For all-staff and ERGs
Breaking Down the Alphabet
Every character of the 2SLGBTQI+ initialism, explained clearly, with the humour that makes it stick.
The initialism has grown and a lot of people have given up trying to keep up. They care, genuinely, and they are also terrified of getting it wrong. So they say nothing. This keynote fixes that, one character at a time, with the calm and the humour that let a mixed room actually breathe and learn. This talk complements my book, Alphabet Soup.
If you’d like to build on this topic beyond the keynote, you can learn more about how I work with organizations on consulting engagements.
Trailer
See it in ninety seconds
Trailer
A short trailer for this talk lands here. Speaking feedback and a longer sample appear below.
Overview
One initialism, many stories, and why the difference matters
Few topics make a workplace audience hold their breath faster than the 2SLGBTQI+ initialism. Most people in the room care about getting it right. Most are also quietly afraid of saying the wrong thing, so they stay quiet and nothing improves.
This keynote moves past the awkwardness and the avoidance. I walk through each character, separates attraction from identity from expression, and shows how the pieces of the spectrum fit together. The history, the language, the distinctions that actually matter.
Audiences leave with the vocabulary to talk about it with confidence, and the ease to ask when they do not know, without making it a whole thing.
What clients say
From the organizations that booked this talk
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Michael is an excellent and engaging speaker who uses his humour and extensive knowledge to educate people on topics that can be quite challenging. We engaged Michael to provide a keynote on 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion, which is a topic that our company is keen on exploring and learning more about. Michael’s keynote was a huge success and helped to open people’s eyes to why 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion is so important.
David Matarasso Principal, Real Estate Management BentallGreenOak
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I highly recommend “Alphabet Soup” as a resource that I keep referring back to for workshops, training and discussions with students and staff. I appreciate Michael’s knowledge and keen sense of humour!
Lesley Oliver EDI Specialist Western University
Verified attendee feedback
What audiences leave with
Every keynote I deliver collects attendee feedback independently through Talkadot. The numbers below are the verified scores from my full speaking record.
What audiences walk out with
- Participants left with a working vocabulary they could use the next day, without jargon or guilt.
- Attendees gained a clearer understanding of where DEIA actually shows up in everyday work decisions.
- Leaders left equipped to defend, fund, and scale the work in language their leadership team will recognize.
- Audiences felt inspired and prepared to take action, with specific moves to make in the week that followed.
- Michael is a phenomenal speaker. Engaging, knowledgeable, and able to make a complex topic feel approachable. Attendee
- Thoughtful, generous with humour, and the practical examples landed for me. I left with a list of things I can do on Monday. Attendee
- Honest and direct without being preachy. That is rare in this work and exactly why it lands. Attendee
Ten-minute speaking sample
Watch a longer sample
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Frequently asked
Quick answers before you reach out
How long is this keynote?
Sixty minutes is the standard, and it is adjustable in either direction. Tell me the slot and I will make it work.
Can it be delivered virtually?
Yes. The structure and the audience interaction are the same in both formats. Virtual delivery works on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex, or whatever platform your team is already using.
Who is this talk for?
Built for all-staff sessions, ERGs, learning weeks, and onboarding cohorts. It also lands well with broader leadership audiences and anyone tasked with building a more inclusive workplace.
Can the content be customized for our audience?
Yes. Every booking starts with a prep call to tailor the examples, language, and case studies to your sector, your audience, and the moment your organization is in. Customization is part of the speaking fee, not an add-on.
How do we book Michael for this talk?
Send a note through the contact page with your event date, audience, format, and budget range. You will hear back within two business days with availability, a fee, and a short note on fit.
Bring me to your stage
Tell me about the event, the audience, and what you want people to leave thinking about. I will come back with a short note on fit, format, and what a strong version of this looks like for your room.