Provincial Ballroom

Lunch

Poster People’s Choice Award Presentation

Moderated Conversation 

Sexuality & Disability:  The Joys and the Challenges

Our endnote session brings together two articulate advocates – our guest Ryan O’Connell and session moderator Wesley Magee Saxton -- for a frank discussion on navigating many intersecting worlds – being queer, being disabled, being actively sexual, and the ongoing job of breaking boundaries.  Ryan is an acclaimed author and two-time Emmy® award and a Writers Guild award winning writer, actor and producer.  He can currently be seen in the hit Netflix series Special, which he also wrote and executive produced.  Special, executive produced by Jim Parsons, is loosely based on Ryan’s own experience as a gay man navigating the world with cerebral palsy.  The series’ two seasons became a cultural phenomenon, garnering rave reviews. 

Ryan’s next big project will be as co-executive producer and star of the upcoming reboot of Queer as Folk.    

Wesley is a former Empowered Kids Ontario Scholar and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from York University.  They are also an actor and researcher, currently working with Dr. Amy McPherson at Bloorview Research Institute.  Wesley is also developing an online resource kit around sexuality and disability.  Bring your questions, because the session will also include a Q&A with Ryan. 

Ryan O’Connell, Actor, writer, LGBTQ activist and disability advocate
Conversation moderated by Wesley Magee-Saxton, former EKO Scholar and actor/dancer/coach