HRC Foundation to Host Time to THRIVE Conference on Youth Safety and Inclusion Feb. 16-18

by Allison Turner

HRC Foundation will host its fifth annual Time to THRIVE Conference from February 16-18 at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando.

HRC Foundation announced that it will be hosting the organization’s fifth annual Time to THRIVE Conference on February 16-18 at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando. During the conference, HRC will honor extraordinary advocates including LGBTQ ally Betty DeGeneres, transgender trailblazer Gavin Grimm and groundbreaking health care provider Dr. Ximena Lopez. HRC National Press Secretary Sarah McBride, along with HRC’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council, Youth Ambassadors and Welcoming Schools Program will also be featured.

“We are counting down the days to this inspiring gathering of teachers, principals, social workers,  doctors and other youth-serving professionals who are truly invested in the well-being of all children -- and committed to learning how to ensure their safety and success,” said Vincent Pompei, Director of HRC's Youth Well-Being Project and Time to THRIVE Conference chair. “From talking to thousands of LGBTQ youth, HRC knows that they face significant and enduring challenges in health care settings, at school and at home. Now more than ever, these young people need to know the professionals in their lives are advocating for them. Time to THRIVE gives these professionals the tools, resources and inspiration to help every child thrive.”

The conference comes as HRC and the University of Connecticut are releasing detailed results from a groundbreaking new survey of more than 50,000 LGBTQ youth across the nation. Critical information gleaned from the survey will be highlighted at Time to THRIVE, and researchers from the University of Connecticut will present their eye-opening -- and often sobering -- findings about the lives of our nation’s LGBTQ youth.

HRC Foundation’s Time to THRIVE brings together a wide range of youth-serving professionals to discuss best practices for working with and caring for LGBTQ youth and their families in schools, community centers, health care settings and beyond. They will be hearing from subject matter experts and advocates in sessions ranging from a primer on the legal rights of LGBTQ youth in K-12 public schools and creating LGBTQ-inclusive schools, to resisting racism in our communities and reducing substance abuse among LGBTQ youth.

Other speakers will include Rep.Val Demings (D-Fla.); transgender athlete Chris Mosier; transgender author and reality show star Jazz Jennings; singer Johnny Manuel; Dreamer and sexual assault survivor Yuridia Ramirez; Christine Leinonen, whose son was killed in the Pulse nightclub attack; Pulse survivor Brandon Wolf; and Judy and Dennis Shepard of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

The conference is co-presented by the National Education Association and the American Counseling Association. Toyota, BBVA Compass and AT&T are presenting sponsors of the event.

If you are interested in attending or finding out more about Time to THRIVE, receiving more information on the new HRC-University of Connecticut youth survey findings or arranging an interview with our experts and others at the conference, please email allison.turner@hrc.org.