Washington, DC – Tonight, Equality PAC will host its fifth annual National Pride Gala during World Pride in Washington D.C. at the historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, the organization’s largest event of the year. During the event, Equality PAC will honor LGBTQ ally and Emmy Award winning actor Eugene Levy with the Nancy Pelosi Equality Ally Award. Through this gathering, Equality PAC has raised more than $650,000.
Special guests include Bianca del Rio, famed comedian and RuPaul Drag Race Winner who will emcee the event; Emily Shilling, a US Navy Commander who will be a guest speaker; and Six-Time Grammy Award-Winning Artist Dionne Warwick, who will perform her iconic hit “That’s what friends are for.”
“Tonight, Equality PAC proudly welcomes supporters from across the country to Washington D.C. for our fifth annual National Pride Gala—held during World Pride and marking our most successful event to date,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY). “This evening is more than a celebration—it’s a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we come together to support LGBTQ representation and pro-equality leadership. We are especially honored to present the Nancy Pelosi Equality Ally Award to Emmy Award–winning actor Eugene Levy, whose decades-long dedication to inclusion and allyship has made an indelible mark on culture and opened hearts through storytelling. His unwavering support for the LGBTQ community embodies the spirit of this award. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, this year’s Gala has raised more than $650,000—a record-breaking milestone that will fuel Equality PAC’s mission to elect candidates who will fight for equality, freedom, and justice for all. Together, we are building a Congress—and a country—that truly represents us.”
Additional speakers include Equality PAC Co-Chair Congressman Ritchie Torres, Equality PAC Co-Chair Ranking Member Mark Takano, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, House Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Ranking Member Angie Craig, Congressman Chris Pappas, and Congresswoman Sarah McBride.
Equality PAC expects more than 625 guests to attend – including more than 80 Members of Congress and congressional candidates. The National Pride Gala was Co-Chaired by Equality PAC Vice Chair Congresswoman Becca Balint, Equality PAC Vice Chair Congresswoman Julie Johnson, and Congresswoman Emily Randall.
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.
