Celebration of Courage 2025 Awards and Gala
Date & Time:
Monday, June 2, 2025
6:00-10:30 PM ET
Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, NYC
About the Event
Program subject to change.
Overview
Celebration of Courage is Outright International’s flagship annual awards and gala. Our 2025 event commemorates 35 years of Outright’s work to advance human rights for LGBTIQ people worldwide. This evening of inspiration highlights Outright’s achievements and honors courageous activists and allies leading the fight for equality globally.
Date & Time
Monday, June 2, 2025, 6:00–10:30 PM ET
Location
Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, New York City
Event Schedule (PM, ET):
6:00–7:15 PM: Red Carpet, Welcome Reception, Silent Auction (indoor and outdoor, weather permitting)
7:15–9:15 PM: Seated Dinner, Program, and Live Auction (indoor)
9:15–10:30 PM: Closing Reception, Silent Auction (indoor and outdoor, weather permitting)
Program
Experience the NightJoin a distinguished group of LGBTIQ individuals, allies, and top supporters in civil society, media, business, and politics for an inspiring evening celebrating community, solidarity, and queer joy.
What to Expect
Host Committee
For inquiries about joining the Host Committee, contact:
Chandler Bazemore (he/him)
Senior Development Manager
CBazemore@OutrightInternational.org | +1 (212) 430-6057
Maria Sjödin
Executive Director
Outright International
Michelle Blankenship
Outright International
Jennifer Craighead-Carey
Outright Donor
Darrel Cummings
Board of Directors
Outright International
Martin Dunn
Board of Directors
Outright International
John Heilman
Board of Directors
Outright International
Fabrice Houdart
Board of Directors
Outright International
Camille Massey
Board of Directors
Outright International
Suzanne Rotondo
Board of Directors
Outright International
Suki Sandhu
Board of Directors
Outright International
Jessica Stern & Lisa Davis
Outright Donors
Kathy Teo
Board of Directors
Outright International
Jon Tilli
Deutsche Bank
Elliot Vaughn
Board of Directors
Outright International
Zegar Family Foundation
Outright Donors
Honorees & Awards
Celebration of Courage has a rich history of honoring exceptional activists, organizations, and allies. Stay tuned for announcements on additional honorees and special guests!
Explore our Awards
Felipa de Souza Award
Recognizes the courage and activism of grassroots groups and individuals to survive and thrive in the face of incredible odds and tremendous challenges.
Outfront Award
Pays tribute to special individuals, companies and/or organizations who have significantly advanced awareness of and equality for LGBTIQ people, and used their brands, resources, voices and/or platforms to be “out in front” of issues impacting LGBTIQ people globally.
Outspoken Award
Recognizes a group or individual serving as an ally and that contribute to advanced awareness and equality for LGBTIQ people.
Outstanding Award
Recognizes the outstanding contributions of LGBTIQ individuals and allies to Outright, the global LGBTIQ movement, and LGBTIQ people everywhere.
2025 Honorees
2025 Felipa de Souza Award Honoree
Gender DynamiX
Special Guests
Host: Karamo
Emmy-winning host, author, and activist
Celebrating our Generous Sponsors
Outright International is grateful for the incredible support of our sponsors, whose contributions help power our movement for LGBTIQ equality worldwide.
Diamond Sponsors:
Platinum Sponsors: (To Be Announced)
Gold Sponsors: (To Be Announced)
Silver Sponsors: (To Be Announced)
Bronze Sponsors: (To Be Announced)
Brass Sponsors:
Corporate Sponsorship
Support Celebration of Courage 2025 by becoming an institutional sponsor. Benefits of the sponsorship includes hospitality perks, onstage acknowledgments, logo placement in event materials, and much more.
For sponsorship inquiries, contact:
Jessica Miller (she/her)
Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships
Jmiller@OutrightInternational.org | +1 (212) 430-6019
Corporate Sponsorship Levels (USD)
Tables
For table inquiries, contact:
Evan Davidoff (he/they)
Senior Major Gifts Officer
Edavidoff@OutrightInternational.org | +1 (516) 263-0335
Table Captain Levels (USD)
Tickets
For ticket inquiries, contact:
Evan Davidoff (he/they)
Senior Major Gifts Officer
Edavidoff@OutrightInternational.org | +1 (516) 263-0335
Individual Tickets
Auction
Support the gala with a DonationOutright’s Live and Silent Auctions feature exclusive items. Proceeds directly support our programs advancing LGBTIQ rights worldwide.
For auction inquiries, contact:
Andrew Schlager (he/him)
Development Officer
ASchlager@OutrightInternational.org | +1 (717)-405-7856
Support Celebration of Courage with an Auction Donation
FAQs & Contact Information
For questions about Celebration of Courage, tickets, sponsorships, or auctions:
Jessica Miller (she/her)
Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships
Outright International
Mobile: +1 (212) 430-6019
Email: Jmiller@outrightinternational.org
Evan Davidoff (he/they)
Senior Major Gifts Officer
Outright International
Mobile: +1 (516) 263-0335
Email: Edavidoff@OutrightInternational.org
Andrew Schlager (he/him)
Development Officer
Outright International
Office: +1 (717) 405-7856
Email: ASchlager@OutrightInternational.org
Chandler Bazemore (he/him)
Senior Development Manager
Outright International
Office: +1 (212) 430-6057
Email: CBazemore@OutrightInternational.org
Refund Notice
Each ticket holder understands and agrees that all tickets purchased are final sale and are not eligible for return, exchange, or transfer.
The event will occur rain or shine but in the rare event that the CDC and or New York State prohibits the event because of extremely severe weather, or if an event is postponed due to changes within local and state orders, you will be contacted with an exchange date(s) for the event. Outright International will not issue any refunds for health-related concerns, inclement weather, program changes, etc., but will work with each individual or institution to identify mutually agreed upon benefits and/or, in unique circumstances left to Outright’s discretion, credits of equal value.
In the event of a canceled event, Outright will issue a refund of the ticket price paid upon request of the ticket purchaser. In no event will delivery charges or any other amounts be refunded. If a refund is issued, it will be issued using the same method of payment that was used to purchase the tickets. Outright will not be liable for travel or any other expenses that the ticket purchaser or anyone else incurs in connection with a canceled or postponed event.
Outright reserves the right, without refund of any amount paid, to refuse admission to, or eject, any person whose conduct management deems disorderly, who uses vulgar or abusive language and/or who fails to comply with venue rules. Breach of terms or rules will terminate your license to attend the event without refund. A ticket is a revocable license and admission may be refused upon refunding the ticket’s face amount. A ticket is not redeemable for cash.