Hundreds of supporters of the William Way LGBT Community Center will come together next week for the agency’s largest fundraising event of the year, which is now sold out.
Indigo Ball will be held from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 128 N. Broad St.
The gala was held at the Franklin Institute last year, and center development director Michael Pomante said the host venue changes year to year for variety.
“We always want to give our patrons and those who attend a different experience each year,” he said.
Pomante said the center hopes to raise $80,000 from the event. Ticket sales were capped at 350.
Every year the center honors a number of local individuals and organizations, and will introduce a new award this year, the Corporate Partner of the Year, which will go to PECO.
“They have had volunteer days here where they do projects for us,” Pomante explained. “They support the community in different ways. Nationally, PECO is committed to diversity in the workplace. For those reasons, they were definitely the right choice.”
Philly Dyke March, celebrating its 15th year, will be honored with the Community Partner of the Year Award.
“Several of the organizers have been committed to the center in various different ways, so they are truly an epitome of what a community partner is,” Pomante said.
He added the Rev. Rodger C. Broadley of The Church of St. Luke’s and The Epiphany was a natural choice for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
“During the AIDS epidemic, where no synagogue, church, mosque, nowhere would bury AIDS patients, he was the only person who would do it. He has opened up his doors to ACT UP Philadelphia at St. Luke’s when other places wouldn’t do so,” he said. “We picked someone who stood for committing to our community and going above and beyond and facing ridicule and retaliation.”
Mayor Michael Nutter will be presented the Humanitarian Award.
“He is always speaking out as an ally to the community and is just a true advocate for our community,” Pomante said.
The Philadelphia Freedom Band will play during cocktail hour, and this year’s venue will have a dance floor. Pomante said the after-party IndieGoGo will return but, for guests who can’t make it to that party, the dance floor was a welcomed addition.
“A lot of people who attended Indigo Ball in previous years didn’t make it over to IndieGoGo, so they were disappointed that there was no dance component,” Pomante said.
While the event is sold out, Pomante said a limited number of tickets may be able to be made available to interested guests. For more information, email Pomante at [email protected] or call 215-732-2220.