Believe in the Art of Equality

Dallas’ proudest LGBT fundraiser attracts all the celebrities for 35th year

How does one of the biggest LGBT fundraisers in the country celebrate a major birthday? With impeccable style and celebrity appearances, of course.

Black Tie Dinner turned 35 with a blowout bash themed "Believe in the Art of Equality." An energetic crowd sporting their best threads arrived at the downtown Sheraton hotel ready to toast the achievements of this mainstay Dallas gala: Not only does Black Tie Dinner continue to be the most successful dinner in the country supporting the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, but it also has the distinction of being the only to benefit local organizations.

Guests were greeted with champagne at check-in, while VIP receptions allowed invited sponsors to rub elbows with the night’s celebrity honorees and performers (more on those later). Then it was into the ballroom, where silent auction tableaux displayed everything from artwork to jewelry to gift baskets promising once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Looking out over a sea of tables, co-chairs Mitzi Lemons and Nathan Robbins welcomed guests to dinner before introducing the first award recipient: Dr. Steven M. Pounders, who famously treated Ron Woodruff of the Dallas Buyers Club.

Other honorees included actress Connie Britton (Ally for Equality Award), Olympic diver Greg Louganis (Elizabeth Birch Equality Award), and actress Debra Messing (Media Award). Chad Griffin and Sarah McBride spoke passionately about their work with the Human Rights Campaign, drawing a standing ovation from the emotional audience.

Comedienne Dana Goldberg returned as the celebrity auctioneer, helping the live auction to well surpass its original goal. Performances from North Texas native Todrick Hall and singer Deborah Cox — who will be returning to DFW next summer in the national tour of The Bodyguard — closed out the program.

But the night wasn’t over yet. The After Black After Party gave guests a chance to shake and shimmy into the wee hours, celebrating yet another successful year of fundraising for GLBT causes.

Spotted mingling around the room were Mimi and Rich Sterling, Jonathon Geter, Rick Wilson, Taylor Catalano, Ben McLauchin, Steve Turman, Maggie McQuown, Steven Rayl, Arthur Reyes, Clint Thomson, David Putnam, Tommy Stockton, Matt Davies, Jef Tingley, and Jerrett Morris.

Since its inception in 1982, Black Tie Dinner has been the largest fundraising dinner in the nation for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community in the nation. Each year, the nonprofit selects up to 20 North Texas beneficiaries to receive dinner proceeds, as well as the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. To date, Black Tie Dinner has distributed nearly $21 million.

Justin Leach, Derrik Brown

Photo by WJNPHOTO

Justin Leach, Derrik Brown

galas celebrities fundraisers

Fundraising fun

Dallas’ Night at the Museum gala brings in $2M for Perot programs

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez

On Saturday, November 8, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science opened its doors, after hours, for one of Dallas’ most anticipated galas of fall: Night at the Museum.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez

Led by co-chairs Shelly and Michael Dee in honor of Sally and Forrest Hoglund, the 2025 Night at the Museum immersed guests in a science-y wonderland of interactive exhibits, fun cocktails, unique cuisine, and more.

Guests agreed: The couldn't-miss highlight of the evening was the 10-Minute Restaurant, which transformed the museum gift shop into a five-star culinary adventure by Wolfgang Puck Catering, reminiscent of how they serve celebrities at the Oscars. Amid all the night's action, it was a great way to sneak in a quick bite and some one-on-one time with a date in a VIP-like setting.

Attendees also noshed from a Living Crudité Bar, an Off the Bone beef station, a paella station, enjoyed "roaming tiramisu," and stopped servers in their tracks for the famous Night at the Museum pot pies. No one went thirsty, either, as guests sipped creative cocktails like Sorbete de Sangria de Cava and the sparkling “Aqua Pearl,” enjoyed a 196 Vodka Seltzer Bar, and a refueled at a coffee cart that opened at the after-party.

Guests got to dig like paleontologists at the Paleo Lab, ooh and ahh at the sparking Aquamarine on the display in the Lyda Hill Gems and Minerals Hall, and learn all about little creepy-crawlies in the Bug Lab Exhibit. Another favorite activity was the Iris Photography, which turned photos of the human eye into works of art.

In total, the crowd of "after-hours scientists" raised $2 million to help fund field trips, outreach, discounted admission and memberships to the Perot, and more.

Among the notable attendees were Margot Perot, Dr. Linda Silver, Marilynn Thoma, Carl Thoma, Santiago Jorba, Catalina Gonzalez, David and Mary Henderson, Katie and Jerome Rose, Lyda Hill, Cade McCarter, DeWitt McCarter, Kelly Compton, Kenna McCarter, John Sughrue, Marlene Sughrue, Kate and Steve Sigfusson, Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart, Grace Cook, Laura Compton, Angus Mitchell, Rachel Mitchell, Martine and Michael Philippe, and many more patrons and supporters.

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