Taking place on Saturday, October 28, guests will be treated to live performances at the iconic NeueHouse Hollywood in Los Angeles. For over three decades, GLSEN has been working to end discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression and to prompt LGBTQ+ cultural inclusion and awareness in K-12 schools. Rise Up LA not only celebrates GLSEN’s mission but serves as a powerful testament to the progress they’ve made and the journey ahead.
GLSEN presents Peck with the Champion Award for breaking barriers in country music and for serving as a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ youth currently experiencing harmful discrimination and legislation across the country. Orville’s last album, “BRONCO,” received critical and commercial acclaim; prior to that, he released his “Show Pony” EP, which featured a duet with global country icon Shania Twain. He currently is starring in Reese Witherspoon’s “My Kind of Country” on AppleTV.
"Rise Up LA symbolizes GLSEN's dedication to uplifting those who use their platform to amplify LGBTQ+ voices and advocate for inclusivity. Orville Peck’s authentic advocacy and commitment to championing a world where LGBTQ+ youth can feel safe and embraced reflects GLSEN’s mission,” notes GLSEN Executive Director Melanie Willingham-Jaggers. “We’re also welcoming our presenters—Sherry Cola, Wayne Brady, and Fortune Feimster— to the stage for using their voices, talents, and platforms to create positive change in the world.”
The Chinese-born American comedian and actress Sherry Cola will be one of the evening’s presenters. She is known for her role as Alice Kwan in Freeform's Good Trouble and as one of the four leads, Lolo Chen, of the 2023 comedy Joy Ride. Television host, comedian, actor, and singer Wayne Brady will also be presenting. The five-time Emmy Award winner was a regular on the American hit comedy television series Whose Line Is It Anyway? and starred in the hit broadway musical Kinky Boots. American writer, comedian, and actress Fortune Feimster is best known for her television debut on NBC's Last Comic Standing and for starring as Colette on The Mindy Project.
In addition to the event's honorees, Rise Up LA is bolstered by a star-studded events committee including: Joel Kim Booster, LeVar & Stephanie Burton, Tig Notaro, Nico Santos, Wanda Sykes, and more.
This benefit is a vibrant reflection of GLSEN's ongoing mission to create safe and inclusive K-12 schools for LGBTQ+ youth, celebrating the strides they’ve made and to inspire positive change and empower the next generation to embrace their true selves.