Angela Hale, Equality Texas, 512.289.2995 angela.hale@equalitytexas.org

EQUALITY TEXAS CELEBRATES ALL EYES ON TEXAS: Equality Texas’ 2nd Annual Gala 

AUSTIN, Texas – October 14, 2020 – Equality Texas, the largest statewide organization solely dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ Texans will spend the night of October 17, 2020 honoring LGBTQ trailblazers across Texas at the ALL EYES ON TEXAS: Equality Texas’ 2nd Annual Gala. It will be an evening of celebration, inspiration, and generosity in a year of great uncertainty and stress for our community.

“We’ve come a long way and we’re proud to celebrate those who have fought against discrimination, but given the state of our country today, we are more committed than ever before to fight for our community until every LGBTQ Texan is treated equally under the law,” said Steve Atkinson, Chair of the Equality Texas Foundation Board. “We have always envisioned a Texas where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texans and their families have full equality in the hearts and minds of our fellow Texans and in all areas of the law.”

Equality Texas will honor inspiring LGBTQ trailblazers during our awards presentation ceremony including: Wimberley ISD  Board of Trustee Member Lori Olson who stood up for her LGBTQ students; the leader of Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) Emmett Schelling, who fights on the frontlines for transgender rights every day, and Dell Technologies, a Texas company that has fought side-by-side with Equality Texas for years at the Texas Capitol.

The event will feature special appearances by Judy Shepard, Board Chair and President of the Matthew Shepard Foundation; Rocky Lane, Board Chair of TENT; author Jo Ivester; Jeremy Ivester; and transgender professional athlete Chris Mosier. In addition, the Exhibition Hall will showcase entertainment by Alyson Alonzo, Bettie Pvnk, Bidi Bidi Banda, Boyfriend ATX, Cody Sparks Band, DJ Ella Ella, Early Era Collective, Emily Wolfe, Gina Chavez, Jacki Venson, Kady Rain, Lady Dan, Magna Carda, Shiela, The Bishops, and The Lewd Dudes.

“Our event is an opportunity to gather and celebrate what we have been able to accomplish but will also include more about what is to come — our plans to pass a comprehensive non-discrimination bill through the Texas House for the first time in Texas history. The work of Equality Texas has never been easy — and we don’t expect it to be in 2021 — but our supporters and coalition partners have never been deterred,” said Ricardo Martinez, CEO of Equality Texas.

“In an often-hostile political climate, we’ve been able to defeat hundreds of pieces of destructive legislation. But there is so much more that we want to do besides hold the line. Currently, Texas is one of 27 states where there are no protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Many Texans are not aware that LGBTQ people can legally be fired, refused housing, or denied services simply because of who we are. This is unkind, unfair, unequitable, and unacceptable.”

The fully virtual gala, organized for the first time by Director of Development Lisa Chang and the team at Equality Texas, presented a new and exciting challenge, but the support has been extraordinary. With a combination of new sponsors and many renewing sponsors increasing their support this year, plus more than 600 registered attendees, it is clear that an event where LGBTQ supporters could gather safely was much needed. We learned in the last year that during an unprecedented pandemic, a historic presidential election and great uncertainty on the U.S. Supreme Court with the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we must double down with an urgent need to protect LGBTQ Texans in employment, housing, health care, and other areas of law, and the urgency is greater than ever before.  

We are looking forward to this FULLY VIRTUAL fun and interactive event, where you can mix and mingle in the Social Lounge at virtual tables, explore the Exhibition Hall to enjoy entertainment, or learn about our sponsors and their contribution to the LGBTQ community.  But most importantly, help us raise money for our fight to protect LGBTQ Texans at the Texas Legislature.

 Join us and help us fight for LGBTQ Equality in Texas. Purchase your tickets today!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

Visionary Sponsors

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Equality Texas is the largest statewide organization working to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration. The Equality Texas Foundation works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Texans through education, community organizing, and collaboration. www.EqualityTexas.org / Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: @EqualityTexas