Social Media Star Bretman Rock Joins the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Models of Pride: A Free Conference for LGBTQ+ Youth
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The youth summit, hosted by the Los Angeles LGBT Center, is the world’s largest free expo for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies, featuring workshops, resources, and entertainment.
Presented by BMO
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LOS ANGELES, October 1, 2024—The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s annual Models of Pride returns for its 32st installment on Sunday, October 20 with a completely revamped layout, transforming the long-running LGBTQ+ youth conference into a celebratory and completely free festival. This year, social media sensation and beauty mogul Bretman Rock will join this year’s Models of Pride as the headlining speaker and honoree at the youth summit on Sunday, October 20, 10AM–4PM. He joins Emmy Award-winning creator Ruba Wilson, a.k.a. RubasWorld, who will return as the event’s host for the second year in a row.
Bretman Rock will be on hand for the event’s keynote conversation and accept the Model of Pride Award—an honor given each year to a positive role model for LGBTQ+ youth. Last year’s honorees included TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney and actor-musician Hayley Kiyoko.
“I believe that if you really want to see a change in the world, you have to do something about it–that’s why I’m honored to accept the Model of Pride Award by the Los Angeles LGBT Center, a beacon of hope for so many people like me,” said Bretman Rock. “I’ve been blessed in my life and career to have a close-knit community that embraces my authenticity. My hope is that I’m able to support the confidence it takes for our young people to fully lean into their baddie era and make their wildest dreams come true,” added Rock.
Models of Pride is a unique intergenerational experience curated specifically for LA students, parents, and professionals offering nearly 100 activations. This year’s event will be held at the Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus in Hollywood, where over 600 attendees will gather for a day of activities, panels and resources.
“We are thrilled to once again welcome LA’s young people to experience the magic and movement behind Models of Pride—a longstanding celebration and resource fair equipping today’s students and families with the support to live life authentically and unapologetically,” said Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner.
Presented by BMO, Models of Pride will also include chill lounges, carnival games, and delicious food. All LGBTQ+ youth ages 24 and younger and their friends and families are invited to attend.
“At BMO, we are proud of our commitment to driving progress for an inclusive society – one in which every individual has the opportunity to thrive,” said Augustin De Kerversau, Senior Executive, BMO Commercial Bank. “We believe that by continuing to support events like Models of Pride, we can inspire the next generation of leaders and ensure that everyone feels empowered to succeed.”
The conference also includes the Parents and Professionals Institute, which offers family members, educators, professionals, and all other adult supporters of LGBTQ+ youth an unparalleled opportunity to connect with others on a similar journey.
Models of Pride is also made possible by Senior Sponsors Comcast NBCUniversal Telemundo, Glamazon L.A.—Amazon’s LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, NYX Professional Makeup, and U.S. Bank. Junior sponsors are Edison International, Waymo and Yitty. Freshman sponsor is First Citizens Bank.
For more information or to register, visit modelsofpride.org.
WHAT:
Models of Pride
The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Models of Pride returns for its 32nd year with a completely refreshed event, transforming the long-running LGBTQ+ youth summit into a celebratory—and completely free—festival of love, acceptance and joy. The revamped Models of Pride Festival features a new venue, exciting and interactive activities, dancing and music, and show-stopping musical performances.
WHEN:
Sunday, October 20, 2024, 10AM–4PM
WHERE:
Los Angeles LGBT Center
Anita May Rosenstein Campus
1118 N. McCadden Pl.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
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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 18-24) 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 LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more LGBT 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 LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org