by Elliott Kozuch •
Washington -- Today, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) announced that it will honor longtime ally and LGBTQ advocate Betty DeGeneres with an Upstander Award at the organization’s fifth annual Time to THRIVE Conference on February 16-18 at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando. The announcement comes on the day her daughter, Ellen DeGeneres, who came out publicly two decades ago on her groundbreaking sitcom Ellen, celebrates her 60th birthday.
“Betty has been a tireless, fearless advocate for the LGBTQ community, and we have been proud to call her not only a member of the HRC family for more than two decades, but a true friend,” said Vincent Pompei, Director of HRC's Youth Well-Being Project and Time to THRIVE conference chair. “Betty is the kind of mother all children deserve, and I am so excited to have our conference attendees hear her inspiring message about being a true supporter and ally of LGBTQ youth and the broader LGBTQ community.”
Here are five times Betty DeGeneres has set the standard for #MomGoals during her years as an LGBTQ advocate and ally:
HRC previously announced that it will also honor transgender advocate Gavin Grimm with an Upstander Award during the Time to THRIVE conference. Grimm made history after suing his school district over its discriminatory policy that barred him from using the boy’s restroom, alleging that the district violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. DeGeneres will also join fellow parent-advocates Judy and Dennis Shepard of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. 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 at the conference.
The event 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. It 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.
To register, visit www.TimeToThrive.org.
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is education arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
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