December 8, 2023 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Trixie Mattel and Hundreds of LGBTQ+ Youth Celebrate the 30th Annual Models of Pride

Event presented by Glamazon L.A.—Amazon’s LGBTQ+ Affinity Group

Presented by Glamazon L.A.—Amazon’s LGBTQ+ Affinity Group, the 30th anniversary Models of Pride youth conference drew hundreds of LGBTQ+ young people and allies—and special award-winner Trixie Mattel—to Los Angeles City College on October 22. Attendees connected with peers, learned from role models, and got to celebrate with live performances and festivities. Parents and professionals had opportunities to learn from one another, build community, and gain tools to support the LGBTQ+ young people in their lives. 

The day’s highlights included drag queen, musician, entrepreneur, and television phenomenon Trixie Mattel accepting the first-ever Model of Pride Leadership Award.

“Right now, we are witnessing drag becoming weaponized by bad actors on the far right. They are banning Drag Queen Story Hours and trying to paint drag queens as enemies of family values,” Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner said in his opening remarks. “This is a disturbing trend happening across America. What we at the Los Angeles LGBT Center know, and what Trixie Mattel’s prolific career embodies, is that drag is powerful. It is a pathway to unlocking new potential for freeing yourselves of the shackles of gender norms and for embracing the creativity that is waiting to be unleashed inside each and every one of you.”

“I didn’t grow up with much representation on television. At most, gay people on TV were allowed to be the snippy gay assistant or the funny makeup artist or, at best, the sexually ambiguous villain,” Mattel said in her acceptance speech. “I think the reason drag is so inspiring is because queer people are told to minimize everything. We’re told to be the friend or the supporting character. Drag makes us think, what if I’m the main character? I want you guys to know that you are all the main character.”

The Rolf/Uribe Models of Pride Leadership Award, given annually to youth and adults who have been models of pride to the LGBTQ community, was awarded to youth activist Alex Flores and PFLAG Los Angeles Vice President Steve Krantz.

The event was attended by more than 500 youth—including more middle schoolers and younger attendees than any previous Models of Pride—as well as more than 200 parents and professionals. Youth, parents, and professionals attended 100 workshops, with the offerings for youth ranging from “Rights of Youth in CA Public Schools” to “Drag Queen Story Hour.” Adult workshops ranged from “When Your Kid Transitions” to “Creating Affirming Spaces for Queer & Trans Elementary-Age Children.”

Entertainment highlights included performances by the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, Gay Freedom Band of Los Angeles, The Voice finalist Hailey Mia, Mayhem Miller of RuPaul’s Drag Race, DJ Brynn Taylor, and Mike Xavier. Attendees also enjoyed a continental breakfast, a catered backyard BBQ lunch, and a dessert extravaganza.

Models of Pride is the world’s largest free conference for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies, filled with life-enriching workshops, entertainment, resources, and more to help attendees to build confidence and self-esteem while developing valuable life skills. The conference also offers family members, educators, professionals, and all other LGBTQ+ supporters the opportunity to attend the Parents and Professionals Institute at Models of Pride, which offers tailored workshops, a resource fair and celebratory reception.

The Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Models of Pride is Glamazon L.A.—Amazon’s LGBTQ+ Affinity Group. Senior Sponsors are Comcast NBCUniversal, U.S. Bank, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Sophomore sponsor is Edison International and Omnicom Group. Freshman sponsors are The Aerospace Corporation, Los Angeles City College, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Pacific Western Bank. Official Airline Partner is American Airlines.

in NEWS
Related Posts

Celebrated Chefs Feniger and Milliken to Debut Alice B., Their First Palm Springs Venture

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

Feniger & Milliken’s Alice B. Opens its Doors in Palm Springs This Week  Award-winning chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue...

LA County’s Winter Virus Surge: New Respwatch Dashboard Unveiled to Track COVID-19, Flu, and RSV

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

Stay Informed, Stay Safe: County Launches Comprehensive Surveillance Tool for Respiratory Viruses By Dolores Quintana In the past week, respiratory...

Norman Lear’s Legacy Illuminated at 2023 Sentinel Awards Celebrating Impactful TV Storytelling

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

Beverly Hills Event Honors Lear’s Enduring Influence on Television and Social Narratives By Dolores Quintana The Writers Guild Theater in...

LA City Council To Vote on Recommendation Which Could Eliminate Al Fresco Space

December 7, 2023

December 7, 2023

Vote To Take Place in 24 Hours, Small Restaurant Urges Action From Food Fans By Dolores Quintana A last-minute development...

LA Times Unveils Top 101 Restaurants in Los Angeles for 2023 – Westside Gems Shine Bright

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Food Critic Bill Addison’s Culinary Examination Recognizes Outstanding LA Eateries By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles Times food critic Bill...

Second Fatality Linked to Panera’s Charged Lemonade Sparks Legal Action

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Panera Faces Lawsuit Over Caffeinated Beverage Following Tragic Death By Dolores Quintana Panera Bread is under legal scrutiny again as...

West Hollywood Joins Forces for 34th Annual Toy and Food Drive – Spreading Joy to Families in Need

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

City Collaborates with Sheriff’s Station to Bring Holiday Cheer through Monetary Donations, Toys, and Gift Cards By Dolores Quintana In...

Human Rights Speakers Series Presents a Touching Documentary on Fatherhood, Brotherhood, and Unconditional Love

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Netflix Partners with the City of West Hollywood for Exclusive Screening of ‘The Dads’ In partnership with Netflix, the City...

LA Metro Boosts Train Buzz: Faster Rides and Later Service Begin December 10

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Responding to Rider Surge, Metro Improves Frequencies On A, C, E, and K Lines By Dolores Quintana Responding to an...

Lyft Spreads Holiday Cheer: $20K in Free Ride Credits for Disabled and Elderly Residents in LA

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

Partnering with Local Organizations, Lyft Gives Back to Ease Holiday Travel Struggles  By Dolores Quintana As the holiday season unfolds,...

Los Angeles Payroll Report Shows That Significant Numbers of City Employees Aren’t Local

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

City Controller Mejia’s Report Calls Attention to City Workers Place of Residence By Dolores Quintana In the realm of payroll,...

Protest Erupts in Los Angeles Over City’s Approval of Rent Hike Approval

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Residents and Advocacy Groups Unite Against City Council’s Decision By Dolores Quintana In Los Angeles, residents took to the streets...

Billie Eilish Sarcastically Responds to Unexpected Outing at Variety Awards

December 5, 2023

December 5, 2023

Hitmakers Awards Ceremony Interview Aftermath Prompts IG Response By Dolores Quintana In a recent interview with the entertainment industry trade...

AIDS Healthcare Foundation Accuses California Apartment Association of Antisemitism

December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023

Tensions Rise as AHF Calls Out Alleged Antisemitic Language, Unconventional Tactics By Dolores Quintana Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a...

Los Angeles City Council Approves Police Permits for Airbnb Hosts and Short-Term Rentals

December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023

New Law Targets Party Houses and Crime, Introduces Permitting Requirement The Los Angeles City Council has given the green light...