The man who took the case for marriage equality to the U.S. Supreme Court and a star of “The L Word” will arrive in Philadelphia next week to celebrate the region’s work toward LGBT equality.
Jim Obergefell and Katherine Moennig will speak at the 20th-annual HRC Greater Philadelphia Gala, along with Mayor Jim Kenney and Chad Griffin, president of the national Human Rights Campaign.
“We have a pretty incredible lineup to celebrate 20 years,” said Liz Balcom, co-chair for the gala, noting, “everyone’s drooling” over Moennig, a Philadelphia native who currently plays Lena, a lesbian, on the Showtime series “Ray Donovan.” She will be recognized as HRC Greater Philadelphia’s Equality Honoree.
Nicole Svonavec is also co-chairing the gala.
The event runs five hours, starting at 5 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market St. Tickets cost $225 for VIP tickets with entrance at 5 p.m. They’re $200 for entrance at 6 p.m. Dress is black tie optional.
Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus will sing a couple songs to open the event. The formal program takes place in the ballroom with Kenney, Griffin and Obergefell slated to speak first, followed by Moennig and a surprise performer after dinner.
An after party starts at 10 p.m. at ICandy in the Gayborhood at 254 S. 12th St.
“It’s meant to pull in an even broader scope of folks from the community,” Balcom said.
For those who couldn’t attend the gala, the cover charge is $5. The money supports HRC work in the Philadelphia region. Gala guests can bring their tickets for free entrance to the after party.
Marvin Rocha, a Philadelphia-based member of HRC’s board of governors and corporate co-chair of the gala, said the event represents a moment for celebration and reflection.
“It does pay homage to the generations who marched for equality and fought for marriage equality,” he said. “The 20th anniversary is reaffirming to the generations that came before us and commits us to the work ahead, especially with the backlash LGBT communities are seeing in many state legislatures across the country.”
Rocha said he’s proud of the fact that Philadelphia voters decided in November to amend the city charter to make permanent the city Office of LGBT Affairs, and that Philadelphia scored over 100 points on the fourth annual HRC Municipal Equality Index, which was released in December.
Balcom added the gala feels personally meaningful because she didn’t come out until she was in college and has since become an active member of the LGBT community. She said HRC Greater Philadelphia has a committee of about 15 people that have spent over a year planning this milestone event.
“It’s a really great mix of people in the community,” she said noting some live in the city and some in the suburbs. “It has been a labor of love.”
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.hrc.org/events/2016-greater-philadelphia-gala.