The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach has announced that its 2nd Annual Black and White Ball will be on Saturday evening, March 21 at 6:00PM at the Lagunita Pavilion at Hotel Maya. Tickets are available now to attend this elegant soiree.
“The community response to our gala last year was simply amazing,” says Ron Sylvester, president and chairman of The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, in a statement. “This year we look forward to welcoming hundreds of guests to our event to celebrate our Center and our fabulous LGBTQ community.”
Live music, an exclusive performance by Bravo TV’s Julie Goldman, dinner, dancing, a silent auction and three Center Icon Awards presented to outstanding individuals of the community will make for an unforgettable evening. The cast and creators of Amazon Studio’s Transparent will be honored, along with its 2015 Celebrity Icon Award for their contribution to raising awareness of the transgender community and supporting transgender actors and writers.
“Transparent truly sets the bar for television content that includes positive and affirming transgender stories and characters. We look forward to honoring the cast and crew of this pioneering and award-winning show at our community celebration.” said Executive Director Porter Gilberg in a statement.
Congressman Alan Lowenthal will receive the Political Icon Award for his years of hard work and advocacy in Congress for LGBTQ rights and formerly as a state and local legislator. The Community Icon Award will be presented to Ellen Ward, former Mayor of Signal Hill and former executive director of AIDS Walk Long Beach. According to the release, Ward has spent decades working for LGBTQ and HIV positive individuals and will be honored with this award in grateful company.
Tickets to the event are $150, of which the proceeds will support the many programs and services of The Center, which serves an estimated 25,000 clients per year. Last year’s event raised $40,000 which allowed The Center to increase programming and hire additional staff members.
Support for The Black and White Ball is provided by The Port of Long Beach, Southern California Edison, Supervisor Don Knabe, Interval House, Jet Blue, and Nick Chavez Beverly Hills. Tickets are available now on The Center’s website or in person at the front desk of The Center at 2017 E. 4th Street in Long Beach.
For more information about the event, visit the Facebook event page or website.
Hotel Maya is located at 700 Queensway Dr.
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