Models of Pride, the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s annual summit for LGBTQ+ youth, welcomed more than 500 guests to the Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus over the weekend to learn, celebrate, and enjoy a day amid community.
Hosted by content creator and TGI+ 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.
Amidst ongoing attacks on the TGNBI+ community—especially those targeting young people—Models of Pride stands as more than just a celebration; it is a vital space for safety, visibility, and affirmation. In a climate where schools, policies, and public discourse often threaten to erase or stigmatize LGBTQ+ identities, the event gives young people the opportunity to connect, express themselves freely, and see their futures reflected in the stories and successes of LGBTQ+ artists, activists, and peers. By fostering community, creative exploration, and mentorship, Models of Pride reminds attendees that they are seen, valued, and capable of thriving—no matter the political hostility outside its walls.
This year’s Model of Pride honoree, Tonatiuh, the breakout star of the acclaimed 2025 film Kiss of the Spider Woman, sat down with our Chief Communications & Marketing Officer Oliver DelGado for a Q&A discussing his experience as an LGBTQ+ actor in Hollywood. “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,” he said. “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.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race sensation Mirage accepted the Artist of Pride Award and delivered an unforgettable performance to close out the day.
Check out photos from the event below:
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.
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