WorldPride Washington, D.C. Human Rights Conference 2025

Panel: "IN THE SPOTLIGHT: THE POWER AND DUTY OF VISIBILITY IN HUMAN RIGHTS"
This powerful panel, moderated by pioneering actor and LGBTQIA2S+ advocate Wilson Cruz, brings together influential figures Chris Olsen, Raven-Symoné, Brian Michael Smith, Laith Ashley De La Cruz, and Trace Lysette to explore how strategic visibility in entertainment and media can serve as a catalyst for human rights advancement. Cruz, who made history as the first openly gay actor to play an openly gay character in a leading television role, brings decades of advocacy experience to guide this conversation about the evolution and impact of authentic representation.

Panelists will address:
• The evolution of LGBTQIA2S+ representation from tokenistic portrayals to authentic, complex characters and content
• Strategies for leveraging mainstream platforms while maintaining accountability to LGBTQIA2S+ communities
• The intersection of entertainment success and advocacy responsibility, particularly for transgender and queer people of color
• Approaches to using humor, storytelling, and creative expression to challenge prejudice and build understanding
• The balance between personal authenticity and the pressure to represent entire communities

This dynamic conversation features perspectives spanning different generations, racial backgrounds, and career trajectories within entertainment and social media. From Raven-Symoné's decades-long journey as a Disney star who later came out publicly, to Chris Olsen's rapid rise as a TikTok advocate, to the groundbreaking television work of Brian Michael Smith and Trace Lysette, and Laith Ashley's barrier-breaking modeling career, each brings unique insights into how visibility can both empower and burden those in the spotlight.

Moderated by Cruz, whose advocacy journey from experiencing youth homelessness to leading GLSEN demonstrates the trajectory from personal struggle to systemic change, this panel will examine how public figures can transform personal authenticity into collective advancement while navigating the complexities of representation, backlash, and responsibility. This conversation embodies the conference's commitment to recognizing how cultural visibility and creative expression serve as powerful tools for advancing LGBTQIA2S+ equality and challenging systems of oppression through authentic storytelling and fearless representation.