Mx. New LGBTQ2+ Networking Event in the Okanagan

Mx. is the only LGBTQ2+ monthly networking organization in Kelowna and the Okanagan

Okanagan: A brand new professional networking event is set to launch in Kelowna next week, with a focus on the Okanagan’s queer community and its supporters.

The mx—pronounced the mix—is a new monthly networking event where the Okanagan Valley’s queer and ally communities can gather, mingle and talk a little shop. The first-ever mx is scheduled for next week, November 8 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts.

“ We created the mx because there really isn’t a space where the queer community and its allies can get together and connect outside of a late-night, ‘party’ setting,” says Dustyn Baulkham, Executive Producer of Rebellious Unicorns, a Kelowna-based event and experience production company. “The mx will provide a monthly opportunity for our LGBT2Q+ community to gather outside of a nightclub and chat about their work and their contributions to our city. It will also be chance to get allies involved and develop greater connections between the LGBT2Q+ community and Okanagan professionals and businesses who consider themselves queer-friendly.”

The event draws its name from Mx., a gender-neutral title that is beginning to be used alongside Mr. and Ms. Much like other professional networking events, the mx will be scheduled after day-time office hours, says Baulkham, normally 4:30 to 6:30pm. The mx will rotate through various venues in Kelowna.

Local businesses can become sponsors of the mx , either as a venue partner, a one-time evening advocate, or an annual advocate/sponsor.

“ We are thrilled to welcome Doak Shirreff Lawyers LLP as our very first annual advocate. Over the past year we have had the pleasure of getting to know many of the lawyers at this firm as they help to make our community a stronger, better place to live, work and do business,” says Baulkham. “TD has long been one of the largest and most visible supporters of the LGBT2Q+ community in North America and I am thrilled to have TD join us as an annual advocate.”

The first installment of the mx takes place November 8 from 4:30 to 6:30pm at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Street with the second installment taking place at the Delta Grand Okanagan on Dec 6th.

Entrance to the event is $10 per person ($5 for post-secondary students with valid student ID) and includes a welcome cocktail and light snacks. While we encourage people to purchase tickets in advance online to ensure enough food is ordered, tickets will also be available at the door and can be purchased with cash, credit and interac flash. A portion of each entry fee will be donated to the Etcetera youth group, a facilitated drop-in program teens between 11-18 who identify as LGBT2Q+.