUMMARY:Cocktail Reception (Social)
LOCATION:Victory Ballroom
DESCRIPTION:Unwind after a full day of programming at the official OOBS coc
 ktail reception. This is your chance to continue conversations started in 
 sessions\, meet speakers and sponsors in a relaxed setting\, and build the
  kind of connections that happen best over a drink. Open to all delegates.
 \n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-25405e82-5dc1-4fff-8571-07ef0169527b@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260522T233000Z
DTEND:20260523T010000Z
SUMMARY:Marsh McLennan Professionals Reception
LOCATION:Kandy Gallery
DESCRIPTION:Start Proud and Marsh McLennan are thrilled to invite 2SLGBTQIA
 + professionals and allies to an evening of networking\, great food\, and 
 even better company at the 2026 Out on Bay Street Conference. This recepti
 on is a dedicated space for working professionals — from early-career to
  senior leaders — to connect\, share stories\, and build community acros
 s industries in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Please note: this session
  is intended for professionals attending OOBS. Students are warmly encoura
 ged to join us at the many other networking opportunities throughout the c
 onference. Come unwind\, mingle\, and enjoy an evening of lively conversat
 ion and memorable moments. We look forward to celebrating with you!\n\nPar
 t of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-01fcf5ae-65dd-443d-b077-92d790f9fb2f@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T133000Z
DTEND:20260523T140000Z
SUMMARY:Opening Remarks (Keynote)
LOCATION:Victory Ballroom
DESCRIPTION:Welcome back. Day two opens with a look at what's ahead: worksh
 ops\, panels\, the career fair\, and the evening gala. Conference organize
 rs will recap highlights from day one and set the energy for a full slate 
 of programming designed to deepen the conversations started yesterday.\n\n
 Part of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-43840035-925b-431c-85a2-d401e0177002@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T140000Z
DTEND:20260523T153000Z
SUMMARY:OOBS Drag Brunch (Social)
LOCATION:Victory Ballroom
DESCRIPTION:Start your second day the way it should be started — with inc
 redible performances\, great energy\, and community. The OOBS Drag Brunch 
 is one of the most anticipated events of the conference\, blending enterta
 inment with connection in a space that's joyful\, celebratory\, and unapol
 ogetically queer.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-8c483781-02f3-4f9a-a943-a559ed2b69a5@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T153000Z
DTEND:20260523T163000Z
SUMMARY:Beyond the Campaign: Case studies on advertising\, marketing\, and 
 avoiding rainbow washing (Case Study/Workshop)
LOCATION:Riverdale Park A
DESCRIPTION:Every June\, brands drape themselves in rainbows. But what sepa
 rates genuine commitment from performative allyship? In this workshop\, yo
 u'll examine real advertising and marketing campaigns through a critical l
 ens\, evaluating what works\, what falls flat\, and what crosses the line 
 into tokenism. Working in small groups\, you'll develop your own framework
  for assessing authenticity in brand communications — a skill that's val
 uable whether you're in marketing\, procurement\, or corporate strategy.\n
 \nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-64311a77-ee9c-4b5b-8263-bb71fd5e8ca5@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T153000Z
DTEND:20260523T163000Z
SUMMARY:Unedited: Stories of queer and trans professionals at work (Short P
 resentation)
LOCATION:Humber Park A
DESCRIPTION:No panels\, no moderators\, no talking points — just real peo
 ple telling real stories. This session features unscripted\, first-person 
 narratives from queer and trans professionals sharing moments that defined
  their careers: the breakthroughs\, the setbacks\, the conversations that 
 changed everything. It's raw\, it's honest\, and it's a reminder that behi
 nd every polished LinkedIn profile is a much more complicated and human st
 ory.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-cc9d5cce-53fb-4a4f-aa2f-9828b3c7e9ba@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T153000Z
DTEND:20260523T163000Z
SUMMARY:Power\, Profit\, and Pride: A panel of queer professionals navigati
 ng high finance (Panel)
LOCATION:Coronation Park A
DESCRIPTION:High finance rewards performance\, pedigree\, and presence — 
 but what happens when your identity doesn't fit the traditional mould? Sen
 ior professionals working in investment banking\, private equity\, and cap
 ital markets share how they've navigated performance-driven cultures\, bui
 lt client relationships on their own terms\, and risen through the ranks w
 ithout hiding who they are. This panel pulls no punches on the realities o
 f queer life in finance's most demanding corners.\n\nPart of Out on Bay St
 reet 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-abd5c268-fb50-4260-b512-c197d0bcaf14@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T163000Z
DTEND:20260523T173000Z
SUMMARY:Care by Design: A panel on health system\, policy\, and innovation 
 for queer communities (Panel)
LOCATION:Coronation Park A
DESCRIPTION:Healthcare systems weren't designed with queer communities in m
 ind — and the gaps show up everywhere from intake forms to insurance cov
 erage to clinical training. This panel brings together professionals worki
 ng in health policy\, clinical care\, public health\, and health tech to d
 iscuss what it takes to redesign systems that actually serve 2SLGBTQIA+ pe
 ople. Expect a forward-looking conversation about what's broken\, what's p
 romising\, and where the next generation of health leaders can make the bi
 ggest impact.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-e0c95213-0a6a-4602-a514-3166dce51a8d@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T163000Z
DTEND:20260523T173000Z
SUMMARY:Presence That Persuades: An interview masterclass on the verbal and
  nonverbal skills that turn interviews into conversations (Case Study/Work
 shop)
LOCATION:Riverdale Park A
DESCRIPTION:Most interviews feel like a rigid interrogation\, leaving both 
 parties drained by rehearsed answers. The secret to landing the offer isn
 ’t just having the right resume—it’s about shifting the energy of th
 e room. This interactive masterclass dives into the mechanics of interpers
 onal influence\, teaching you to master the verbal and nonverbal "micro-si
 gnals" that project both authority and warmth. Through live examples and r
 eal-time feedback\, you will learn to move beyond the script\, decode inte
 rviewer cues\, and transform stiff professional exchanges into compelling 
 human connections that leave a lasting impression.\n\nPart of Out on Bay S
 treet 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-17de4c57-ace7-44f0-b111-5629918a8f67@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T163000Z
DTEND:20260523T173000Z
SUMMARY:From Contributor to Leader: Stories of professionals navigating pro
 motion and career growth across industries (Short Presentation)
LOCATION:Humber Park A
DESCRIPTION:The leap from doing the work to leading the work is one of the 
 biggest transitions in any career — and it rarely happens the way you ex
 pect. Professionals from a range of industries share how they made the shi
 ft from individual contributor to people leader\, including the mistakes t
 hey made along the way\, the support they leaned on\, and the moments that
  tested their confidence. Whether you're eyeing your first management role
  or already leading a team\, these stories offer perspective you won't fin
 d in a leadership manual.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-ca01d931-30cd-4ee4-b369-740051a9a1b6@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T173000Z
DTEND:20260523T193000Z
SUMMARY:Career Fair (Career Fair)
LOCATION:Victory Ballroom
DESCRIPTION:The OOBS Career Fair brings together sponsor organizations that
  are actively recruiting talent from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This is you
 r opportunity to meet hiring managers and recruiters face-to-face\, learn 
 about open roles and company cultures\, and make a strong first impression
 . Bring your resume\, dress to impress\, and come ready to have real conve
 rsations about your next opportunity.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-70dd2a94-b9af-4410-8c3d-3f4d4902d118@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T193000Z
DTEND:20260523T200000Z
SUMMARY:Afternoon Tea (Break)
LOCATION:Coronation Park A
DESCRIPTION:Part of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-6b5bbef6-643b-40b4-a0a4-72b76b6437bd@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T200000Z
DTEND:20260523T210000Z
SUMMARY:In Conversation with Roz Macey: Invisible disabilities and queernes
 s (Short Presentation)
LOCATION:Humber Park A
DESCRIPTION:Disability isn't always visible — and when you're already nav
 igating the world as a queer person\, the intersection of these identities
  creates unique challenges around disclosure\, accommodation\, and belongi
 ng. In this intimate fireside conversation\, Roz Macey shares their experi
 ence living and working at this intersection\, exploring what it means to 
 advocate for yourself when parts of your identity aren't immediately appar
 ent. This session is for anyone who has ever felt the tension between visi
 bility and self-protection.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-bc5f19eb-26dc-4f41-a2cb-233c49b847eb@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T200000Z
DTEND:20260523T210000Z
SUMMARY:Coding the Future: A case study on AI\, risk\, and inclusion (Case 
 Study/Workshop)
LOCATION:Riverdale Park A
DESCRIPTION:Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries at speed — bu
 t who gets to shape AI? This workshop puts you in the room where decisions
  are being made\, working through a case study that explores bias in algor
 ithmic systems\, the ethics of automation\, and what inclusive innovation 
 actually requires. You don't need a technical background to participate 
 — just a willingness to think critically about who benefits and who gets
  left behind when technology moves faster than policy.\n\nPart of Out on B
 ay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-18430576-364e-4e4d-9dbf-ea47d74f6d49@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T200000Z
DTEND:20260523T210000Z
SUMMARY:From Chosen Family to Lasting Future: A panel on family building\, 
 legacy\, and financial vision (Panel)
LOCATION:Coronation Park A
DESCRIPTION:Building a family as a queer person comes with a unique set of 
 decisions — legal\, financial\, emotional\, and logistical. This panel b
 rings together professionals who have navigated surrogacy\, adoption\, co-
 parenting\, and other paths to parenthood alongside the financial planning
  that makes it all possible. From estate planning to insurance to the cost
  of assisted reproduction\, this is a practical and personal conversation 
 about building the future you want.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-4ecb41c2-1705-4bd3-9ee9-ee77e20e68b6@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T210000Z
DTEND:20260523T220000Z
SUMMARY:Too Queer\, Not Queer Enough: A panel on chosen community at the in
 tersections of queerness\, race\, and culture (Panel)
LOCATION:Riverdale Park A
DESCRIPTION:What does it mean to belong when your identity sits at the inte
 rsection of multiple communities — and none of them feel like a perfect 
 fit? Panellists explore the experience of being "too queer" in some spaces
  and "not queer enough" in others\, navigating the tensions between cultur
 al expectations\, racial identity\, and queer community norms. This is an 
 honest\, nuanced conversation about the limits of representation and the p
 ower of building chosen community on your own terms.\n\nPart of Out on Bay
  Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-b51e5f08-968f-405a-b014-0aa2cd1cd629@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T210000Z
DTEND:20260523T220000Z
SUMMARY:Why Allyship Became Personal: Stories from leaders\, parents\, and 
 grandparents (Short Presentation)
LOCATION:Humber Park A
DESCRIPTION:Allyship is easy to talk about in the abstract. It gets harder 
 — and more meaningful — when it's personal. In this session\, leaders\
 , parents\, and grandparents share the specific moments that transformed a
 llyship from a corporate value into a personal commitment. These are stori
 es about showing up when it wasn't easy\, learning when they got it wrong\
 , and doing the work that goes beyond wearing a pin or attending a march. 
 If you've ever wondered what genuine\, sustained allyship looks like in pr
 actice\, start here.\n\nPart of Out on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-ae3a401c-8d4c-48b6-b9f8-c50e33d2d2bc@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T210000Z
DTEND:20260523T220000Z
SUMMARY:Drag and Dim Sum: A case study in cross‑cultural 2SLGBTQIA+ engag
 ement (Case Study/Workshop)
LOCATION:Coronation Park A
DESCRIPTION:Community engagement looks different across cultures\, and the 
 most impactful programming often happens at the intersections. This case s
 tudy examines a real initiative that brought together drag performance and
  Chinese-Canadian culinary culture to create a space that was both proudly
  queer and deeply rooted in cultural tradition. You'll explore what it tak
 es to design programming that honours multiple identities\, avoids cultura
 l flattening\, and builds genuine cross-community connection.\n\nPart of O
 ut on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:session-8dbeae4d-bf9f-49aa-a3b1-fa517f86e4c4@portal.mercleo.com
DTSTAMP:20261114T224447Z
DTSTART:20260523T220000Z
DTEND:20260524T023000Z
SUMMARY:Evening Gala (Social)
LOCATION:Victory Ballroom
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an unforgettable evening as we close out two inspir
 ing days with a vibrant celebration of community\, progress\, and pride. T
 his special 20th anniversary gala brings together attendees\, leaders\, an
 d allies for a night of entertainment\, great food\, refreshing drinks\, a
 nd meaningful connection. Raise a glass to the milestones achieved\, the s
 tories shared\, and the future ahead—this is a moment to celebrate how f
 ar we’ve come and the collective impact still to be made.\n\nPart of Out
  on Bay Street 2026.
STATUS:CONFIRMED
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR