Los Angeles LGBT Center to Honor UK Pop Music Sensation and Grammy-Nominated Artist MNEK at 34th Annual Models of Pride
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MNEK joins honorees Zaya Wade and Curly Velasquez alongside TikTok star
and returning host Ruba Wilson at the world’s largest free event for LGBTQ+ youth.
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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 8, 2026—Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer MNEK will receive the Artist of Pride Award at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s 34th annual Models of Pride, taking place Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus in Hollywood. MNEK joins Model of Pride honoree Zaya Wade and Storyteller of Pride honoree Curly Velasquez. Emmy Award-winning creator and internet personality Ruba Wilson, a.k.a. RubasWorld, returns to host the world’s largest free event for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies.
“Thank you to the Los Angeles LGBT Center for this honor, and for building a space where LGBTQ+ young people can show up as themselves,” said MNEK. “A lot of my career has been about learning to take up space and make music on my own terms. I’m looking forward to being at Models of Pride and celebrating with the young people who are doing the same”
A musical polymath whose career spans more than a decade, MNEK has made his mark as a solo artist, songwriter, and producer across pop, R&B, dance, and electronic music. His songwriting and production credits include work with Beyoncé, Zara Larsson, FLO, Little Mix, Rudimental, and more. Most recently, MNEK executive produced Zara Larsson’s album Midnight Sun, with its title track earning a Grammy nomination. In September 2026, he released his sophomore album, BULLDOZER!!, his first solo album in eight years. Loud, playful, and audacious, the album explores Black and queer identity, relationships, and self-expression while reflecting MNEK’s confidence in himself, his artistry, and creating on his own terms.
MNEK joins previously announced headlining speaker and honoree Zaya Wade, who will receive the Model of Pride Award, an honor given each year to a positive role model for LGBTQ+ youth. A TGI+ youth advocate and model, Wade has used her platform to champion trans, gender-expansive, and nonbinary youth. In 2024, Wade and her father, Dwyane Wade, launched Translatable, a digital safe space and resource hub for LGBTQIA+ youth and their families. Previous Model of Pride honorees include Dylan Mulvaney, Bretman Rock, and Trixie Mattel.
Also being honored is digital creator, producer, and media executive Curly Velasquez, who will receive the inaugural Storyteller of Pride Award for his work expanding queer and Latino representation across digital media and entertainment. A Salvadoran American creator based in Los Angeles, Velasquez rose to prominence at BuzzFeed, where he co-founded the influential digital series Pero Like, and currently serves as Vice President of Development at LatiNation Media, overseeing original series, talent development, and creator-driven storytelling. Actor Mishel Prada will present Velasquez with the Storyteller of Pride Award during the stage program.
“I’m grateful to the Los Angeles LGBT Center for giving LGBTQ+ young people a place to be fully, unapologetically themselves,” said Curly Velasquez. “Being part of Models of Pride is especially meaningful because I know how powerful it is to see someone like you living boldly and making room for the next generation to do the same. I hope young people leave knowing they don’t have to wait for permission to dream big, tell their stories, or take up space. There’s room for all of us—and we get to decide what that looks like,” Velasquez added.
Returning to the Models of Pride stage is Ruba Wilson (RubasWorld), an Emmy Award-winning digital creator and internet personality with more than 1.5 million followers on TikTok. Wilson previously hosted Models of Pride in 2023 and 2024, and returns this year to bring their signature energy to a full day of performances, workshops, activities, and community connection.
This year’s programming will also feature influencer and beauty creator Freddie Chen, who will lead an interactive makeup workshop, along with music from DJ SUCCUBUS throughout the day.
“For more than three decades, Models of Pride has given LGBTQ+ young people a place to come together, feel seen, find community, and imagine what’s possible,” said Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner. “That matters now more than ever and this year’s honorees—Zaya Wade, MNEK, and Curly Velasquez—each show us what can happen when you believe in yourself, follow your dreams, and refuse to make yourself smaller for anyone else. We’re proud to put these incredible role models in the same room with the next generation and remind young people that their stories matter, their dreams are worth pursuing, and there is a whole community cheering them on.”
For over 30 years, Models of Pride has brought together hundreds of LGBTQ+ youth and allies for a free day of connection, learning, and celebration. Youth ages 24 and younger can connect with LGBTQ+ peers, explore resources, participate in interactive workshops and activities, and enjoy performances, arts and crafts, a resource college and job fair, gaming, karaoke, and more.
Models of Pride also includes the Parents and Professionals Institute (PPI) for professionals, family members, educators, and all other adult supporters of LGBTQ+ youth. PPI offers tailored workshops, discussions, resources, affinity groups, and other inclusive programming designed to foster connection, learning, and community.
For more information or to register, visit modelsofpride.org. Press interested in covering the event are encouraged to contact [email protected].
Models of Pride is 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.
WHAT
Models of Pride (34th Annual)
The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Models of Pride returns for its 34th year with a completely free day of love, acceptance, and queer joy. The event brings together hundreds of LGBTQ+ young people and allies for interactive workshops, performances, activities, resources, and opportunities to connect and celebrate community.
WHEN
Saturday, October 10, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE
Los Angeles LGBT Center
Anita May Rosenstein Campus
1118 N. McCadden Pl.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
REGISTRATION
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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