Highlights from the inaugural PRIDE Summit

LOS ANGELES – Here are some of the highlights of my time at the inaugural PRIDE Summit hosted by Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter (08/08/19).

PRIDE Summit with @billboard and @THR reporting for @USATODAY #medillonthehill pic.twitter.com/vIV8E8ujfo

— Thomas Ilalaole (@ThomasIlalaole) August 8, 2019

HERE WE GO! #medillonthehill pic.twitter.com/vXmSdzomec

— Thomas Ilalaole (@ThomasIlalaole) August 8, 2019

“Today we celebrate the visibility of our LGBTQ, family but we look critically at the [music and entertainment] industry and it’s future.” – Alexis Fish; VP and editor of @BillboardPride #medillonthehill

— Thomas Ilalaole (@ThomasIlalaole) August 8, 2019

When asked about representation in the media – “I believe personally…the trans experience gives cisgender people a rare opportunity to be able to face their other side.” – Shea Diamond; Black transgender woman and singer #medillonthehill

— Thomas Ilalaole (@ThomasIlalaole) August 8, 2019

“I don’t see much positive media coverage of independent creators. There’s no discovery through journalism anymore…they’re just reflections of the top. Fun the similarities more than the differences [between traditional and digital media].” – Hannah Hart #medillonthehill

— Thomas Ilalaole (@ThomasIlalaole) August 8, 2019

Influential LGBTQ+ digital content creators when asked about the online space for the community – “There’s been a lot of evolution. It’s become so mainstream. A whole new audience is here.” – @JoeyGraceffa #medillonthehill pic.twitter.com/M5dVVWv5OR

— Thomas Ilalaole (@ThomasIlalaole) August 8, 2019

Drag panel at PRIDE Summit by @billboard and @THR featuring @trixiemattel @BlairStClair @Alaska5000 @Peppermint247 #medillonthehill pic.twitter.com/CJOVBCfqzb

— Thomas Ilalaole (@ThomasIlalaole) August 8, 2019

When asked about music in the LGBTQ+ community – “Music doesn’t have a gender.” – @BlairStClair #medillonthehill

— Thomas Ilalaole (@ThomasIlalaole) August 8, 2019

@Peppermint247 is a goddess and an inspiration #pridesummit #lgbtq #medillonthehill pic.twitter.com/Hoqv208zZ0

— Thomas Ilalaole (@ThomasIlalaole) August 8, 2019

“I think as human beings were scared of the unknown of what we don’t know and what we don’t understand.”
“[This summit and our work] is pushing people to be brave, to grow, to learn. A part of life is to become better people.” – @HayleyKiyoko #lgbtq #pridesummit #medillonthehill

— Thomas Ilalaole (@ThomasIlalaole) August 8, 2019

At the inaugural PRIDE Summit – “the kids are our future.” – @bigfreedia #LGBTQ #pridesummit #medillonthehill

— Thomas Ilalaole (@ThomasIlalaole) August 8, 2019