Debi Jackson Will Be Featured at HRC’s National Time to THRIVE Conference

Time to THRIVE is a national conference for youth-serving professionals hosted by the Human Rights Campaign. Attendees include K-12 educators, mental health providers, pediatricians, religious leaders, recreational athletic coaches, and youth development staff (Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, scout leaders, etc.), working together to support the LGBTQ youth population.

Time to THRIVE’s goal is to build awareness and cultural competency, learn current and emerging best practices, and gather resources from leading experts and national organizations in the field.

I am thrilled to announce that I will be a speaker at this year’s conference in Portland, Oregon, in February. Actor and activist George Takei will be presented with the Upstander Award, and I am honored to be part of an event that includes someone of his caliber who has done so much for expanding love and acceptance of the LGBTQ community through kindness, wit, and humor.

“We are honored and humbled to have such powerful advocates join us to bring attention to the needs of our LGBT and questioning youth, many of whom face family rejection, bullying and constant safety concerns,” said Vincent Pompei, chair of Time to THRIVE, and director of the HRC Foundation’s Youth Well-Being Project. “George Takei and Debi Jackson are two of the most compelling, eloquent voices out there speaking on behalf of LGBTQ equality.”

Thank you all for the support that has allowed my video to be shared so many times, to reach so many struggling families, and to allow me the opportunity to explain how wonderful our trans youth are and the blessings that come along with loving them. It is, indeed, their Time to THRIVE!