Hundreds of celebrities, advocates, and movement partners attended Family Equality’s Night at the Pier in New York City to create brighter futures for LGBTQ+ families
New York, NY — 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.
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PHOTOS
GETTY IMAGES COURTESY OF FAMILY EQUALITY: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBqeGo
Additional, embeddable content is available from @FamilyEquality on Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #NightAtThePier.
ABOUT THE EVENT
The 2024 Night at the Pier Honorary Chairs are Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka, and Sarah Paulson. The honorary committee includes Nick Scandalios, Daryl Roth, Kristin Caskey, John Gore, Hal Goldberg, Margo & James L. Nederlander, Lauren Reid, and Robert E. Wankel. This year’s event chairs are Merritt Johnson, Jeannie Uyanik, Samantha Lippitt, Andrew & Xavier Van Degna, and Jason Weinberg.
Family Equality gratefully acknowledges the support of the following sponsors: (Platinum) The Nederlander Organization; (Gold) Kenvue’s Care with Pride ®, the John Gore Organization, the Shubert Organization, Nick Scandalios, and the Ohashi Freed Family; (Silver) ATG Entertainment, Kaplan, Hecker, and Fink LLP, Koolaburra by UGG®, Organon, Warner Brothers Discovery, the Hostetter-Habib Family, the Kaplan-Green Family, Roberta Kaplan, and the Van Degna Family ; (Bronze) Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Back to the Future the Musical, Rodgin, Barbara, and Jonathan Cohen, Genesis Fertility, Grindr, Sam Green and Chris Lacovara, Kramer Levin, Playbill, Water for Elephants, Hogan Lovells, Macquarie, No Guarantees, Daryl and Steven Roth, Sam Rosenblatt and Mario D’Andrea with Olmstead Properties, Inc., TodayTix, Weeks Learman; (Advocate) Growing Generations, Kirrin Finch, Nicholson Events, Nuage Designs, Related Companies, CCRM Fertility, Weill Cornell Medicine – Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine; (Friend) BindleBox, Bright Lights NYC, Gay Water, Park Slope Copy Center, Insperity, Tradewind, RMA; (Event Sponsors) RMA of New York, Today Tix, Teddy Bear Party, CCS Fundraising, and LALO Tequila; (National Corporate Sponsors) Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Kenvue’s Care with Pride®, Clockwork, Equality Vines, Gerber, Fidelity, Ferring, Nederlander, Playbill, Target, and Warner Brothers Discovery.
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.
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Press Contact
Tonya Agnew, Vice President, Communications & Marketing
tagnew@familyequality.org / (765) 490-4709