HRC Foundation’s 2020 Time to THRIVE Conference in support of LGBTQ youth kicked off this Friday in Washington, D.C., with an exciting opening reception filled with awards and entertainment.

The annual event is held in partnership with the American Counseling Association and the National Education Association, with AT&T, BBVA and Toyota as presenting sponsors. In its seventh year, HRC Foundation’s premier national event addresses safety, inclusion and well-being for LGBTQ youth, and brings together 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.

HRC Time to Thrive Plenary featuring luminaries like Don Lemon, HRC President Alphonso David and beloved activists Judy and Dennis Shepard. Already a huge weekend! #sherrsdc @HRC @ Renaissance Washington, DC… https://t.co/pQH1uiO0st

— Sherri Rase (@SherrRase) February 15, 2020

HRC presented Don Lemon, Sam Long and Jamie Clayton with Upstander Awards during the opening plenary of the conference, and trans advocate and singer and songwriter Shea Diamond closed out the night with a moving performance.

��✨Singer, song writer and trans advocate @iamsheadiamond closed out the first night of #TimeToTHRIVE with a fabulous performance.

We cannot wait for what the rest of the weekend has in store! pic.twitter.com/pzx734grRl

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 15, 2020

Don Lemon, Emmy-winning anchor for CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, came out publicly as gay in his 2011 memoir “Transparent,” and has been an outspoken voice for the LGBTQ community in the media and beyond for many years.

“Yes, I am a journalist. I’m also an American. I’m also gay. I’m also Black...I’ve also struggled like you.”@HRC is proud to present @donlemon with an Upstander Award at our #TimeToTHRIVE Conference ��️‍�� pic.twitter.com/cLWJwwJSG0

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 15, 2020

Sam Long, a transgender high school biology teacher from Colorado, is an advocate for LGBTQ-inclusive curricula in K-12 schools and an expert at developing gender-inclusive biology curricula.

Teachers don't receive a lot of awards. This means a lot to me, to be honored for doing the work most important for me. Thanks. HRC #TimeToThrive https://t.co/tK0Bd93oqv

— Sam Long �� (@samlong713) February 15, 2020

Jamie Clayton is a transgender actress who currently stars on “The L Word: Generation Q” and is a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ community.

“I know the characters I play matter...Activism can come in many forms.” - @MsJamieClayton, #TimeToTHRIVE Upstander Award honoree ������ pic.twitter.com/7yxEMWG5R0

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) February 15, 2020

Other speakers included HRC President Alphonso David, HRC Youth Ambassadors Ashton Mota, Savannah Skyler, Molly Pinta, Armando Hernandez, Jr., Nakiya Lynch, Sam Moehlig and Zoey Luna, Chief Executive Officer of the American Counseling Association Rich Yep, Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Alliances at AT&T Scott Sapperstein, Secretary-Treasurer of the National Education Association Princess Moss, Chief Compliance Officer at BBVA Celie Niehaus and activists Judy and Dennis Shepard.

Reading the #TimetoThrive program this morning and getting excited for a weekend full of learning! Can't wait to bring back new research & strategies for supporting LGBTQ youth to @NationalPTA pic.twitter.com/Ii7nSXSdGr

— Rebecca Bauer (@Rebecca_Bauer1) February 14, 2020

 

 

 

 

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‪”Think about someone in your life who gave you unconditional support. It’s our job to be that person for every student. It is our job to be that kind, caring, non- judgmental individual for our education colleagues.” @hrc @NEAToday #TimeToTHRIVE‬

A post shared by Princess Moss (@princess_moss) on Feb 14, 2020 at 5:05pm PST

Loved hearing from & celebrating @HRC #Upstander @donlemon at #TimeToTHRIVE: ‘Even if these challenging times, know this - we, will be okay..’ #LGBTQ #inclusion #equity #ThankYouDon #YForAll @GlobalYMCA here in force with 60+ people!! @_MoonlitMystery pic.twitter.com/ooONRNOuDR

— Chad Nico Hiu (@chadnico) February 15, 2020

“Lift others. Those of us with privilege must create space for those with less privileges.” #MollyPinta #pintapride Thank you, Molly! #TimeToTHRIVE #timetothrive2020

— Ms. Rutkowski (@NYAZORteacher) February 15, 2020

 

 

 

 

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Slay. #TIMEtoThrive

A post shared by Savannah Skyler (@thesavannahsky) on Feb 14, 2020 at 4:49pm PST