Hundreds of LGBTQ attendees from nonprofits all over the country are gathered in Chicago for the 2024 CenterLink Conference to advance LGBTQ equality throughout the country. They also stopped by the GLAAD Media Institute’s table to commemorate, celebrate, and recognize Spirit Day, the world’s most visible anti-bullying campaign inspiring LGBTQ youth, especially transgender and nonbinary youth, to live their lives in their truth and authenticity.
Some of the LGBTQ leaders combined their support for LGBTQ youth with a call to vote in the November 5 election. Voting is one way to support and protect LGBTQ youth. Make your plan to vote at www.glaad.org/vote.
Meet Jazz McKinney (left), Executive Director of Grand Rapids Pride Center, along with Jerrell Hardnett (right), Associate Director of the GLAAD Media Institute’s Education & Advocacy Team
Eddie Martinez (he/him), Executive Director of Latino Equality Alliance of Los Angeles, California
Jason DeShazo (any pronouns) (left), Founder, Consultant, President of Rose Dynasty, and Hannah Mathre (they/them) (right), Youth Director of Rose Dynasty in Lakeland Florida.
Heather Ely (they/she), Executive Director of Rainbow Bridge Community Center in Barre, Vermont
Jennifer Evans (she/her), Executive Director, Out On The Lakeshore in West Michigan
Shelly Fitzgerald (she/they), Director of Resource Development for the Indiana Youth Group, Indianapolis, Indiana
Carrie Rai (she/her), Executive Director of Tony’s Place in Houston, Texas
Karen Berg-DiGangi (she/her) Board Co-Chair of the Western Montana LGBTQ+ Community Center in Missoula, Montana
James Giessler (he/him), Executive Director of North Shore Alliance of GLBTQ+ Youth in Salem, Massachusetts
Richard W. Garnett (he/him), New York City Advocate of New York City, New York
Ross Murray (he/him), the Vice President of the GLAAD Media Institute of New York City, New York
Tekoah Boatner (she/her), CEO of Youth Oasis in Baton Rouge Louisiana
Jerrell Hardnett (he/him) (left), Associate Director of the GLAAD Media Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, and DL McKinney (they/them) (right), Director at Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center
Lana Leonard (they/them)(left), Associate of Education And Advocacy at the GLAAD Media Institute in New York City, New York, and Roz Keith (she/her)(right), Executive Director of Stand With Trans in the At-Large Detroit Area
Ximón Kittok (they/them), Executive Director of Grand Rapids Trans Foundation in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dr. Shaciarra Hamilton (any/she/her), Vice President of the UP Center of Champaign County in Illinois
Rex Fuller (he/him), CEO of The Center on Colfax in Denver Colorado
Jehlani White (he/him), Event Chair/Board Member for Colors+ Youth Center in Fairview Park Ohio
Kat Dicken (she/they), MSW, Staff at Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center in Durango, Colorado
#SpiritDay is the world’s most visible anti-bullying movement inspiring LGBTQ youth, especially transgender and nonbinary youth to live their lives in their truth and authenticity. This year, on Thursday, October 17th, GLAAD will organize thousands of celebrities, influential voices, news & media outlets, tv & film studios, brands & corporations, landmarks, sports leagues, tech leaders, influencers, faith groups and so many more to go purple and support LGBTQ youth by creating clear possibility models for them to thrive and be represented in the world.