Black Tie Dinner Logo |
|
| Type | 501(c)3 Non-profit (Charity) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1982 |
| Location | Dallas, Texas |
| Area served | North Texas |
| Focus | GLBT Organizations |
| Method | Fund-raiser Gala Dinner |
| Website | blacktie.org |
Black Tie Dinner is a formal charity dinner held each year in Dallas, Texas to raise money for the North Texas gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community. The first dinner was held in 1982. Since its inception, Black Tie Dinner has remained the largest GLBT fund-raising dinner in the nation, both in attendance and distribution. Today, the dinner is attended by approximately 3,000 guests per year, and has an annual distribution of over $1 Million. Each year, Black Tie Dinner selects up to 20 GLBT focused organizations in the North Texas area to receive proceeds from the dinner, in addition to one standing National beneficiary, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. To date, Black Tie Dinner has raised $16.3 million. [1] [2]
Over the years, Black Tie Dinner has attracted an array of high profile politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and other public figures; both as program entertainment and as attendees of the dinner. Examples include Goldie Hawn, Megan Mullally, Gena Davis, Sharon Stone, Martin Sheen and Lily Tomlin.
Black Tie Dinner is often mistaken for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) "gala" dinners which are held in many major cities around the nation. While the Human Rights Campaign Foundation receives approximately one half of the proceeds from the dinner, Black Tie Dinner, Inc. is an independent 501(c)3 organization with its own Board of Directors. Black Tie Dinner also has the distinction of benefiting local beneficiaries. [3]
The 30th Anniversary Black Tie Dinner was held in November 2011. The event, which sold out more than three months in advance, was emceed by comedienne and actress, Caroline Rhea, and keynote by Academy Award winning actress, Marlee Matlin. Other entertainment line-up that evening included "Modern Family" actor, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and musical performances by platinum recording artist, Taylor Dayne. Two weeks prior to the dinner, actress Jane Lynch (from the television show "GLEE"), held a private book signing in Dallas to help raise funds for the upcoming event. [4] [2]
Contents |
"Black Tie Dinner is a non-profit organization that raises funds for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) supportive organizations serving North Texas through a premier event of empowerment, education and entertainment in partnership with the community." [1]
In early 1982, the newly formed Human Rights Campaign Fund, located in Washington, D.C., designated one of its leaders, Jim Foster, to make contact with the gay communities of several larger cities to test their interest in holding a formal fund-raising dinner to support HRCF. One of the individuals Foster contacted was an old friend who had recently moved to Dallas, Texas: John Thomas. Thomas agreed to meet with Foster if he would come to Dallas, and to pull in a few friends who had connections with the gay community there. That meeting was held, and after a short discussion of the magnitude of such a project, one of the friends said: "I think we're going to need a bigger boat." He called Dick Weaver, who immediately agreed to host a larger gathering of potential volunteers for the effort at his apartment the following evening. At the second meeting, it was agreed that the group would commit itself to hosting a large (for that era) formal, black tie dinner, with the net proceeds to be divided between HRCF and local Dallas charitable organizations serving the gay community. The first Dallas Black Tie Dinner, held in October of 1982 at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Dallas, was attended by 140 people, and produced a $6,000 donation to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Each year thereafter, the dinner grew in both attendance and distribution. During its first 25 years, the dinner raised more than $10 million. Since then, the dinner has maintained an annual distribution of over $1 million and an average attendance of 3,000 guests per year. [1] [3]
Each year, beneficiaries are selected by Black Tie Dinner's Board of Directors. Beneficiaries are selected based on the quality and impact of service they provide to the North Texas GLBT community, as well their financial health and overall stability. Only 501(c)3 non-profits are considered. In addition to providing a significant service to the North Texas GLBT community, applicants must use the majority of their funds for direct programs, services, and/or activities. Beneficiaries who received proceeds in 2011 were: [1]
Each year, Black Tie Dinner features a high-profile keynote speaker. Speakers are typically politicians, Hollywood type celebrities or other prominent figures who have demonstrated a notable advocacy to the GLBT community. Recent keynote speakers have included: [1]
In addition to the keynote speaker, the dinner often includes other celebrity entertainment. Recent dinners have included such entertainers as Robert Gant, Peter Paige, Sharon Gless, Neil Meron, Craig Zadan, Leisha Hailey, Pam Grier, Beth Grant and Ross The Intern.
Each year, Black Tie Dinner recognizes several individuals and/or organizations that have made a "significant contribution to the continued fight for GLBT equality". The awards are publicly announced in advance of the dinner, and presented to their recipients as part of the dinner program. Of the three awards given, two are generally awarded to public figures, while the third is meant to recognize local community leaders. [1]
The Black Tie Dinner Media Award was established in 2008, and recognizes the importance of increased positive awareness of GLBT issues in the media. Recipients have included:
Named for the former executive director of the Human Rights Campaign, The Elizabeth Birch Equality Award is given in recognition of demonstrated national impact on GLBT rights. Recipients have included:
The Kuchling Humanitarian Award has been presented at every Black Tie Dinner since 1983. The award is given to individuals who have made extraordinary gifts of their time and talents on behalf of the gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender community. The award is named in honor of the late Raymond Kuchling, a leading activist in Dallas’ LGBT community in the 1980s.
In 2010, Mantra Communications, Inc. began work on a documentary studying Black Tie Dinner. The film, entitled "Edupowertainment", is scheduled to complete in Spring 2011.[5]