Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC announced that singer, actress and philanthropist Lynda Carter, the original Wonder Woman, will appear as a special guest at Equality PAC’s annual National Pride Gala on Tuesday, June, 2026. Carter will join Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi as the event celebrates the 39th anniversary of Pelosi’s swearing-in to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Lynda Carter as a special guest at Equality PAC’s National Pride Gala. For generations, Lynda has been a symbol of strength, courage, and compassion, inspiring people of all ages around the world through her iconic portrayal of Wonder Woman and her personal unwavering commitment to justice and equality,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY). “Beyond her extraordinary career, Lynda has been a steadfast ally and advocate whose voice has helped uplift LGBTQ people and communities across our country. Her leadership reminds us that progress is driven not only by those who hold public office, but also by those who use their platforms to champion dignity, inclusion, and opportunity for all. We are honored to celebrate alongside a trailblazer whose legacy continues to inspire new generations to lead with empathy, stand up for what is right, and believe in the power of collective action.”
“Nancy Pelosi has spent nearly four decades in Congress fighting for the people others turned their backs on,” said Lynda Carter. “From the earliest days of the AIDS crisis, she showed up and never stopped. That is the kind of courage and compassion that deserves to be celebrated, and I am so proud to stand with her, this community and Equality PAC.”
Equality PAC’s annual National Pride Gala will be on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Washington, DC’s historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. This is Equality PAC’s largest event in terms of attendees and fundraising each year.
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.