CHARLOTTE — The Third Annual “Believe in Youth Awareness Event,” a partnership between Campus Pride and Time Out Youth, will be held on April 7, 5 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Auditorium at Knight Theatre at Levine Center for the Arts, 430 S. Tryon St.
National young adult leader and marriage equality advocate Zach Wahls will be the guest speaker. The YouTube “kid with two moms” has testified before the Iowa General Assembly about his opposition to an anti-LGBT constitutional amendment there on Jan. 31, 2011, and continues to champion LGBT causes in favor of marriage equality. He’s Tar Heel State bound to share his views one month shy of the May 8 primary.
“Zach’s amazing conviction in standing up for the rights of his family has been an inspiration to LGBT young people, families and straight allies across this nation,” said Campus Pride Executive Director Shane Windmeyer. “At a time when the national debate on marriage equality for same-sex couples continues to be used as a political football, Zach’s simple message of love, honor and commitment reminds each of us what a family is really about and acts to empower young people across the nation to stand up for what they believe is right and true.”
Time Out Youth Executive Director Rodney Tucker added, “Zach represents a new generation of Americans who willing to step up for their LGBT families, friends and peers. Developing strong allies like Zach is important to our mission. Zach is an excellent example of how our straight allies can represent the LGBT community and lead in the fight for equality.”
The event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted for Campus Pride and Time Out Youth.
Wahls is also scheduled to keynote at Camp Pride, Campus Pride’s Summer Leadership Program slated for July 17-22 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., where he will receive Campus Pride’s honorary National Voice & Action Leadership Award.
Pick up the next issue of *qnotes* to learn more about Wahls and the upcoming Camp Pride event.
For more information, visit campuspride.org or timeoutyouth.org.