EMBARGOED UNTIL: 12/17/20 (7:00pm) PRESS CONTACT: John McGill PR 214-207-9004 [email protected]

Black Tie Dinner Distributes $875,000 to 2020 Beneficiaries Local Funding Not Effected During Pandemic

EMBARGOED December 17, 2020 () – Black Tie Dinner - the nation’s largest LGBTQ fundraising dinner - distributed $875,000 to its 17 beneficiaries during its Digital Wrap Party, which was underwritten by BBVA & Lexus. Most of the distribution amount was generated through the Black Tie Dinner’s first-ever “Black Tie LIVE” give-a-thon television special, which reach an audience of 30,000+ on television and digital platforms in nearly 100 cities, 47 U.S. states and 8 different countries. “As we know, 2020 has proved to be a year of challenges and pivots. We were blown away by the support of our sponsors, allies and the LGBTQ+ community throughout 2020 and for Black Tie LIVE. We were able to reach nearly more than 10 times the audience than in person dinner through our very first give-a-thon television special. Due to the success of Black Tie LIVE and the dedication of our board, supporters and sponsors, we were able to distribute close to and/or over the previous year’s total for most of local beneficiaries which is a huge accomplishment”, says Jeremy Hawpe, Black Tie Dinner Co-Chair.

The 2020 Black Tie Dinner Board voted to distribute all funds evenly during this difficult and unprecedented year. Organizations always have the ability to increase their respective distribution amounts by going above and beyond with assigned requirements such as raffle ticket sales, donated auction items, etc. Black Tie Dinner distributed the following funds to this year’s beneficiaries:

• AIDS Outreach Center: $48,546 • AIDS Services of Dallas: $48,996 • Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star: $49,296 • Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ: $49,101 • Celebration Community Church: $50,421 • Coalition for Aging LGBT: $25,136 • Foundation: $49,221 • Health Education Learning Project: $53,091 BLACK TIE DINNER, INC.

3824 CEDAR SPRINGS, #335 DALLAS, TEXAS 75219 WWW.BLACKTIE.ORG

• Foundation: $76,001 • Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund: $50,021 • Legacy Counseling Center: $49,371 • Northaven United Methodist Church: $75,147 • Planned Parenthood of Greater North Texas: $52,491 • Promise House: $48,546 • Resource Center: $50,271 • : $49,746 • Uptown Players, Inc.: $49,596

Black Tie Dinner announced November 13, 2021 as the date for their 40th Annual Dinner being hosted at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. After serving as Black Tie Dinner Co-Chair for 2019 and 2020, Jeremy Hawpe will be stepping down as Co-Chair and Terry Loftis will be moving into the Junior Co-Chair position starting in 2021 and serving with Senior Co- Chair Brad Pritchett. “We would like to thank Jeremy Hawpe for his service and leadership the past 2 years. He leaves an incredible legacy as Co-Chair including 2019’s record distribution amount and the successful very first Black Tie LIVE give-a-thon television event. I’m looking forward to partnering and leading with Terry Loftis as we move into our historic 40th year”, says Brad Pritchett, Black Tie Dinner Co-Chair. They also announced the first-year members for 2021:

• Mackenzie Salenger • Lec Garcia

About Black Tie Dinner

Black Tie Dinner is a non-profit organization that raises funds for , , bisexual, and queer (LGBTQ) supportive organizations serving North Texas through a premier event of empowerment, education and entertainment in partnership with the community. 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 $25 million dollars to a wide variety of organizations serving the needs of the LGBTQ community.

The event has headlined local and national celebrities and leaders such as Billy Porter, Beto O’Rourke, , Maya Angelou, Geena Davis, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, Connie Britton, Kim Petras, and Dustin Lance Black. In addition to live entertainment, Black Tie Dinner honors outstanding service to the LGBTQ community with the Elizabeth Birch Equality Award, the Black Tie Dinner Media Award and the Kuchling Humanitarian Award. Recipients have included Debra Messing, Greg Louganis, Elizabeth Birch, Sharon Stone, , , Showtime Networks/Robert Greenblatt, Bishop V. Gene Robinson, , Logo Network/Brian Graden, Chely Wright, American Airlines, Terrence McNally, Chaz Bono, JCPenney, Scouting For All founder Zach Wahl, Erich Bergen, and Jessi Cruickshank.