Family Equality presents glittering, impactful fundraising Night At the Pier
Civil litigator Roberta Kaplan and Brooks Brothers CEO Ken Ohashi joined Family Equality President & CEO Jaymes Black and Broadway performers from The Outsiders, Hell’s Kitchen, and The Wiz to raise nearly $1 million for LGBTQ+ families.
More than 700 guests gathered on May 13, 2024 at Pier Sixty in New York City to protect and support LGBTQ+ families at Family Equality’s annual spring fundraising gala, produced by Academy Award winner, Bruce Cohen and Family Equality’s Zac Walker. The inspiring program featured show-stopping Broadway performances from Shoshana Bean (Hell’s Kitchen), Sky Lakota Lynch and Josh Strobl (The Outsiders), and Deborah Cox (The Wiz); powerful storytelling; and inspiring remarks from President & CEO, Jaymes Black, reminding guests of the progress we can make when we all work together.
“Those who oppose us are organized, relentless, and actively crafting…an America without justice or liberty for all,” said Black in their on-stage remarks. “This is why the work of Family Equality is critical to our community and country. Family Equality is wrapping its arms around more families than ever before, providing them with a loving community, resources, and tools.
“By telling our stories, mobilizing our communities, and sharing our experiences, we will build a resilient, unstoppable movement. Together, we will show the world what it means to be a family, what it means to stand together, and what it means to love without limits or fear. Family, this is our time. This is our calling. This is our destiny. Welcome to the rebirth of hope!”
The evening also included:
- The presentation of our Visibility Award to game-changing corporate pioneer and openly gay CEO, Ken Ohashi, who puts a national spotlight on current and future families through his visionary leadership at Brooks Brothers. The award was presented by his husband, Adam Freed.
- The presentation of our 2024 Hostetter-Habib Family Award to Roberta Kaplan — pivotal civil rights litigator and founding partner of Silver sponsor, Kaplan, Hecker, and Fink, LLP — in recognition of her fearless pursuit of justice and equal rights and its impact on the lives and futures of LGBTQ+ families. The award was presented by E. Jean Carroll and Zander Moricz.
- A moving tribute to long-time supporter of Family Equality and Night at the Pier, Luigi Caiola.
Attendees included Dan Bucatinksy, José Rolón, Jonathan Cohen, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, Chasten Buttigieg, Eliecer Marte, Amber Iman, Corey Stoll, Bee Carrozzini, Benj Pasek, Lila Neugebauer, Orfeh, Rebecca Frecknall, Steven Warren and Johnnie Ingram, and more.
About Family Equality
Family Equality is creating a world where everyone can experience the love, safety, and belonging of family. As the leading national organization for current and future LGBTQ+ families, we work to ensure that everyone has the freedom to find, form, and sustain their families by advancing LGBTQ+ equality through advocacy, support, storytelling, and education.
There’s still time to donate here to Family Equality!
