The Inaugural Liberty City Gala — Liberty City Democratic Club (LCDC)

A New Philadelphia Tradition

Celebrate our history.
Build what comes next.

Liberty City has spent decades building political power for LGBTQ+ people and our allies. The inaugural Liberty City Gala launches a signature annual event designed to celebrate that legacy while generating resources for the work ahead.

Proceeds from the Gala will strengthen Liberty City's ability to support LGBTQ+ candidates and allies, organize voters, advocate for civil rights, build coalitions, and develop the next generation of LGBTQ+ political leadership.

What to Expect

Cocktail reception and networking
Buffet dinner
Keynote address by Jim Obergefell
Special guest speakers
National Anthem performance
Drag and live performances
Silent auction featuring local businesses
Champion of LGBTQ+ Rights Award
Recognition of Liberty City's past leadership
Elected officials, advocates, labor, business and community leaders

Keynote Speaker

Jim Obergefell

Civil rights activist and plaintiff in Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that secured marriage equality nationwide.

Jim's story embodies what is possible when ordinary people organize, speak out, and insist that our country live up to its promise of equality. We are honored to welcome him to Philadelphia as the inaugural keynote speaker of the Liberty City Gala.

Special Guest Speakers

Joining us in Philadelphia.

The inaugural Gala will also welcome special guest remarks from leaders joining Liberty City for this historic evening.

Governor Josh Shapiro

48th Governor of Pennsylvania

Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Governor of Michigan

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker

Mayor of Philadelphia

Live at the Gala

Performance. Pride. Celebration.

Our inaugural Gala brings together political leadership, community, music, dance and queer performance for a celebration worthy of the moment.

Drag • Performance • Emcee

Icon Ebony Fierce

A Black trans North Philadelphia native, performer, community organizer, curator and social justice advocate, Icon Ebony Fierce brings a background in drag, performance art, theater, dance and spoken word to the Gala stage. Icon's work has long centered QTPOC communities, gender equality, body positivity and queer expression. At the Gala, Icon will bring that energy to the evening through drag performance and emcee moments throughout the program.

National Anthem

Antonia Brunetti

Dynamic vocalist and live entertainer Antonia Brunetti will open the Gala program with a performance of The Star-Spangled Banner. A full-time professional vocalist, Antonia has performed the National Anthem for the Philadelphia Phillies and has appeared at military events, political functions, civic ceremonies, weddings and live entertainment venues. Known for her powerful voice and engaging stage presence, she brings professionalism, energy and heart to every performance.

Dance • Martial Arts • Cultural Performance

Minh Nguyen

Liberty City Executive Board member Minh Nguyen is a Temple University graduate whose dance training spans modern dance, Umfundalai West African dance, and the integration of cultural and martial arts traditions into contemporary movement. Born in South Vietnam, Minh will perform in a Vietnamese Dragon Ao Dai for this special Gala presentation. His performance draws on years of training and performance in Philadelphia and internationally, including work with Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, PHILADANCO!, Koresh Dance Company, and Tokyo Broadway Dance Center. Outside of performance, Minh is a Realtor, President of the Asian Real Estate Association of America, a Pennsylvania Association of Realtors Director, and a longtime Philadelphia election worker and committeeperson.

“It is an immense honor to perform this dance for Liberty City.”

Official Gala DJ

DJ Carl Michaels

DJ Carl Michaels is a fixture of Philadelphia nightlife, with more than three decades behind the decks across the region’s queer venues and Gayborhood dance floors. Alongside extensive residency work and regional touring, Carl has built a deep footprint in music journalism and curation. He is also part of underground house-music history through his work compiling and mixing Sixeleven Records’ acclaimed 1999 Disco Dub House. Carl joins the inaugural Liberty City Gala as the evening’s official DJ, providing the soundtrack from cocktail hour through the celebration.

What to Wear

Come
as you
shine.

The Dress Code

Cocktail Attire
with a Queer Twist

Think cocktail party — then make it yours. Color, sparkle, bold patterns, statement pieces and a little extra flair are absolutely encouraged. Whether your style is classic, glamorous, playful, sharp, gender-expansive or somewhere entirely your own, bring your authentic self to the celebration.

Wear what makes you feel powerful, festive and fabulous.

Join Us

Tickets

Student Democrats

Free

Complimentary admission for high school and college Democrats. Advance registration required; availability may be limited.

Young Professional / Young Democrat

$50

Accessible admission for young professionals and Young Democrats.

Liberty City Member

$100

Special discounted admission for current dues-paying Liberty City members.

General Admission

$125

Cocktail reception, dinner, program, keynote, performances, and silent auction access.

New Member Bundle

$125

Includes one Gala ticket plus one year of Liberty City membership.

Patron

$250

Support the inaugural Gala at an enhanced individual level and receive Patron recognition.

Reserve Your Seat

Founding Sponsorship Opportunities

Help launch our tradition.

Gala sponsors help underwrite this inaugural celebration while providing Liberty City with resources to build LGBTQ+ political power throughout Greater Philadelphia.

Level	Investment	Proposed Benefits
Presenting Sponsor — Exclusive	$10,000	Premier table for 10; exclusive “Presented by” recognition; premier logo placement; optional welcome remarks; full-page program ad; podium recognition; step-and-repeat recognition; website, signage and featured social recognition.
Equality Champion Sponsor	$5,000	Premier table for 10; full-page program ad; prominent recognition during the Gala program; prominent logo placement on the event website and signage; and featured social media recognition.
Leadership Sponsor	$2,500	Reserved table for 10; prominent recognition in the event program; logo recognition on the event website and signage; sponsor recognition during the Gala program; and social media recognition.
Friend of Liberty City	$1,250	Reserved table for 10 plus recognition in the event program and on the event website.
Founding Host	$500	Two Gala tickets plus recognition in the event program and on the event website.
Patron	$250	One Gala ticket plus Patron recognition in the event program and on the event website.

Sponsorship benefits are proposed and may be refined as the program, VIP experience, event production and recognition opportunities are finalized.

Become a Sponsor View Sponsor Packet

Thank You to Our Inaugural Supporters

Building this tradition together.

The Inaugural Liberty City Gala is made possible by the elected leaders, community advocates, businesses, members and friends stepping forward to invest in LGBTQ+ political power across Greater Philadelphia.