P
AGE
11
MOVING FORWARD- Youth Panel and HMI staff
pose for a photo op.
Photo courtesy of Human Rights Campaign
The time is now:
Jesus Figueroa
Writer
The LGBTQ community fights
for equality throughout the nation
by battling for the right for samesex marriages.
The Human Rights Organization
premiered the first “Time to
THRIVE” conference in :Las
Vegas, Nevada this past February.
Already the conference has
gotten attention with Ellen Page
taking the stage to come out as a
lesbian.
The indie movie star thanked the
audience for being the inspiration
for the strength to be true to herself
and speak up.
In Page’s speech she said that
she had never lied about being a
lesbian but she had never openly
admitted to it.
The turnout in support of the
LGBTQ community and the
purpose behind the event gave her
the courage she needed to take the
stage and speak those words she
had not been able to say.
“I am here today because I am
gay,” Page said, “and because
maybe I can make a difference.
To help others have an easier and
more hopeful time. Regardless for
me, I feel a personal obligation
and social responsibility.”
The courage to stand on stage
and come out to thousands shows
the respect she has for the LGBTQ
community.
“It takes courage for anyone
to come out as LGBTQ,” “Time
to THRIVE” conference chair