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Black Tie Dinner Reveals 2016 Beneficiaries at Annual Announcement Party The Fundraising Dinner’s 35th Annual Dinner Celebrates the Power to “Believe”

April 8, 2016 () – On Thursday evening, Black Tie Dinner – the nation’s largest LGBT fundraising dinner – revealed this year’s 16 local beneficiaries at its 2016 Beneficiary Announcement Party, which was held at The Marquis On Magnolia in Fort Worth.

“Year after year, the Black Tie Dinner beneficiary announcement shines a light on incredible organizations that are crucial to the health and strength of our local community,” said Nathan Robbins, 2016 Black Tie Dinner Co-Chair. “After our impressive fundraising effort on behalf of last year’s beneficiaries, I truly believe that the positive impact of our 35th Annual Dinner will enable this year’s beneficiaries to make significant progress toward fulfilling their respective missions.”

The 2016 Black Tie Dinner local beneficiaries include: AIDS Interfaith Network, AIDS Outreach Center, AIDS Services of Dallas, Cathedral of Hope, Celebration Community Church, Congregation Beth El Binah, Foundation, Lambda Legal, Legacy Counseling Center, Legal Hospice of Texas, Northaven United Methodist Church, Resource Center, , Uptown Players, The Women’s Chorus of Dallas, and first time beneficiary, Promise House. The Foundation is the Dinner’s national beneficiary.

The beneficiary announcement comes just days after the organization officially unveiled the theme of its 35th annual dinner – “Believe.” A full video announcement of this year’s theme, which emphasizes how progress and equality are fueled by believing in hope, optimism, courage and much more, can be found here.

“The LGBT community has made some incredible strides in recent years, and we still have many more ahead,” said Mitzi Lemons, 2016 Black Tie Dinner Co-Chair. “This year’s theme is meant to inspire us to Believe in both the progress we’ve made thus far and the great milestones still to come as we continue our journey.”

Black Tie Dinner will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016. For additional information about the Dinner, visit blacktie.org. Raffle tickets and sponsorship tables are currently being sold at blacktie.org, with general table sales slated for June.

BLACK TIE DINNER, INC.

3824 CEDAR SPRINGS, #335 DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 972 -865-2239 EXT. 29 WWW.BLACKTIE.ORG

About Black Tie Dinner Black Tie Dinner is a non-profit organization that raises funds for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) supportive organizations serving North Texas through a premier event of empowerment, education and entertainment that has grown into the nation's largest LGBT fundraising dinner since its inception in 1982. The first dinner produced a $6,000 donation to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and has since raised over $20 million for national and local beneficiaries. Black Tie Dinner continues to be the most successful dinner in the country supporting the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and has the distinction of being the only dinner also benefiting local beneficiaries.

The event has headlined local and national celebrities and leaders such as Marlee Matlin, Maya Angelou, Geena Davis, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, Gavin Newsom, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black. In addition to live entertainment and a keynote address, Black Tie Dinner honors outstanding service to the LGBT community with the Elizabeth Birch Equality Award, the Black Tie Dinner Media Award and the Kuchling Humanitarian Award. Recipients have included Elizabeth Birch, Sharon Stone, , , Showtime Networks/Robert Greenblatt, Bishop V. Gene Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Logo Network/Brian Graden, Chely Wright, American Airlines, Chaz Bono, JCPenney and Scouting For All founder Zach Wahl.

For more information about Black Tie Dinner or this year’s event, visit blacktie.org.

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BLACK TIE DINNER, INC.

3824 CEDAR SPRINGS, #335 DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 972 -865-2239 EXT. 29 WWW.BLACKTIE.ORG