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Annual LGBTQ+ civil rights celebration takes place Sept. 25 at Soleia Beach Rooftop Pool at The Vanderpump Hotel
Silver State Equality will celebrate Nevada’s LGBTQ+ community, allies and advocates on Friday, Sept. 25, with its annual Silver State Equality Awards cocktail reception and ceremony at Soleia Beach Rooftop Pool at The Vanderpump Hotel in Las Vegas. The event will recognize two prominent Nevada leaders whose work has advanced equality and amplified LGBTQ+ voices: Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, recipient of the Equality Ally Award, and Jon Ralston, founder and CEO of The Nevada Independent, who will receive the Equality Advocate Award.
The evening will bring together community leaders, LGBTQ+ advocates, elected officials and supporters for an evening focused on recognizing the people and organizations helping create a healthier, more just and fully equal Nevada.
Celebrating Leadership and Advocacy
Mayor Shelley Berkley will be honored with the Equality Ally Award, recognizing her commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion. Berkley, who has spent decades in Nevada public service, brings a long history of civic leadership to her role as mayor of the City of Las Vegas.
The Equality Advocate Award will be presented to Jon Ralston, the founder and CEO of The Nevada Independent. A longtime Nevada journalist and political commentator, Ralston has built the nonprofit news organization into an influential source of independent journalism and political reporting throughout the state.
Together, this year’s honorees represent two important avenues for advancing equality: public leadership and journalism that keeps Nevadans informed.
An Evening for the LGBTQ+ Community
The awards celebration will be hosted by Jayson Michael Tucker, a Las Vegas host, vocalist and Chippendales dancer, who will guide guests through the evening’s program.
The event also recognizes the broader work being done across Nevada to protect LGBTQ+ rights and increase visibility and representation.
As Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, Silver State Equality works to bring the voices of LGBTQ+ Nevadans and their allies to institutions of power throughout the state and across the country. The organization advocates for policies and initiatives designed to ensure LGBTQ+ people can live openly, safely and equally.
For a community that has seen significant advances in LGBTQ+ rights while still facing challenges, events such as the Silver State Equality Awards offer an opportunity to celebrate progress while recognizing those who continue doing the work.
Supporting Equality in Nevada
Silver State Equality is a Nevada-based program affiliated with and supported by Equality California and the Equality California Institute, which the organization describes as the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization.
The annual awards serve as both a celebration and a fundraiser, helping support the organization’s ongoing advocacy and community work. This year’s presenting sponsors include Southwest, the official airline sponsor, along with Comcast and United Airlines. Gordon Prouty is serving as co-chair of the event.
For attendees, the Sept. 25 celebration offers an opportunity to connect with community members and leaders while recognizing two influential Nevadans for their contributions to equality and advocacy.
Event Details
What: Silver State Equality Awards
When: Friday, Sept. 25, starting at 6 p.m.
Where: Soleia Beach Rooftop Pool at The Vanderpump Hotel, 3595 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas
Host: Jayson Michael Tucker
Equality Ally Award: Mayor Shelley Berkley, City of Las Vegas
Equality Advocate Award: Jon Ralston, Founder/CEO, The Nevada Independent
Event Co-Chair: Gordon Prouty
Tickets and sponsorship information are available through Silver State Equality.
For more information about Silver State Equality and its statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights work, visit Silver State Equality.
