Neil Patrick Harris, Elton John, Pink and more come out for queer family gala

Leading LGBTQ advocacy group Family Equality held one of its big annual fundraisers on Monday evening in New York City.

The star-studded gala took place at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Pier and attracted 900 guests. It raised a staggering $1.1 million for the organization.

Founded in 1979, Family Equality supports members of the LGBTQ+ community to build families. It hosts in-person and virtual events for families to connect and network, as well as advise on inclusive schools and LGBTQ+ friendly providers.

Pack your bags, we’re going on an adventure

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for the best LGBTQ+ travel guides, stories, and more.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today

Unsurprisingly, it believes in celebrating queer families in all their forms. One way it does this is with its annual Luminary Award. This year, the award went to gay dads Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka. It was presented to them by their friends and fellow dads, Elton John and David Furnish.

Harris gave a speech in which he referenced how far the world has come in embracing queer families, but how more needs to be done.

“Our work now is to make sure that every child, every parent, every family everywhere gets to live in a world where their family is not a question mark,” said Harris.

“Where love is not treated as a loophole. A world where our rights are not wrong. That is what Family Equality stands for — not theoretical equality, not occasional acceptance, not tolerance when convenient. Lived equality. Legal equality. The ability to marry, to parent, to protect our children, to thrive, and to be ordinary — and that is an extraordinary thing.”

Another honoree on the night was ​​Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, founding Executive Director of the Campaign for Southern Equality. She received the Hostetter-Habib Family Award.

The evening also included a surprise performance from Grammy winner Pink. There were also performances from the cast of CATS: The Jellicle Ball, Nicholas Christopher (Chess), the cast of The Lost Boys, Joshua Henry (Ragtime), and an appearance from Karine Jean-Pierre, among others.

Among the many guests were Dan Bucatinsky, Sophia Bush, Alina Cho, Claybourne Elder, Judy Gold, Todrick Hall, Marcia Gay Harden, Julie Chen Moonves, Kathy Najimi, Carl Nassib, Jim Obergefell, Peppermint, Uma Thurman and Colton Underwood.

“Family is greater than a census box or a legal loophole,” said Darra Gordon, CEO of Family Equality. “It is commitment, sacrifice, and unconditional love. We aren’t here to take anything away from anyone else; we are here to ensure the law recognizes the reality of all our lives. Because what is good for our families is good for all families…We are here. We are family.”

Family Week

Besides the annual Night at the Pier, Family Equality’s other big in-person event is Family Week in Provincetown, Massachusetts. This year’s event runs from July 25 through to August 1. It attracts around 600 families each year.

The week includes activities for adults (such as yoga and networking), for kids (drag storytime), and for all ages (pool and beach parties, family volleyball, etc). The full schedule for the 2026 event is published on May 15.

Check out more photos from Monday evening’s gala below. And it’s not too late to donate to Family Equality to boost their fundraising further.

Related

José Rolón is redefining family travel for gay dads
The event planner turned Tik Tok celebrity knows all about traveling with kids.And he’s willing to share what he’s learned.

Join the GayCities newsletter for weekly updates on the best LGBTQ+ destinations and events—nearby and around the world.