2025 Out & Equal Workplace Summit
October 13 – 16, 2025
Seattle, WA, USA
What is Workplace Summit?
Workplace Summit is the world’s largest gathering of LGBTQ+ and allied professionals committed to building workplaces of belonging. Each year, thousands of executives, ERG leaders, inclusion and HR professionals, talent strategists, and changemakers come together for an experience that informs, inspires, and ignites action.
For nearly three decades, Out & Equal has hosted this landmark event to advance LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion delivering high-impact programming, meaningful networking, and the business strategies that shape the future of work.
Current Out & Equal Partners, please reach out to partnerships@outandequal.org about registration.
Feel the Energy. See What’s Possible.
Our last in-person Summit was more than an event — it was a movement. This short video captures the powerful moments, connections, and joy that defined that experience. If you’re wondering what to expect this year, consider this your first glimpse of the magic we’re about to make together again.
Why Attend?
In a rapidly shifting workplace and social landscape, Summit is where clarity, strategy, and community come together. Whether you’re driving change from the boardroom or building power from your ERG, Summit equips you to return to your workplace ready to lead boldly.
When you attend Workplace Summit, you’ll:
Current Out & Equal Partners, please reach out to partnerships@outandequal.org about registration.
Mainstage Lineup
Harper
Steele
she/her
Harper Steele, Emmy-winning comedy writer and former head writer at Saturday Night Live, will join this year’s Workplace Summit as a keynote speaker. From shaping comedy at SNL and Funny or Die to sharing her personal journey in the acclaimed Netflix documentary Will & Harper, Harper brings creativity, authenticity, and the kind of lived experience we aim to amplify at Summit.
Justin David Sullivan
he/she/they
Justin David Sullivan, a groundbreaking Broadway performer and passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, will join us for a keynote on the mainstage this year. Known for originating the role of May in the hit musical & Juliet, Justin brings unapologetic authenticity and a commitment to amplifying trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive voices sharing their journey from Broadway’s spotlight to the frontlines of change.
Kenji
Yoshino
he/him
Kenji Yoshino, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at NYU School of Law and Director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, will deliver a keynote and premier session based on his acclaimed book Say the Right Thing, equipping attendees with practical tools to navigate identity, diversity, and justice in the workplace.
2025 Workplace Summit Highlights
All-New: Talent Networking in the Engagement Center
This year, recruiting meets community. Attendees can network directly with employers in a vibrant, no-cost networking space.
Add-On: Leadership Lab Day
A full day of immersive cohort learning on October 13 with topics including:
➜ Supercharging LGBTQ+ ERG Impact
➜ Shattering the Lavender Ceiling
➜ Cultivating Personal Power for Changemakers
➜ Effectively Navigating Policy & Best Practice Work
Dynamic Learning Tracks
With 100+ sessions including Premier Workshops, Featured Sessions, and hands-on Labs, explore themes like:
➜ Belonging and the Future of Work
➜ The Evolution of ERGs
➜ Public policy alignment
➜ Inclusive talent development
➜ Workplace changemaking
Plenary Experiences That Move You
Three high-impact mainstage sessions featuring global thought leaders, artists, Outie Award winners, and more — each designed to inform and inspire.
Night “In” Community
We’re reimagining the iconic Night Out with a new twist — celebrating local artists, community partners, and culture inside the Engagement Center. It’s a night of Pride, purpose, and shared joy.
Current Out & Equal Partners, please reach out to partnerships@outandequal.org about registration.
The LGBTQ+ movement has been shaped by challenge and victory, fear and hope, grief and joy, loss and endurance.
Today, as policy threats and harmful rhetoric intensify, we draw strength from those who came before us — who dreamed of being out and equal in a world that told them it wasn’t possible. Their courage transformed our workplaces and communities and paved the way for us to be here, together.
Now, it’s our turn to rise.
We rise by gathering in community.
We rise by telling the truth — about what’s hard and what must change.
We rise by tapping into joy, anger, resilience, and light.
We rise by remembering our past and recommitting to our future.
Why? Because this movement and this community demand it.
Together is how we rise — in purpose and in pride.
We move forward, carrying the lessons of our past and the urgency of this moment.
The moment for action, for courage, for change is now.
Venue
Seattle Convention Center – Summit Building
The stunning Seattle Convention Center – Summit Building, is located in the heart of downtown Seattle. Just steps from iconic landmarks, diverse dining, and vibrant queer culture, this state-of-the-art venue offers the perfect setting for a high-impact, community-driven experience.
With all sessions, networking, and activation spaces under one roof, the centralized layout makes it easy to connect, explore, and fully immerse yourself in the Summit experience — all against the backdrop of one of the country’s most scenic cities.
Recognize Impact & Elevate Role Models: The 2025 Outie Awards at Workplace Summit
The Outie Awards recognize the boldest champions of LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion — from individuals to ERGs to company-wide efforts.
New this year: Winners will be announced live during daily plenaries for a spotlight moment worthy of their impact.
LEARN MOREDon’t Miss Your Moment
As anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric intensifies and budgets become more constrained, one thing is certain: we cannot afford to pause progress.
Moving together, forward, now, is essential.
Non-profit pricing available.
Current Out & Equal Partners, please reach out to partnerships@outandequal.org about registration.
Need help covering the cost?
We’ve created a ready-to-use “Convince Your Boss” memo to help you make the case.