Los Angeles LGBT Center To Honor Youth Advocate and Model Zaya Wade at 34th Annual Models of Pride
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Models of Pride is the world’s largest free event for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies, featuring workshops, resources, entertainment, and more.
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LOS ANGELES, September 10, 2026—The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s 34th annual annual Models of Pride, the world’s largest free event for LGBTQ+ youth returns to the Anita May Rosenstein Campus in Hollywood on Saturday, October 10.
This year, TGI+ youth advocate and model Zaya Wade will join Models of Pride as headlining speaker and honoree. Wade will receive the Model of Pride Award, an honor given each year to a positive role model for LGBTQ+ youth. Previous honorees include Dylan Mulvaney, Bretman Rock, and Trixie Mattel.
“The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s impactful work shows what is possible when we invest in trans, gender-expansive, and nonbinary youth: we create pathways to joy, leadership, and liberation, just as my project Translatable strives to do. Accepting the Model of Pride Award is not just an honor for me; it’s a call to keep fighting for the future we all deserve. Now more than ever, our community needs to stand united so every young person can grow up knowing their truth is their power,” said honoree Zaya Wade.
For over 30 years, Models of Pride has brought together hundreds of LGBTQ+ young people 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.
“For more than three decades, Models of Pride has been a joyful celebration of LGBTQ+ youth and a space where young people can feel safe, affirmed, and empowered,” said Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner. “Zaya Wade has a meaningful history with the Center, including her support of our Trans Wellness Center, and embodies the courage and authenticity that make her such a powerful role model for LGBTQ+ youth. We are proud to honor her with this year’s Model of Pride Award and celebrate the strength, leadership, and brilliance of queer and trans young people.”
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, and Freshman sponsors Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP 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 complete 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
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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