Mission Statement
Black Tie Dinner raises funds and provides resources for LGBTQ+ supportive organizations through premier events in partnership with the community.
Vision Statement
We envision a community where the lives of all LGBTQ+ individuals are improved, accepted, and recognized.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement
A Ballroom for Everyone: At Black Tie Dinner, we envision 'A Ballroom for Everyone.' Our mission, from raising funds to improving LGBTQ+ lives, is not just an event—it's a movement for acceptance, recognition, and education. We recognize our influence and strive to make an equitable impact. We succeed when our audience, beneficiaries, and board of directors reflect the diversity of our entire LGBTQ+ community and we embrace what makes each of us unique. We welcome everyone who comes to celebrate and uplift the LGBTQ+ community.
What is Black Tie Dinner?
From its origins as a small fundraising dinner among friends in 1982, Black Tie Dinner has grown into the largest fundraising dinner in the nation for the LGBTQ community. Each year, Black Tie Dinner selects up to 20 non-profit organizations from North Texas as local beneficiaries of its fundraising, as well as the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as its national beneficiary. To date, Black Tie Dinner has distributed over $30 million dollars to a wide variety of organizations serving the needs of the LGBTQ community. Black Tie Dinner is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Our History
The first Black Tie Dinner in 1982 produced a $6,000 donation to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Since then, the Dallas-based dinner has grown and prospered thanks to the support of the LGBTQ community and our allies. Because of the tireless effort and support of our many volunteers and sponsors, Black Tie Dinner has become one of the most successful fundraising dinners in the country and one of the biggest sources of funding for many North Texas LGBTQ organizations. For 40 years, Black Tie Dinner has set the bar for LGBTQ fundraising in North Texas and plans to do the same for the next 40 to come.
2021 Annual Report
Thanks to the tireless efforts of our sponsors, Beneficiaries,
volunteers, and supporters, and despite unprecedented global
health, social, and economic crises, Black Tie Dinner was able to
distribute $1,450,000 to our 2021 Beneficiaries.
Take a look at Black
Tie Dinner's 2021 Annual Report for an overview of how our organization
implemented many new creative concepts that kept us agile, aware,
and responsive to the needs of our Beneficiaries.
Our Awards
Each year, Black Tie Dinner presents multiple awards that recognize individuals, organizations, or corporations that have made a significant contribution to the continued fight for LGBTQ equality.
The Black Tie Dinner Equality Award
The Black Tie Dinner Equality Award is awarded to a recipient who has shown a dedication to advancing and improving the rights of the LGBTQ community on a national level. Past recipients include Billy Porter, Edith Windsor, Greg Louganis, The Trevor Project, David Boies and Ted Olson, Zach Wahls, Chaz Bono, Eric Alva, American Airlines, Judy Shepard, Bishop V. Gene Robinson, Alan Cumming, Sharon Stone, Robert Greenblatt, Niecy Nash, Showtime Networks, and Elizabeth Birch.
Kuchling Humanitarian Award
Named in honor of the late Raymond Kuchling, a leading activist in the Dallas LGBTQ community in the 1980s, this award honors individuals who have made extraordinary gifts of their time and talents on behalf of the LGBTQ community. Recent past recipients include Don Maison, Kay Wilkinson, Rev. Eric Folkerth, Dr. Steven Pounders, Chris Luna, Veletta Lill, and Melissa Grove.
Media Award
Established in 2008, the Black Tie Dinner Media Award is given to a recipient who has increased the awareness of LGBTQ issues in the media in a positive way. Past winners include Erich Bergen, Debra Messing, E! Entertainment, Dale Hansen, Fran Drescher and Peter Marc Jacobson, JCPenney, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Chely Wright, Cyndi Lauper, and Logo Network.
Dale Hansen Ally for Equality Award
Established in 2016, this award recognizes a distinguished ally of the LGBTQ community who, through personal and professional activities, has made a significant, positive impact on the LGBTQ community. Past recipients include Jessi Cruikshank, Terrence McNally, and Michelle Visage.
Richard Weaver Volunteer Award
Established in 2017, this award recognizes hard working volunteers in the Dallas LGBTQ community, whose time and talents make Black Tie Dinner possible each year. Chosen by the Black Tie Dinner Board of Directors, the recipient of this award is a person who has dedicated significant time and effort to support both Black Tie Dinner and the LGBTQ community in a volunteer capacity.
VISIBILITY AWARD
Established in 2017, the Black Tie Dinner Visibility Award is given to a recipient who has increased the awareness of LGBTQ issues in a positive, impactful way. Past winners include Connie Britton, Josie Totah, and DJ Shangela Pierce.
VANGUARD AWARD
The Vanguard Award is given to an individual who has led a movement related to LGBTQ progression and used their platform to instrumentally transform people for good. This inaugural recipient was DJ "Shangela" Pierce in 2022.
2024 Board of Directors
The Black Tie Dinner board is composed of multiple committees, each playing a vital role in the success of the Dinner. The entire Board of Directors is volunteer and is proud to serve the North Texas community.
Dustin Vyers
Board Co-Chair
Liliana Villarreal
Board Co-Chair