THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

"Betty has been a tireless, fearless advocate for the LGBTQ community, and we have been proud to call her not only a member of the HRC family for more than two decades, but a true friend," said Vincent Pompei, Director of HRC's Youth Well-Being Project and Time to THRIVE conference chair. "Betty is the kind of mother all children deserve, and I am so excited to have our conference attendees hear her inspiring message about being a true supporter and ally of LGBTQ youth and the broader LGBTQ community."

Here are five times Betty DeGeneres has set the standard for #MomGoals during her years as an LGBTQ advocate and ally:

When Ellen, who was 20 at the time, came out to her in 1978, Betty "just gave her a big hug!"

She was the first non-LGBTQ ally to join HRC's National Coming Out Project. "As long as our gay sons and daughters face discrimination and are excluded from the basic protections of our laws, I will urge all American families to come out for fairness," Betty told HRC's Equality Magazine in 1997.

Betty has published not one, not two — but THREE books on being an incredible parent to LGBTQ children.

She unwaveringly supports her daughter, appearing on The Ellen Show countless times to spread love, positivity, acceptance —and more than a few laughs!

Betty spoke at the first-ever Time to THRIVE conference in 2014, telling audiences, "Everybody deserves to feel safe and included and have well-being!"

HRC previously announced that it will also honor transgender advocate Gavin Grimm with an Upstander Award during the Time to THRIVE conference. Grimm made history after suing his school district over its discriminatory policy that barred him from using the boy's restroom, alleging that the district violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. DeGeneres will also join fellow parent-advocates Judy and Dennis Shepard of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. HRC National Press Secretary Sarah McBride, along with HRC's Parents for Transgender Equality Council, Youth Ambassadors and Welcoming Schools Program will also be featured at the conference.

The event brings together a wide range of youth-serving professionals to discuss best practices for working with and caring for LGBTQ youth and their families in schools, community centers, health care settings and beyond. It is co-presented by the National Education Association and the American Counseling Association. Toyota, BBVA Compass and AT&T are presenting sponsors of the event.

To register, visit www.TimeToThrive.org .

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is education arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.