Los Angeles LGBT Center Celebrates 34th Annual Models of Pride, Honoring Zaya Wade, MNEK, and Curly Velasquez
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The world’s largest free event for LGBTQ+ youth drew more than 670 pre-registrations for a day of community, connection, and queer joy in Hollywood.
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Photos courtesy of the Los Angeles LGBT Center
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 12, 2026 — The Los Angeles LGBT Center celebrated its 34th annual Models of Pride on Saturday, Oct. 10, bringing together LGBTQ+ youth, allies, families, and professionals for a free day of workshops, entertainment, resources, and community connection at its Anita May Rosenstein Campus in Hollywood. More than 670 people registered in advance for the world’s largest free event for LGBTQ+ youth, reflecting enthusiasm for a gathering that has brought the community together for more than three decades.
This year’s event featured youth advocate and model Zaya Wade, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer MNEK, and digital creator and media executive Curly Velasquez, who were honored for their contributions to LGBTQ+ visibility, representation, and empowerment. Emmy Award-winning creator and internet personality Ruba Wilson (RubasWorld) returned to host the event.
Zaya Wade, this year’s headlining speaker and recipient of the Model of Pride Award, was recognized for her advocacy on behalf of trans, gender-expansive, and nonbinary youth. Wade has used her platform to champion LGBTQ+ youth and, alongside her father Dwyane Wade, launched Translatable in 2024, a digital resource hub for LGBTQIA+ youth and their families.
“Representation is integration. Getting to see people in spaces you want to be in pushes you forward,” said Wade during a Q&A following her acceptance of the Model of Pride Award. “And sometimes, if that representation isn’t there, knowing you might be the representation for someone else keeps you going. It’s about inspiring the younger generation so everyone can feel the love we deserve.”
Grammy-nominated artist MNEK received the Artist of Pride Award, recognizing his contributions to music and LGBTQ+ representation. A singer, songwriter, and producer whose career spans more than a decade, MNEK has collaborated with artists including Beyoncé, Zara Larsson, FLO, Little Mix, Rudimental, and more. His latest album, BULLDOZER!!, released in September 2026, explores Black and queer identity, relationships, and self-expression.
“There’s so much of what we come up with that becomes pop culture,” said MNEK during the event. “The next singles, the next cultural moments are within our blood. For me, music is my way of talking to people, communicating with people, and sharing my life.”
Digital creator, producer, and media executive Curly Velasquez was honored with the inaugural Storyteller of Pride Award for his work expanding queer and Latino representation across digital media and entertainment. A Salvadoran American creator who rose to prominence at BuzzFeed where he co-founded Pero Like, Velasquez currently serves as Vice President of Development at LatiNation Media. Actor Mishel Prada presented Velasquez with the award during the stage program.
“Being Latine and being queer has really informed the work I do today,” said Velasquez during his acceptance remarks. “It’s so cool to be here at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and receive the Storyteller of Pride Award. It’s beautiful to receive this recognition and know that we’re doing something right.”
“For more than three decades, Models of Pride has been a place where LGBTQ+ youth can come together, find community, and see the possibilities ahead of them,” said Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner. “At a time when LGBTQ+ youth, particularly transgender and nonbinary youth, continue to face attacks on their rights and identities, spaces like Models of Pride are more important than ever. This year’s honorees remind us of the power of living authentically, pursuing our dreams, and creating opportunities for others to do the same. We are proud to celebrate Zaya, MNEK, and Curly alongside the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders.”
Throughout the day, attendees participated in interactive workshops, educational programming, arts and crafts, gaming, karaoke, and a resource, college, and job fair connecting youth with community organizations and opportunities. Programming also featured an interactive makeup workshop led by influencer and beauty creator Freddie Chen.
The event also featured the Parents and Professionals Institute (PPI), offering tailored workshops, discussions, resources, and affinity groups for family members, educators, professionals, and other adult supporters of LGBTQ+ youth. The program provided opportunities for participants to connect, share experiences, and strengthen their ability to support LGBTQ+ youth.
Now in its 34th year, Models of Pride continues the Center’s decades-long commitment to creating spaces where LGBTQ+ youth can find belonging, build community, and access the resources and support they need to thrive.
For more information about Models of Pride, visit modelsofpride.org. To learn more about the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s programs and services for LGBTQ+ youth, visit lalgbtcenter.org/services/youth-services.
Models of Pride was made possible by our Senior Sponsors Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo and Glamazon L.A.—Amazon’s LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, Sophomore Sponsor Fabletics; and Freshman sponsors Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Honda, The Automobile Club of Southern California, and GUESS Foundation.
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Wade Family Foundation
The Wade Family Foundation provides relief to marginalized communities in need and is an activation lab for the family’s core values, responding in real time to issues that touch their hearts and minds. The family uses their platform to help advance racial justice and LGBTQ equality among other causes. In 2024, through the Wade Family Foundation Zaya and Dwyane Wade launched the Translatable digital platform and resource hub for LGBTQIA+ youth and their families. Translatable serves as a community safe space for youth to express themselves and provide educational tools for their support systems.
Website: www.translatableproject.com (http://www.translatableproject.com/)
Instagram: @translatableproject
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