Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC announced the entertainment line-up for their annual National Pride Gala on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Washington, D.C.’s historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. This year’s National Pride Gala coincides with World Pride in Washington, DC. The line-up includes:
- RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6 winner Bianca Del Rio, who will emcee the full Gala gathering.
- Grammy Award Winner Dionne Warwick, who will be performing her iconic ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ during the program break. In 1985, Dionne invited Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder to join her in a collaboration of this song to raise funds for HIV/AIDS research. All four artists, as well as the songwriters and the record label, generously donated every cent generated by the recording.
- RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12 contestant Brita Filter, who will perform and emcee the National Pride Gala After Party.
- D.C.’s all 90’s band White Ford Bronco, who will perform at the National Pride Gala After Party.
“Equality PAC is thrilled to announce the entertainment line-up for our 2025 National Pride Gala during World Pride in Washington D.C.,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY). “This unforgettable evening – which will be the premier event kicking off the major weekend of World Pride in DC – will be hosted by none other than comedy legend and RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6 winner Bianca Del Rio, who will emcee the entire Gala gathering with her signature wit and unapologetic charm. The evening will also feature a very special performance by Grammy Award winner Dionne Warwick, who will sing her iconic anthem ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ during the program break. Originally released to raise awareness and support during the height of the AIDS crisis, the song remains a powerful symbol of love, friendship, and allyship in the face of adversity—values that continue to guide our movement today. Following the program, we’ll keep the celebration going with our National Pride Gala After Party, headlined by RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12 star Brita Filter, who will bring her trademarked energy as both emcee and performer. And to top it all off, D.C.’s beloved all-’90s band White Ford Bronco will keep the dance floor packed all night long. This year’s Gala is not only a celebration of progress—it’s a call to action. And we can’t wait to honor the leaders who are making a difference while celebrating with a night of music, pride, and community like no other.”
As previously announced, these additions to the entertainment line-up include Emmy Award winning actor Eugene Levy, who will be a 2025 recipient of the Nancy Pelosi Equality Ally Award. Equality PAC’s annual National Pride Gala is Equality PAC’s largest event in terms of attendees and fundraising each year and will be held during World Pride in the nation’s capital.
Equality PAC’s primary mission is simple: to elect more LGBTQ+ persons to Congress — individuals who will have a seat at the table, impact the debate, and humanize the LGBTQ community’s concerns. Beyond this goal, Equality PAC also supports strong LGBTQ community allies who will proudly and unapologetically stand with us in the fight to pass the Equality Act and equal protection under our nation’s laws. All funds that Equality PAC raises are directed to re-elect and expand our small – but mighty – LGBTQ caucus and to elect a pro-Equality Majority in the House of Representatives.
Today, Equality PAC remains the only identity PAC that financially supports every Frontline Member and Red2Blue candidate because we know that without pro-Equality majorities, the progress our community has made and the civil rights and equal protections we have fought so hard for – and are still fighting for every day – remain in jeopardy.
In the short time that Equality PAC has existed, it has played an unmatched role in making history for the LGBTQ community, electing LGBTQ leaders at the federal level such as current House Members Sharice Davis (Kansas); Ritchie Torres (New York); Becca Balint (Vermont); Robert Garcia (California); Eric Sorensen (Illinois); Angie Craig (Minnesota); and Chris Pappas (New Hampshire).
And in the most recent elections, Equality PAC notched three huge historic wins: in TX-32 with Julie Johnson who made history as the first openly LGBTQ person ever elected to Congress from Texas or the South; in WA-06 with Emily Randall who made history as the first ever queer Latina elected to Congress and the first LGBTQ Member from Washington state; and with DE State Senator Sarah McBride in DE-AL as the first trans person ever elected to Congress.
With their elections, we have DOUBLED the number of LGBTQ women in the House from 3 to 6. And for the first time ever – there is parity within the LGBTQ caucus with 6 women and 6 men serving together in the House. This is an incredible accomplishment. On top of this, 5 of the 12 LGBTQ persons serving right now in the House are persons of color. These are incredible accomplishments for our community and its representation in Congress
Equality PAC has grown exponentially since its founding by Congressman Mark Takano and former Congressman (now Governor) Jared Polis in 2014 – when we raised $32,000 from some very loyal and trusting friends who took a chance on us and the experiment we were at the time. Today, we are extraordinarily grateful to have deeply committed and generous supporters in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico – and throughout the grassroots, labor, and business communities.
In total, during the 2023-24 election cycle, we raised and spent an impressive $23.4m for Equality PAC and direct contributions for our endorsed Members and candidates, state Party funds, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and independent expenditure efforts. As we look to the 2026 election and possible opportunities – particularly in potential open House and Senate seat races – we anticipate making even more history and growing the LGBTQ House Caucus deeper into double digits and electing at least two new LGBTQ Senators.
