Penny Lane Centers is excited to welcome the community back for the 16th Annual EDGY Conference (Embracing the Diversity of GLBTQ+ Youth and Families) on June 15, 2026. With the conference quickly approaching, now is the time to register before it’s too late. This year’s EDGY Conference is shaping up to be one of our biggest and most impactful events yet, and we fully anticipate selling out. Centered around the powerful theme, Together We Thrive: Queer Youth, Community, and Change, EDGY 2026 will bring together professionals, educators, caregivers, advocates, youth, and allies for a day filled with learning, inspiration, healing, and action. If you’ve been thinking about attending, don’t wait, secure your spot today and be part of a transformative experience dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ youth and families.
This year’s presenter lineup is one of the strongest we have ever hosted, featuring nationally recognized speakers, clinicians, advocates, educators, and community leaders from across the country. Keynote presenters include Dr. Lulu, whose session Bias Begins at Home: Raising Affirmed LGBTQ+ Youth Across Identities explores how families and communities can create emotionally safe and affirming environments for LGBTQ+ youth. National motivational speaker Lucca Petrucci will share his deeply personal and inspiring keynote, The Class We Never Got but Always Needed: How to Accept Yourself, focused on healing, self-acceptance, and authenticity. Attendees will also hear from nationally recognized LGBTQIA+ expert John Sovec on building affirming support systems for LGBTQIA+ youth in schools and communities, while Amy Ruiz, known in the drag community as Justyn Caze, will take attendees on an educational and entertaining journey through the history and cultural significance of drag.
In addition to our incredible keynote sessions, EDGY 2026 will feature dynamic breakout workshops covering critical topics impacting LGBTQ+ youth and families today. Workshops include conversations around affirming healthcare, identity exploration, mentorship, allyship, trauma-informed care, faith and queerness, intimate partner violence prevention, exploitation prevention, healing-centered arts, and trans-inclusive therapeutic spaces. Highlights include LGBTQ-Rx’s powerful panel What We Wish We Heard: Affirmations as Preventative Care for LGBTQ+ Youth, Faith Northern’s workshop Queerness & the Black Church Effect, Kris Eterea’s engaging Full Fantasy: Dungeons, Dragons and Identity Exploration with LGBTQ+ Youth, and Ellen Craig’s timely presentation From Awareness to Action: Advocating for Trans and Queer Youth. From practical tools and professional development to healing, creativity, and community-building, EDGY 2026 offers something meaningful for everyone committed to supporting LGBTQ+ youth.
Organizations and community partners are also invited to join our highly anticipated Resource Fair and sponsorship program. With over 30 organizations expected to participate, the Resource Fair provides an incredible opportunity to connect directly with conference attendees, showcase services, and build meaningful partnerships with professionals and advocates from across LA County. Resource Fair participation includes two conference registration tickets, making it a valuable opportunity to both engage and learn. Sponsorship opportunities are also still available for organizations looking to make a lasting impact while gaining visibility throughout the conference experience. Whether you’re attending, sponsoring, presenting, or hosting a resource table, EDGY 2026 is a chance to stand alongside a community dedicated to affirming and empowering LGBTQ+ youth. Registration is open now, but space is limited. Don’t miss your opportunity to join us for what will be one of the most powerful EDGY Conferences yet.
For any questions, if you want to join our resource fair, become a sponsor, or anything else, please reach out to Cameron Glasgow- cglasgow@pennylane.org.
Are you interested in submitting a workshop proposal for Penny Lane Center's 5th Annual Rise Up Conference? We are now accepting workshop proposals until July 31st, 2026. We want you to help build awareness and enhance understanding of racial and social justice issues with over 300 attendees! Click the links to learn more about Rise Up 2026 and to submit your proposal!
Penny Lane Centers invites you to be part of Rise Up 2026, our annual racial and social justice conference taking place on November 4th. This year’s theme, The Power of Belonging, challenges us to explore what it truly means to create spaces where every individual is seen, valued, and connected. In a time marked by division and exclusion, belonging is more than a concept—it is a critical foundation for healing, equity, and lasting change.
Rise Up 2026 will bring together community partners, advocates, educators, and thought leaders for a day of meaningful dialogue and action. Together, we will examine how systems and structures shape belonging, confront the barriers that prevent full inclusion, and highlight the practices that foster connection across diverse communities. From courageous leadership to community-driven solutions, this year’s conference is grounded in moving from awareness to accountability.
We are now accepting workshop proposals from individuals and organizations who are ready to share their knowledge, experiences, and strategies. We welcome interactive, engaging sessions that align with this year’s theme and offer practical tools, innovative approaches, or powerful storytelling that inspires action. Whether you are leading work in education, mental health, community organizing, policy, or beyond, your voice and perspective are essential to this collective experience.
This is your opportunity to contribute to a space that uplifts voices, sparks connection, and drives meaningful change. If you are passionate about advancing belonging, equity, and justice, we encourage you to submit a proposal and help shape the conversation at Rise Up 2026. Click the link to learn more and submit your workshop proposal today.
Rise Up Conference website: RiseUpConference
Submit Your Workshop Proposal: RISEUP2026
For any questions, if you want to join our resource fair, become a sponsor, or anything else, please reach out to Judy Grant- jgrant@pennylane.org.
