The 2025 Black Tie Dinner

Black Tie Dinner distributed $1.38 million at its annual 2025 Wrap Party on Thursday night, Dec. 18, an event underwritten by Lexus, Black Tie officials announced, saying the distribution totals “reinforce the strength and resolve of the North Texas LGBTQ+ community.”

Black Tie Dinner’s 2025 Co-Chairs
Deirdre Coleman, left, and Liliana Villareal

“Proceeds from the 44th Annual Black Tie Dinner, held Nov. 8 under the ‘Still We Rise’ theme, extend a four-decade legacy of supporting and uplifting LGBTQ+ organizations,” according to a press release announcing the distribution totals. “With this year’s distribution, Black Tie Dinner has now provided more than $33 million to non-profit organizations since 1982.”

The press release notes that this year’s list of beneficiaries “supports diverse organizations addressing critical community needs across North Texas, along with Black Tie Dinner’s national beneficiary — the Human Rights Campaign Foundation — and two recipients of the expanded John Thomas Beyond the Tie Fund.

“These organizations deliver vital services, including transgender support and transportation, LGBTQ+ youth housing and crisis intervention, HIV/AIDS care, mental health support, reproductive healthcare, inclusive faith programs and arts organizations that amplify LGBTQ+ storytelling,” the statement continues.

The 2025 Senior Co-Chair Liliana Villarreal said, “Our theme definitely resonated with our supporters this year,” said. “Being able to distribute more than $1.3 million to our beneficiaries reflects the resilience of the community no matter the obstacles and challenges faced this year.”

Deirdre Coleman, the 2025 junior co-chair who on Thursday night stepped into the role of senior co-chair for Black Tie’s 2026 efforts, added, “Especially in this moment, our beneficiaries are meeting urgent needs with compassion and courage. This distribution ensures they have the resources to continue showing up for our community when it matters most.”

HELP Center for LGBTQ+ Health and Wellness CEO DeeJay Johannessen at the 2025 Black Tie Dinner

Leadership for 2025, in addition to Coleman, announced Thursday night include Junior Co-Chair Joshua Williams and Co-Chair-Elect Gage Baird. New board members announced at the Wrap Party are Alejandro Arango, Antoinette Oliver, Clint Milner, Franchesca Dárgìn, Kelli Rabalais and Ryan Stewart.

The 45th Annual Black Tie Dinner is set for Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, “continuing its mission to uplift and strengthen LGBTQ+ communities through partnership, philanthropy and community celebration,” according to the press release. For information on sponsorships, beneficiary applications, volunteer opportunities and event updates, visit BlackTie.org.

2025 distribution details
Local beneficiaries and the amounts they received are, in alphabetical order:

2022 Kuchling Award Winner Robert Emery with 2026 KUchling Award winner Jaymes Black at this year’s Black Tie Dinner
  • Abounding Prosperity Inc. — $23,157.17
  • ASD — A Home For Life — $35,969.34
  • Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ — $37,139.34
  • Celebration Community Church
    — $36,189.34
  • Dallas Hope Charities — $58,714.34
  • Equality Texas Foundation
    — $43,489.34
  • Finn’s Place — $35,414.34
  • Galileo Church (North Texas
    TRANSportation Network)
    — $34,223.34
  • HELP Center for LGBT Health
    & Wellness — $52,684.34
  • KIND Clinic — $20,682.17
  • Legacy Cares — $34,964.34
  • LGBTQ Saves — $19,454.92
  • Northaven United Methodist
    Church — $64,516.84
  • Planned Parenthood of Greater
    Texas — $46,698.59
  • Resource Center — $47,270.59
  • Synergy Wesley Foundation
    — $35,825.59
  • Transition Resource Action Center
    (TRAC) — $35,614.34
  • Turtle Creek Chorale — $36,557.84
  • Uptown Players — $41,125.59
  • Women’s Chorus of Dallas
    — $40,176.09

    National beneficiary The Human Rights Campaign Foundation received $598,589.26.
    The John Thomas Beyond the Tie Fund recipients for 2025 were kin·dom camp and Dallas Social Queer Organization.
    Black Tie Dinner has distributed more than $33 million to LGBTQ+ supportive organizations through premier community events since its inception in 1982. It is the largest LGBTQ+ fundraising dinner in the nation, each year selecting up to 20 North Texas nonprofits as beneficiaries in addition to its national beneficiary, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Black Tie Dinner leaders say their organization “remains committed to advancing equality, health, education, visibility, and empowerment for LGBTQ+ communities.”

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