{"id":377032,"date":"2025-11-13T23:44:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T23:44:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/377032\/"},"modified":"2025-11-13T23:44:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T23:44:19","slug":"dallas-night-at-the-museum-gala-brings-in-2m-for-perot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/377032\/","title":{"rendered":"Dallas\u2019 Night at the Museum gala brings in $2M for Perot"},"content":{"rendered":"

On the same weekend the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed marriage equality by refusing to revisit the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges case, more than 2,000 guests filled the Sheraton Dallas for a night that celebrated resilience, love, and progress at the 44th annual Black Tie Dinner<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The timing of the November 8 gala, America\u2019s largest LGBTQ+ fundraiser and one of Dallas’ most anticipated<\/a> of the season, couldn\u2019t have been more poignant. The evening\u2019s keynote speaker, Jim Obergefell<\/strong>, whose name became synonymous with marriage equality, received Black Tie Dinner’s Equality Award and urged attendees to remember both the progress made and the challenges still ahead.<\/p>\n

Marking a milestone in representation, this year\u2019s event was co-chaired by Liliana Villarreal<\/strong> and Deirdre Coleman<\/strong>, the first time in the organization\u2019s history that two women \u2014 not to mention two women of color \u2014 have steered the evening.<\/p>\n

\"Black There was no shortage of photo ops.Photo by Jonathan Zizzo Photography<\/p>\n

But first the event, with the theme this year of “Still We Rise,” welcomed glamorously attired guests down the gold carpet (a nod to Wicked, perhaps?) for a lively cocktail hour spent browsing the extensive silent auction and capturing their striking ensembles at the many photo ops. Guests also vied for a $50,000 luxury car credit courtesy of Park Place Motorcars Dallas, marking the 17th year of partnership with the long-standing supporter.<\/p>\n

Inside the ballroom, DFW’s own Denise Lee<\/strong> began the program with a powerful performance of Andra Day’s “Rise Up” before the BTD board of directors was introduced by U.S. Representative Julie Johnson<\/strong>, the first openly gay member of Congress from the South and the first woman to ever represent Texas’ District 32.<\/p>\n

Carl Nassib<\/strong>, the NFL’s first openly gay active player, then introduced Jaymes Black<\/strong>, CEO of The Trevor Project, who was honored with the Kuchling Humanitarian Award for their life-saving work supporting LGBTQ+ youth. <\/p>\n

A fast-paced live auction was followed by representatives of the BTD 2025 beneficiaries:<\/p>\n