An eventful, impactful summer

We kept friends of Stonewall busy this summer with a bunch of amazing events. With so much on the line for queer and trans folks right now, spaces for joy and celebration are more important than ever. Queer joy - our joy - is revolutionary, and no amount of hateful legislation will take that from us. From our annual Pride gala in the heart of Manhattan to the return of our annual poolside soirée for younger donors out on Fire Island, our community danced through a summer of parties with purpose. Take a look at some highlights from an eventful summer - we mean that literally!

A Visionary evening

Our beautiful community showed up and showed out at the 2023 Vision Awards on June 15! More than 300 guests came together at the legendary Ziegfeld Ballroom in Manhattan for a powerful showing of our community's creativity, humor, unity, and resilience. Our 2023 Visionaries — the night’s honorees — included award-winning journalist and activist Imara Jones, groundbreaking SNL comedian Molly Kearney, trailblazing model and disability justice advocate Aaron Rose Philip, and leading queer rights legal defender Chase Strangio. Each Visionary represented a different aspect of the queer experience, and we were honored to share space with them.

Vision attendees rocked their finest ‘fits reflecting our dress code of “queer determination” and hit the red carpet with style, dined on a gourmet meal, were moved by an inspiring awards program, and then danced the night away with friends old and new. From donors and fund partners to nonprofit leaders and scholarship recipients, our audience included folks from each and every corner of the Stonewall universe.

With so many moments of brilliance, it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few! Take a look at this recap video to get a taste of Vision 2023. We hope to see you there next year!

Learn more about the 2023 Vision Awards here

A brunch to be proud of

Later in June, the emerging LGBTQ leaders of Stonewall Quarter Share (SQS) gathered high above Times Square for their annual Pride weekend brunch. Welcoming nearly 100 guests on the rooftop of the Hard Rock Hotel in Manhattan, the brunch was an opportunity for members of SQS and their friends to connect, learn more about Stonewall, and celebrate the work that SQS has made possible over the past year. Since 2007, SQS has raised well over $1 Million to support Stonewall’s work and that of over a dozen vital LGBTQ organizations in NYC. Proceeds from the brunch went directly into SQS’ grantmaking fund, and members are preparing to award a generous $24,000 this fall (at Revel 2023) to a local group working to provide safe harbor for LGBTQ immigrants, refugees, and internally displaced people.

A pool party with purpose

Prior to the pandemic, the young leaders of Stonewall Quarter Share wrapped up each summer with an annual pool party in the Fire Island Pines. This year, we revived the event, but with a twist: recognizing the economic barriers to accessing Fire Island and the historic exclusion of queer and trans people of color in the Pines, we partnered with the Black & Brown Equity Coalition of Fire Island (BaBEC) to co-host an event in support of their important work. BaBEC works to break down those barriers, and build equity for trans folks and people of color in the queer Fire Island communities of Cherry Grove and the Pines. In partnership with BaBEC, we built a welcoming, gold-themed event that highlighted Black and trans talent, featuring music by DJ DANIRO and a performance by Mx. Juneteenth Fire Island 2023, La’Nece Versace. Together, we built awareness of the SQS program, and raised over $5,000 for BaBEC. Now that’s a party with purpose!