Do we hear LGBTQ+ icons, legends, history and legacy?!
The 2nd Annual Stonewall Inn Brick Awards Gala will honor Grammy, Emmy, and three-time Tony Award winner Billy Porter with the Icon Award at event venue Racket in Chelsea of New York City, next Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Alongside this honor, the Our Son star will perform his new song “Not Today” from Black Mona Lisa, Vol. 2: The Cookout Sessions. Emceeing the event is Peppermint from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9, joined by viral musical act 76th Street, world-renowned drag artist Alaska, and Out100 honoree Kevin Aviance. Other celebrity guests include Saturday Night Live alum Punkie Johnson, Drag Race Season 10’s Yuhua Hamasaki, and Porter’s Pose co-star Dominique Jackson.
“The Stonewall Inn and all the brave souls who threw a brick are the ultimate icons of LGBTQ+ liberation in America which makes this award all the more special,” said Porter. “The Stonewall Gives Back Initiative (SIGBI)’s mission to create safe spaces for our community is incredibly important, and I look forward to supporting their efforts at the Brick Awards Gala.”
As the only official nonprofit of the historic Stonewall Inn, SIGBI will continue to host the fundraising gala. The evening will also feature a live auction hosted by comedian Dana Goldberg, with curated products and experiences.
“We are thrilled to recognize and honor those who are continuing the Stonewall Inn legacy,” said Stacy Lentz, the nonprofit’s CEO and co-founder, “while supporting SIGBI's ongoing efforts to ensure even more safe spaces exist for members of our community.”
SIGBI, inspired by the Stonewall Inn Uprising of 1969, actively collaborates with brands, venues, and businesses worldwide through its Safe Spaces certification program, fostering welcoming and inclusive spaces that prioritize LGBTQ+ safety and support.
“SIGBI supports grassroots organizations committed to advocacy and provides crucial support to LGBTQ+ communities and individuals through awareness campaigns, educational programming, fundraising, and candid public dialogue,” SIGBI elaborated in a statement. “We are committed to eliminating the social intolerance that is profoundly impacting the lives of LGBTQ+ citizens throughout America and abroad.”
New York City-based designer and artist Deborah Czeresko will create hand-blown glass awards for SIGBI’s honorees in five categories: Global, Community, Business, Youth, and Influence.
“These one-of-a-kind keepsakes nod to the legendary brick thrown during the 1969 protest that ignited the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement,” SIGBI noted in a press release.
The gala is sponsored by equalpride—the parent company to The Advocate, Out, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and The Advocate Channel—along with Deutsche Bank, Saks Fifth Avenue, Method + Metric, AEG, Hornitos, Jagermeister, jetBlue, Stoli, Brooklyn Brewery, The New York Yankees, GO Magazine, Moxy Hotels NYC, Nasdaq, and others.
Join this celebration of LGBTQ+ legacy and support SIGBI’s mission by visiting axs.com to purchase tickets today! All attendees will receive gift bags at the gala.
This story is brought to you by our partners at The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative.
