We are thrilled to welcome the community back for the 16th Annual EDGY Conference (Embracing the Diversity of GLBTQ+ Youth and Families) on June 15, 2026. With less than two weeks to go, now is the time to secure your spot before registration closes on June 12. This year’s conference is shaping up to be one of our largest and most impactful gatherings yet, and we expect to reach capacity. If you’ve been thinking about attending, don’t wait—register today and join hundreds of professionals, educators, caregivers, advocates, youth, and allies for a powerful day of learning, inspiration, connection, and action.
Centered around the theme, Together We Thrive: Queer Youth, Community, and Change, EDGY 2026 will explore the challenges, opportunities, and collective responsibility we share in creating affirming spaces where LGBTQ+ youth can thrive. Attendees will leave with practical tools, new perspectives, valuable resources, and a renewed sense of hope and community.
This year’s keynote lineup features some of the most respected voices in LGBTQ+ advocacy, mental health, education, and community engagement. Dr. Lulu will present Bias Begins at Home: Raising Affirmed LGBTQ+ Youth Across Identities, exploring how families and communities can foster belonging and affirmation. National motivational speaker Lucca Petrucci will share his inspiring keynote, The Class We Never Got but Always Needed: How to Accept Yourself, a moving conversation about authenticity, healing, and self-acceptance. Attendees will also hear from nationally recognized LGBTQIA+ expert John Sovec on creating affirming support systems for youth, while Amy Ruiz, known throughout the drag community as Justyn Caze, will take attendees on an educational and entertaining journey through the history, impact, and cultural significance of drag.
In addition to our keynote presentations, EDGY 2026 will feature a diverse selection of breakout workshops addressing many of the issues facing LGBTQ+ youth and families today. Sessions will explore topics such as affirming healthcare, identity exploration, allyship, mentorship, trauma-informed care, faith and queerness, exploitation prevention, healing-centered arts, and trans-inclusive therapeutic practices. Highlights include LGBTQ-Rx’s powerful panel What We Wish We Heard: Affirmations as Preventative Care for LGBTQ+ Youth, Faith Northern’s 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. Whether you are a seasoned professional or someone looking to better support the LGBTQ+ community, EDGY offers meaningful opportunities for growth, learning, and connection.
Our Resource Fair will also feature more than 30 community organizations, service providers, educational institutions, and advocacy groups dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth and families. The Resource Fair provides attendees with an opportunity to connect directly with local resources, discover new partnerships, and learn about services available throughout Los Angeles County and beyond. A limited number of Resource Fair tables and Sponsorship Opportunities are still available for organizations looking to engage with attendees and demonstrate their commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity.
EDGY has become one of California’s premier conferences focused on LGBTQ+ youth and families, bringing together people who are passionate about creating safer, healthier, and more affirming communities. Whether you are attending for professional development, personal growth, networking, or advocacy, EDGY 2026 promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Registration closes June 12th, and space is limited. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this inspiring day of education, empowerment, and community. We look forward to welcoming you on June 15 as we come together to learn, connect, and thrive.
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.
