Held for the first time at Los Angeles City College, more than 1,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth (LGBTQ) and their allies from 200 cities and more than 250 schools nationwide are expected to attend the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s 27th annual Models of Pride conference on Saturday, October 19. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Me, Celebrating Us.”
As the world’s largest free conference of its kind, Models of Pride offers a full day of life-enriching programming designed to help young people build confidence and self-esteem and develop valuable life skills. Organized through the Center’s youth development program, the day includes more than 100 workshops and presentations; lunch and dinner; resource, college, and career fairs; entertainment; and an outdoor dance party for all youth ages 24 and under.
This year’s Opening Session, hosted by transgender supermodel Arisce Wanzer, includes performances by the Gay Freedom Band of Los Angeles, the West Hollywood Elite Cheerleaders, and drag king Mr. Eatswood.
To date, the Entertainment Hour features performances by music artists LEADR and Tiffany Gouché, comedian Joel Kim Booster, and drag queens Muñeca, Karen Beaches, and Kyra Jeté.
In addition to the youth portion of the conference, more than 400 parents, educators, social service providers, and other youth-serving professionals will attend workshops tailored to their concerns and interests involving LGBTQ youth. Known as the Parent & Professional Institute, this full-day program for adults is free and will feature a performance by Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles, speakers California State Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, and West/Metro LA Senior Field Deputy Fernando Morales from Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl’s office. The evening programming of the Parent & Professional Institute will include a rooftop mixer, lounges, and the Celebrating Our Stories Variety Show: performances by Alexndra Grey, Kelly Mantle, short film screenings, and host Ezra Michel.
The Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Models of Pride is Toyota. Junior Sponsors are Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council, Comcast NBCUniversal, and HBO. Sophomore sponsor is Edison International. Freshman Sponsors are The Aerospace Corporation, Arup, Campus Pride, Capital One Café, Central Intelligence Agency, Disobeyvape.com, Glamazon, Hulu, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and U.S. Bank. In-Kind sponsor are gc2b and Perrier. Official Airline Sponsor is American Airlines.
WHAT:
Models of Pride 27
This free conference will bring together more than 1,500 LGBTQ youth and their allies for a full day of life-enriching workshops, panel discussions, a resource fair, entertainment, and more to help attendees build confidence and self-esteem and develop valuable life skills.
WHEN:
Saturday, October 19
7:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
On-Site Registration: 7:30 a.m–1:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Los Angeles City College
855 N. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles 90029
Free parking available at lots located at 4133 Marathon St., 90029
Public transit is encouraged. The Vermont/Santa Monica stop of the Metro Red Line is located next to the LACC campus.
COST: FREE
For more information and to register for Models of Pride, visit modelsofpride.org
For information in Spanish, visit modelsofpride.org/espanol
About the Los Angeles LGBT Center
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond since 1969. Today the Center’s nearly 700 employees provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. We are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org.
