Night at the Pier Gala raises close to $1 million for Family Equality Council’s work towards lived and legal equality for LGBTQ families.
NEW YORK — Over 800 guests gathered on May 6, 20189 at Pier Sixty in New York to celebrate Family Equality Council’s 10th Annual Night at the Pier Gala. Attendees enjoyed a night of entertainment and moving stories, and raised close to $1 million for Family Equality Council’s critical work on behalf of LGBTQ families.
Family Equality Council honored Scott Ellis and Sergio Trujillo, two leading professionals on Broadway who are gay parents and have raised the visibility of LGBTQ families and explored gay parenthood through their work on stage. Ellis and Trujillo were joined by their husbands on stage to accept the award, presented by Kelli O’Hara & Chita Rivera.
“I’m incredibly honored to receive this award from an organization that has been fighting for LGBTQ families for 40 years,” said Scott Ellis. “Family Equality Council’s work is critically important in helping ensure all LGBTQ people are able to realize the dream of becoming parents.”
“Receiving this award from Family Equality Council is deeply meaningful to me,” said Sergio Trujillo. “As a gay parent living in a wonderfully-affirming community here in New York City, I applaud Family Equality Council’s work to support LGBTQ families in communities across the country.”
Psychologist and author Dr. Kim Bergman received the 2019 Hostetter-Habib Family Award in recognition of her decades of work to make family formation a reality for thousands of LGBTQ people. Bergman was introduced by Andy Cohen, and the award was presented by her wife Natalie Bergman and daughters Abby and Jenna.
“I’m truly honored to receive the Hostetter-Habib Family Award,” said Kim Bergman. “My life’s work to help LGBTQ people realize the dream of parenthood is one shared by Family Equality Council, and look forward to many more years working together to help LGBTQ families across the country grow and thrive.”
At Night at the Pier 2019, Family Equality Council also honored the memory of one of our dearest friends, unveiling a new film produced with the support of the Ric Swezey Memorial Fund. Created in 2017, the Ric Swezey Memorial Fund is dedicated to telling the stories of everyday LGBTQ families in their struggle for lived and legal equality.
“We are delighted to have honored Scott Ellis and Sergio Trujillo for their visibility on Broadway and for leading the way as gay parents during this time of growth in LGBTQ parenting. We are also proud to have honored Kim Bergman, for her decades-long track record supporting prospective LGBTQ parents,” said The Rev. Stan J. Sloan, CEO of Family Equality Council. “Once again, our New York community came out and joined those who traveled to attend, showing their generous support of Family Equality Council’s work on behalf of LGBTQ families nationwide. Today we get back to work in the fight for lived and legal equality.”
Guests at Night at the Pier were also treated to performances from cast members from the Broadway musicals Tootsie, PROM, Cher, and Ain’t Too Proud.
View photos from the event here:
If you couldn’t attend but would like to celebrate the honorees and support Family Equality Council’s work, make a donation here: www.nightatthepier.com/donate
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Family Equality Council thanks our sponsors for their generous support:
(Platinum Level) Caiola Productions, McGill Caiola Family, Nederlander Organization; (Gold Level) John Gore Organization, Nick Scandalios; (Bronze Level) Broadway Cares, Katia Bouazza & Primavera Salvá, Valerie & Jay Brown, Hiro, Jerry Mitchell & David Rockwell, PROM, Sam Rosenblatt & Mario D’Andrea, Daryl & Steven Roth, Jordan Roth & Richie Jackson, San Diego Fertility Center, The Shubert Organization; (Event Parnters) Bardin Palomo, Nicholson Events, The Refinery; (Media Partner) LGBTQ Nation; (DJ Sponsor) The Surrogacy Law Center; (National Corporate Sponsors) Barry’s Bootcamp, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, California Cryobank, Carrot, CCRM Fertility, Christopher Street Financial, Clockwork, EMD Serono, Growing Generations, HBO, International Fertility Law Group, International Reproductive Law Group, Johnson & Johnson Care With Pride, Johnson’s Baby, Nature’s Bounty, Nederlander, Playbill, Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA-IVI), Target.
About Family Equality Council
Family Equality Council advances legal and lived equality for LGBTQ families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change. Family Equality Council believes every LGBTQ person should have the right and opportunity to form and sustain a loving family, regardless of who they are or where they live. Learn more at familyequality.org.
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Media Contact:
Ed Harris, Chief Communications Officer, Family Equality Council
646-880-3005 x117 / eharris@familyequality.org