2023 Task Force Gala at The Miami Beach Convention Center

Photography by Kyle McLaughlin on October 14th, 2023 in Galas

Latrice Royale, Robbie Elias, & Dyllon Burnside

Miami Beach, FL – October 14, 2023 – In celebration of their milestone 50th anniversary, The National LGBTQ Task Force hosted its 27th annual Gala at the Miami Beach Convention Center, on Saturday, October 14.. This year’s gala theme—Forever Strong, Unapologetically Queer—spoke to the organization’s determination in uplifting the LGBTQ community and creating spaces for queer people to be their full, authentic selves. The event was attended by over 700 people, raised over $750,000 (to date) for the Task Force and local South Florida LGBTQ organizations. At Midnight, attendees celebrated the official anniversary of the National LGBTQ Task Force at the AfterGlow Ball with a champagne toast hosted by House of Trouble.

Best known for her lead role as Elektra in the hit show Pose on FX, actress, model, and activist Dominique Jackson received the 2023 National Leadership Award, an honor awarded each year to an advocate who has helped further the Task Force’s mission. Constance Collins, the Founder and President of the Sundari Foundation, Inc. (also known as the Lotus House Women’s Shelter), was honored with the 2023 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award for their efforts in establishing and supporting a network of women’s shelters and programs nationwide. Emcees of the evening included iconic drag performer Latrice Royale, crowned “Miss Congeniality” of RuPaul’s Drag Race: Season 4 and award-winning actor, singer, and filmmaker Dyllón Burnside, best known for his role as Ricky in the FX series Pose.