Start Proud, formerly Out On Bay Street, holds monthly networking social events in Toronto to help provide an opportunity for LGBTQA+ individuals to stay connected and engaged with the Start Proud network. These events serve to create an inclusive environment in which students and professionals can connect. The events are informal in nature, and we try our best to facilitate a comfortable space for all.
Why Attend?
- For students, this is an invaluable opportunity to build meaningful and lasting connections with peers and working professionals.
- For professionals, it is a chance to provide mentorship and meet other like-minded individuals that could assist in one’s career trajectory.
To catch photos from our last monthly or RSVP for our next event, make sure you follow our Instagram page and bookmark our Facebook event page!
See Upcoming Events and RSVP NowIn Partnership With:
“Inspiring the female leaders of tomorrow.”
Start Proud’s (formerly Out On Bay Street) Lets Talk: Women’s Speaker Series events will be held to further engage, educate, and foster the female leaders within our student community. We will seek to do this by facilitating engaging female speakers and connecting students with professionals and leaders from various industries.
Speakers will explore themes across a wide range of topical issues that relate to LGBTQA+ women. In the past, this included stories about overcoming social pressures, struggles faced in a male-dominated work environment, the impact of media stereotypes, and finding work-life balance.
The series provide opportunities and a comfortable space for students and young professionals to:
- network with other like-minded women;
- pursue opportunities for personal and professional growth;
- share your stories and experiences on work place issues; and
- build dialogue around the topics and themes presented by the speakers.
After a very successful pilot launch in 2014, Start Proud is committed to expanding our programming for LGBTQA women. We hope to produce 4 events a year but we may not achieve this number due to resource constraints.
Sponsor an Event
Please learn more about sponsorship and ways you can be involved here.
Nominate a Speaker, Give Feedback or Suggest an Event Idea
Please email our Toronto Events Team at torontoevents@outonbayst.org
Out In The Capital
Out In The Capital produces local events for the Ottawa-region. In its third year of operation, we are focused on increasing programming to deliver more events for LGBTQ+ students in the National Capital Region.
In its third year of operation, the Ottawa team is focused on increasing its programming to deliver more events for LGBTQ+ students in the National Capital Region. Last year, the team hosted their first Law Reception, bringing together members of the legal community and students. As always, the Semi-annual Networking Reception successfully brought together students and professionals from diverse backgrounds to discuss topics such as workplace inclusivity, recruitment and mentorship. Our focus on the experiences of lesbians and trans women was especially welcomed by many. In addition, the team has launched bi-monthly networking socials. In partnership with local groups and organizations, such as Pride at Work Canada and the Ontario Bar Association, the networking socials aim at creating more opportunities for students and professionals to connect within the region.
Past Events
- Bi-Monthly Networking Socials
- Semi-Annual Speakers Reception
- Law Reception
132
Average Student Attendance
66
Identify as LGBTQ+ (rest is not-specified and allies)
60
Are interested in Law, Banking/Finance or Public Sector Industries
30
Identify as Female
Out In The Capital’s Semi-Annual Speakers Reception is its signature event! Joining us are students, professionals and community organizations that are interested in hearing speakers and panel discussions on topics such as: being out at work, building an inclusive organizational culture and championing change within your organization.
Sponsor an Event
Please learn more about sponsorship and ways you can be involved here.
Nominate a Speaker, Give Feedback or Suggest an Event Idea
Please email our Toronto Events Team at ottawaevents@outonbayst.org
Other Regional Events
Out On Bay Street is working to develop events across more regions to truly connect LGBTQ+ students and young professionals from coast-to-coast across Canada.
Regional events are still under development but some of the very first events are slated to run sometime in 2016. keep an eye out on our events calendar! We have initial volunteer leaders in Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal researching student interest, building sponsor relationships and networking with potential speakers and community partners.
If you would like to offer your support as a volunteer, sponsor or other resources, please contact Chair of Regional Events at regionalevents@outonbayst.org