Out for Good Gala Shatters Records, Honors LGBTQ+ Visionaries and Innovators

Published Date: October 9, 2024 Category: Events, Out for Good

On Saturday, October 5, the Montrose Center held its 11^th annual Out for Good Gala, in celebration of National Coming Out Day. The event honored Greg Jeu of OutSmart Magazine with the 2024 LGBTQ+ Visionary Award for his celebration of and impact on Houston’s LGBTQ+ communities for more than 30 years. We also launched a new award at the event, the LGBTQ+ Innovator Award. The inaugural recipient was Ian L. Haddock of The Normal Anomaly Initiative, Inc., in recognition of the tremendous impact he’s made and the innovative approaches he brings to his work. The event broke Center fundraising records, raising $400K for the Montrose Center’s services. One of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive LGBTQ+ centers, the Montrose Center has been empowering LGBTQ+ Houston since 1978.

We are thrilled to have met our fundraising goal of $400K for the event. Will you help us get to our reach goal of $425K for services benefiting LGBTQ+ Houston?

DONATE IN HONOR OF GREG & IAN

More than 700 guests attended October 5’s gala – a new Center record! – which took place at the landmark Marriott Marquis Houston. Guests were encouraged to embrace the black and white theme, and they did not disappoint in their fabulous looks– just take a look at the three different photo galleries below!

The night was filled with dazzling performances from Pride Chorus Houston, the beautiful A’Mya Jackson Ross, and Houston Ballet’s “it couple,” Zoe Lucich and Gian Carlo Perez. At the after party, glamorous DJ Fanci, drag favorite Persephone, and the boundary-pushing Eddie Divas kept the party going until late into the night.

Unforgettable photo moments, including a first-in-the-city ball pit photo experience, were owed to Flashbar Photo Booth for providing stunning decor was provided by Kirksey Gregg Productions. Huge thanks to CORT Furniture for creating intimate lounge areas for our guests.

Speakers included event chairs Kathy Anderson of Eklektik Interiors, Corey S. Scranton of Barcelona Wine Bar, and Harper Watters of the Houston Ballet, host Ernie Manouse of Houston Public Media, past Out for Good honoree and Former Mayor Annise Parker, board president Gary Wood, chief executive officer Avery Belyeu, and Jordan J. Edwards of The Normal Anomaly Initiative.

Supporters of the event included local officials: past honoree Judge Phyllis Frye, Senator Molly Cook, State Representative Ann Johnson, State Representative Lauren Ashley Simmons, Justice Meagan Hassan, Justice Charles Spain, Judge Jim Evans, Houston City Council Member Mario Castillo, Houston City Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, Houston City Council Member Julian Ramirez, and Commissioner Leslie Briones. Other past honorees in attendance include Dalton DeHart, Linda Morales, and Dina Jacobs.

Our amazing sponsors covered the costs of the event so that our guests’ donations fund direct client services. Extra thanks go out to the night’s top sponsors: Brian Dupnick and Paul & Leon Guillory.

VIP Underwriter Tickets
Bob Burress & Tom Seymour
Mike Freeman
Scott Ulrich & Ernest Trevino

Event Partners
Flashbar Photo Booth
Kirksey Gregg Productions

We have already met our fundraising goal of $400K for the event. Will you help us get to our reach goal of $425K for services benefiting LGBTQ+ Houston?

DONATE IN HONOR OF GREG & IAN

Want to learn more about the event or how you can get more involved? Don’t hesitate to contact us at development@montrosecenter.org.