AT&T Live Proud Winner Taryn Hagerty Shares Her Out100 Story
AT&T Live Proud celebrates LGBT community awareness, empowerment, and pride at this year’s Out100 Gala.
Over the summer, AT&T relaunched their annual Live Proud campaign, a program that celebrates awareness, empowerment and pride for the LGBT community. AT&T asked people to enter the AT&T "This Is Me" sweepstakes by creating a 15-second-or-less video that tells the world how they live proud every day. Four winners were selected and won two tickets each to the Out100 Gala in New York City. These are their stories.
Meet Taryn Hagerty:
What was the inspiration behind your video?
My inspiration behind my video was something my mother always told me growing up. She would always tell me to live my life to the fullest and to make sure to never apologize for being me.
How did you find out about the contest?
I found out about the contest while attending the NYC Pride Parade.
Where do you live and study?
I am originally from Brooklyn, NY, but I attend college in Connecticut at the University of New Haven as a criminal justice major.
What were your first reactions when you learned you won the contest?
I have never won anything so I was a little shocked!
What did you wear to the Out100? Describe your feelings the night of the party.
I wore a high wasted long black skirt with a slit down the side and a red sleeveless crop top. I was so excited the night of the party and I felt like I was living the life of a celebrity.
Did you chat with anyone particularly interesting that night?
For a brief moment I spoke to J. Alexander from America's Next Top Model and it was an incredible experience.
Do you think this year was especially important for the LGBT community? Why?
I do! This year was especially important for the LGBT community because they made history. Same-sex marriage is now legal and it is such an incredible experience to be a part of a movement like this.
Who did you bring with you?
I brought my boyfriend's sister with me to the event.
If you could choose three words to describe the night, what would they be?
An incredible experience!