Models of Pride 2025: Los Angeles LGBT Center Honors Tonatiuh, Welcomes Drag Race Star Mirage, and Celebrates Queer Youth Power
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Hosted by social media star Kevin Ninh (FlawlessKevin), the largest free LGBTQ+ youth conference brought hundreds to Hollywood for a day of learning, creativity, and community.
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Talent Images Here | Events Images Here
Photo courtesy of Los Angeles LGBT Center | Jordan Doyle
LOS ANGELES, October 27, 2025—Over 500 LGBTQ+ youth, parents, educators, and allies gathered on Saturday, October 25, for the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s 33rd annual Models of Pride, the largest free summit for queer youth and their allies. Presented at the Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus in Hollywood, this year’s event celebrated community, creativity, and courage—uplifting the power of queer imagination and intergenerational connection.
Hosted by content creator and advocate Kevin Ninh—known to millions online as FlawlessKevin, the day-long event featured a wide range of workshops, activities, and showstopping performances designed to uplift and empower LGBTQ+ youth ages 24 and younger. From drag story hours and meditation sessions to gaming lounges and tie-dye stations, attendees experienced a vibrant fusion of education, art, and queer joy across the Center’s campus.
The main stage program included remarks from Center CEO Joe Hollendoner, who underscored the event’s mission to equip young people with the confidence and resources to thrive as their authentic selves.
“Models of Pride is about more than a day of workshops and performances—it’s about creating a space where LGBTQ+ youth can feel safe, celebrated, and be seen exactly as they are,” said Hollendoner in his welcome remarks. “To every young person here today: you belong, you are loved, and your voice matters.”
Headlining the afternoon was the presentation of the 2025 Model of Pride Award to actor Tonatiuh, star of the critically acclaimed film Kiss of the Spider Woman. Returning to the Center more than a decade after performing on its campus early in his career, Tonatiuh reflected on the full-circle moment:
“One of my first paid gigs ever was across the street at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza in this play called Hit the Wall by Ike Holter, which centered around the story of the 1969 Stonewall riots,” said Tonatiuh. “There is no difference between me and you. I was one of you in the audience, looking at someone else and realizing that dreams, acting, art are all possible.”
The Artist of Pride Award honored RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 superstar Mirage whose work reflects the intersection of queer Indigenous and Latinx identities. In addition to a show-stopping performance to close out the day’s events, she also shared a message of inspiration with attendees.
“It means a lot to be honored for just being me,” said Mirage. “This should be a testament for you to just be exactly who you are, and that is going to be good enough for the people who care about you.”
The event also saw the presentation of the Student of Pride Award, recognizing a young leader who embodies resilience, compassion, and commitment to change within their school and community.
Alongside youth programming, Models of Pride also welcomed parents, guardians, and educators to the Parents and Professionals Institute (PPI)—a dedicated learning track offering workshops and discussions on creating affirming homes, classrooms, and communities for LGBTQ+ youth. This year’s highlights included conversations on teaching intersectional LGBTQ+ histories, affirming healthcare for trans and gender-expansive youth, and organizing for resistance in challenging political climates—along with affinity spaces for educators, caregivers, and helping professionals rest, recharge, and reconnect. Together, these sessions fostered dialogue across generations and helped participants build tools for creating more inclusive, resilient communities.
Models of Pride 2025 is made possible by our Senior sponsors Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo, Glamazon L.A.—Amazon’s LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, NYX Professional Makeup, and U.S. Bank, along with our Junior sponsor Yitty, Sophomore sponsor Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, and Freshman sponsor Honda.
The day culminated in a high-energy karaoke party and DJ set by Brynn Taylor, where youth, parents, and allies turned the Center’s campus into a dance floor of connection and pride. As music pulsed and voices rose in celebration, one truth became clear: queer joy is a collective act—and it’s unstoppable.
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About Youth Services
The Center offers more wide-ranging services for underserved queer youth than any other organization, by helping thousands of LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger) every single year through housing, community events, outreach, and other supportive social services. Buttressed by the Center’s holistic model of care with programs like Health Services, Legal Services, and more, our program helps keep youth safe, healthy, and celebrated. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org/services/youth-services/
About the Los Angeles LGBT Center
Since 1969, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more LGBTQ+ 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 LGBTQ+ people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org