Celebration of Courage
awards and gala
Date & Time:
Monday, June 1, 2026
6:00-10:30 PM ET
Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, NYC
About the Event
Overview
Celebration of Courage is Outright International’s annual awards and gala. It is an evening of inspiration and community in support of human rights for LGBTIQ people everywhere. Celebration of Courage highlights Outright’s achievements and elevates and advances activists and our allies leading the charge to gain equal rights for LGBTIQ people in their countries and around the world. Our annual awards and gala raises critical operating support for Outright and the global LGBTIQ movement.
Event Schedule (PM, ET)
6:00–7:15 PM: Red Carpet, Welcome Reception, Silent Auction (indoor and outdoor, weather permitting)
7:15–9:15 PM: Seated Dinner, Program, and Live Auction (indoor)
9:15–10:30 PM: Closing Reception, Silent Auction (indoor and outdoor, weather permitting)
Attire
Evening fabulous, fashion-forward formal, elevated glam
Program
Experience the NightJoin a distinguished group of LGBTIQ individuals, allies, and top supporters in civil society, media, business, and politics for an inspiring evening celebrating community, solidarity, and queer joy.
Host Committee
Join global leaders, advocates, and changemakers committed to advancing human rights for LGBTIQ people worldwide. Become a member of our Host Committee and signal a powerful public commitment to dignity and freedom—while helping fuel the critical work that makes courage possible in communities across the globe. Host Committee members commit to make their best efforts to spread the word about Celebration of Courage and to sell tickets, tables and/or corporate sponsorships.
Chandler Bazemore (he/him)
Senior Development Manager
Outright International
Office: +1 (646) 207-0745
Email: [email protected]
Maria Sjödin
Outright International
Camille Massey & Gillie Holme
Outright International
Amb. Chantale Wong
Outright International
Darrel Cummings & Tim Dang
Outright International
Elliot Vaughn & Colin Horswell
Outright International
Gigi Chao (on leave)
Outright International
Gregory Lewis
Outright International
Hosh Ibrahim
Outright International
Jeff Natter & Jeff Buchan
Outright International
Jenny Pizer & Doreena Wong
Outright International
John Heilman
Outright International
Julie Dickson
Outright International
Kathy Teo & Fran Pour
Outright International
Keshav Suri
Outright International
Lanaya Irvin & Janessa Cox-Irvin
Outright International
Lenny Emson
Outright International
Louise Chernin & Mary Klein
Outright International
Lysanne Charles
Outright International
Martin Dunn
Outright International
Micheal Ighodaro & Jirair Ratevosian
Outright International
Pedro Pina & Rodrigo Romero Hidalgo
Outright International
Russell Roybal
Outright International
Suki Sandhu & Manuel Heichlinger
Outright International
Kevin Williams
Outright International
Amir Ashour
Outright International
Jon Tilli
Deutsche Bank
Brent Miller
P&G
Andrè du Plessis & Greg Smiley
Outright Donors
Doug Heske & Rudy Rubio
Newday Financial & Causeway Impact
Jennifer Craighead-Carey
Outight Donor
Kevin Jennings & Thomas Fitzgerald
Outright Donors
Linda Lebovitz & Andy Finkelstein
Outright Donors
Mitchell Karp & Barry Katz
Outright Donors
Out Loud & Laughing, Hosted by Bryan and Jon
Outright Donors
Rick Mordesovich & Warren Marenco Chase
Outright Donor
Awards & Honorees
Celebration of Courage has a rich history of honoring exceptional activists, organizations, and allies. Stay tuned for announcements on additional honorees and special guests!
Explore our Awards
Felipa de Souza Award
Pays tribute to the courage and activism of individuals, groups or organizations who support LGBTIQ communities to survive, organize, and thrive in the face of legal, social, and political challenges across regions and borders, through advocacy, organizing, and care, and help create lasting change.
Outstanding Award
Pays tribute to individuals, companies, or organizations whose sustained work has helped improve understanding of and fairness for LGBTIQ people across communities and regions.
Outspoken Award
Pays tribute to individuals, companies, or organizations who have publicly spoken up for LGBTIQ people, helping to raise awareness and encourage change through clear and consistent advocacy.
2026 Honorees
2026 Felipa de Souza Award Honoree
VoteLGBT
2026 Outstanding Award Honoree
Levi Strauss & Co.
2026 Outspoken Award Honoree
Cyndi Lauper (She/Her)
Stay tuned for additional announcements of honorees.
Special Guests
Host: Laverne Cox
Laverne is an Emmy winning producer and Emmy nominated actress
Avon Dorsey (He/Him)
VOGUE Contributing Writer
BETTY
BETTY is a Globally recognized indie-pop activist band that has performed for 4 decades together
Brita Filter (She/Her)
National Chair of Drag Out the Vote, Creative Director of Fascism is a Drag, and Political Content Creator
Bru Pereira (She/Her)
Executive Director, VoteLGBT
Claybourne Elder (He/Him)
Actor and Writer
Erik Ziemba (He/Him)
Fashion Stylist
Gui Mohallem (They/Them)
Executive Director, VoteLGBT
Jen Capra (She/Her)
Emmy Nominated Writer & Influencer
Julie J (She/Her)
Actress & Drag Artist
Kal Penn (He/Him)
Writer, Actor, Producer
Paul Dillinger (He/Him)
Vice President, Head of Global Design Innovation, Levi Strauss & Co.
Randy Gardner, OLY (He/Him)
World Figure Skating Champion, Olympian, Activist
Celebrating Our Generous Sponsors
Outright International is grateful for the incredible support of our sponsors, whose contributions help power our movement for LGBTIQ equality worldwide.
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Brass Sponsors
Auctions
Outright’s Live and Silent Auctions feature exclusive items, providing contributors with unique brand elevation and engagement opportunities. Proceeds directly support our programs advancing LGBTIQ rights worldwide. Donate items today!
For auction inquiries, contact:
Andrew Schlager (he/him)
Development Officer, Corporate Engagement
[email protected] | +1 (717)-405-7856
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For directions and questions on accessibility:
Pier Sixty is fully ADA-compliant. If you require accommodations or special considerations, please let our onsite Registration Team know, upon arrival at the Check-In desk.
If you or your guests require assistance navigating the venue, event personnel will be onsite at the entrance to assist you. When determining your travel plans and arrival time, please take into consideration that Pier Sixty is on the far west side of Manhattan (West Side Highway & 19th Street) and you may be traveling during the height of evening rush hour. Please allow for plenty of time, as we want you to take part in all the planned festivities!
Refund Notice
Each ticket holder understands and agrees that all tickets purchased are final sale and are not eligible for return, exchange, or transfer.
The event will occur rain or shine but in the rare event that the CDC and or New York State prohibits the event because of extremely severe weather, or if an event is postponed due to changes within local and state orders, you will be contacted with an exchange date(s) for the event. Outright International will not issue any refunds for health-related concerns, inclement weather, program changes, etc., but will work with each individual or institution to identify mutually agreed upon benefits and/or, in unique circumstances left to Outright’s discretion, credits of equal value.
In the event of a canceled event, Outright will issue a refund of the ticket price paid upon request of the ticket purchaser. In no event will delivery charges or any other amounts be refunded. If a refund is issued, it will be issued using the same method of payment that was used to purchase the tickets. Outright will not be liable for travel or any other expenses that the ticket purchaser or anyone else incurs in connection with a canceled or postponed event.
Outright reserves the right, without refund of any amount paid, to refuse admission to, or eject, any person whose conduct management deems disorderly, who uses vulgar or abusive language and/or who fails to comply with venue rules. Breach of terms or rules will terminate your license to attend the event without refund. A ticket is a revocable license and admission may be refused upon refunding the ticket’s face amount. A ticket is not redeemable for cash.
Contact
For questions about Celebration of Courage:
Chandler Bazemore (he/him)
Senior Development Manager
Outright International
Office: +1 (646) 207-0745
Email: [email protected]