Page 23 - BEQ Magazine Vol2 Iss4 V2

ext Gen Pioneers—Samuel, Women of ClexaCon (Ashley, BEQ Pride Editorial Board

Danielle and Holly), Moez, David, Malcolm and Angelica—
are all conquering new territory and standing out and standing

Nproud while they make a difference. These individuals have

overcome seemingly insurmountable odds or challenging circumstances by

changing obstacles into springboards toward new opportunity. Our BEQ Pride

Editorial Board weighs in on these eight Next Gen Pioneers.

called conversion therapy, which together fans, actresses, content
SAMUEL BRINTON can cause depression, substance creators, academics and artists
(They, Their) is 30 abuse and even suicide. But some for panels, workshops, meet and
NON-PROFIT — Political mental health providers continue greets and social and charity events
Activist, Nuclear Engineer,
Presidential Adviser/ 50 States to subject young LGBTQ people in order to celebrate LGBTQ
5o Bills Founder @sbrinton to these practices—also known as characters and stories in TV, film
Ending #ConversionTherapy with “reparative therapy,” “ex-gay ther- and print media and to discuss
#50Bills50States, #NuclearWaste apy,” or “sexual orientation change how the LGBTQ community can
efforts”—even though they have be better represented within the
Sam Brinton does not blend in. been condemned by every major media. Holly Winebarger is one
Sam has walked the corridors of medical and mental health organi- of the original Co-founders and Samuel Brinton
power as an adviser to Presidents zation in the country. https://vim- Executive Director of ClexaCon.
on nuclear energy issues—sporting eo.com/202667479 She was inspired to create an event
their trademark red mohawk and to celebrate LGBTQ fans after
frequently wearing sparkly heels CLEXACON - noticing the negative impact of
paired with more traditionally mas- ASHLEY ARNOLD poor representation of LGBTQ
culine attire. In addition to being an (She, Her) is 27; characters on TV, especially after
actual nuclear engineer, Sam is also DANIELLE JABLONSKI seeing the hurt and outrage of
an activist against conversion thera- (She, Her) is 39 and younger LGBTQ women who were
py. After surviving this horrific form HOLLY WINEBARGER voicing their frustration and anger
of abuse as a child, Sam is working (She, Her) is 36 on social media. Holly brings over
to make conversion therapy ille- SMALL BUSINESS — Multi- ten years of marketing and event-
gal through their #50Bills50States Fandom Media and Entertainment planning experience to the team.
campaign. As the Trevor Project’s Event Organizers @ClexaCon Holly is responsible for managing Holly Winebarger
Danielle Jablonski
chief advocacy officer, Sam ensures day-to-day logistics and finances Ashley Arnold
that the organization is advancing ClexaCon is a media and for ClexaCon. Danielle Jablonski
policies and positions that help entertainment convention for and Ashley Arnold are also
LGBTQ youth in crisis. LGBTQ women and allies. What Executive Directors of ClexaCon
began as an idea for a small fan and joined the ClexaCon team
BEQ PRIDE ON SAMUEL BRIN- gathering grew within a year into a shortly after the original idea
TON: 50 States 50 Bills is the brain- globally-known, must-attend event formed. They both played a large
child of Sam Brinton, a campaign for LGBTQ women and allies role in shaping the convention
that Sam believes will save lives interested in representation in TV into not just an event for a specific
and we do too. Few practices hurt and film. The first event, held in subset of fans, but for all LGBTQ
LGBTQ youth more than attempts March 2017, attracted over 2,200 women and allies interested
to change their sexual orientation attendees from 43 countries and in improving representation
or gender identity through so- 40 U.S. states. The event brings for the community. Danielle is

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