On October 20, the Los Angeles LGBT Center hosted its 32nd annual Models of Pride festival, transforming the Anita May Rosenstein Campus in Hollywood into a vibrant space for LGBTQ+ youth, families, and allies. Presented by BMO, this year’s event welcomed over 600 attendees for a day packed with workshops, performances, and awards that celebrated the community’s resilience, diversity, and future.
The day kicked off with Emmy Award-winning social media creator Ruba Wilson, also known as RubasWorld, who returned for the second year in a row as the event’s energetic host.
Wilson set a welcoming tone for the day, emphasizing the importance of Models of Pride as a space where LGBTQ+ youth can connect, learn, and celebrate their identities without fear. “Today is all about you, and celebrating you just as you are,” Wilson said.
The festival’s highlight was undoubtedly the appearance of social media icon and beauty mogul Bretman Rock, who received the Model of Pride Award, an honor given each year to a positive role model uplifting LGBTQ+ youth. Rock was lauded for their inspirational content and barrier-smashing success as the quintessential content creator.
In the day’s keynote conversation with entertainment journalist Suzy Exposito, Rock shared personal experiences and advice, encouraging youth to prioritize self-love and build a world surrounded by supportive, nourishing people. “The world is gonna bully you; you cannot be your biggest bully,” he said, reminding the audience to embrace their true selves without fear or shame.
Rock, who is openly nonbinary, encouraged the LGBTQ+ youth in attendance to find their voice and embrace the power of their uniqueness.
“In Filipino culture, people would literally bring their kids to trans people and ask them to name them because they thought that trans people could see into the future and name them based on what they look like, and it’s the same with Hawaiian culture,” he said. “My one wish is for all of you to find your light. For all of you to find your power, because you will find a community that sees that. I’m not saying that they’ll worship you the way they did back in the day, but they will respect you and they will welcome you.”
The day also saw the presentation of the Artist of Pride Award to singer-songwriter VINCINT, who shared wisdom imparted by his late parents before delivering a show-stopping performance of their single “Take Me Home.” “Show up and make them see you, because you never know who’s watching and who might see themselves in you,” they said.
Heather Martinez from the Center’s Community Action Network presented this year’s Models of Pride Youth Leadership Award to Jasper Chen, a youth advocate and podcaster. Chen’s leadership and dedication to empowering young voices exemplified the spirit of the festival, which has grown into one of the largest LGBTQ+ youth conferences in the world over its 32-year history.
Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to participate in 14 engaging workshops designed for both youth and their families. Workshop topics ranged from drag artistry and mindfulness practices to discussions on LGBTQ+ affirming parenting and intersectional history. The Renberg Theatre hosted a workshop titled Spilling the T(MZ), in which founder Harvey Levin speaking on the origins of his pop culture news hub and the future of digital journalism. The sessions aimed to equip participants with practical skills, foster meaningful dialogue, and provide safe spaces for self-expression and growth. Parents, educators, and professionals had their own series of sessions, focusing on how to better support LGBTQ+ youth and advocate for inclusive environments.
The festival also featured a bustling resource fair with more than 30 community organizations, employers, educational institutions, and programs from the Los Angeles LGBT Center. These vendors connected attendees with valuable resources, services, and support networks, underscoring the festival’s role not only as a celebration but also as a gateway to ongoing support and opportunities.
Models of Pride would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors who share a commitment to empowering LGBTQ+ youth.
In addition to Presenting Sponsor BMO, the event was also backed by Senior Sponsors Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo, Glamazon L.A., NYX Professional Makeup, and U.S. Bank, as well as Junior Sponsors Edison International, Waymo, Yitty, and Freshman Sponsor First Citizens Bank.
Read More
‘Trans Pride Forever’: Celebrating 25 Years of Trans Pride LA
Dylan Mulvaney Talks Dealing with Online Hate at Models of Pride: “They Can't Comprehend a Trans Person Being Happy”
How Los Angeles Became the Newest Target in the War on LGBTQ+ Education
