EqualityMaine's 37th Annual Awards Gala

The GALA is back and we can’t wait to REUNITE with you!

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THOMPSON’S POINT TOINGHT STARTING AT 5PM!

 Can’t attend, make a donation!

Each year, we come together as a community to celebrate the progress we’ve made and raise up the work that lays ahead until each and every LGBTQ+ Mainer can live their authentic life, free from discrimination, prejudice, bias and violence. With the progress Maine has made in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re excited to adapt our annual Gala, normally held each spring at the Holiday Inn, to an outdoor event at Thompson’s Point in Portland.

We hope you will join us for this very special end-of-summer celebration in support of EqualityMaine!

Presented by: Crewe Foundation, Embrace Home Loans, and Serra Public Affairs

Saturday, August 28, 2021
5pm-10pm
Outdoors at Thompson’s Point, Portland

ASL interpretation provided
Inclement weather re-schedule date: Sunday, September 12

Featuring:

• Opening reception with cocktails (cash bar) and a food tasting extravaganza with some of Portland’s favorite food trucks and eateries

• Critical updates on our priorities for the year ahead

• Celebration of our 2021 Honorees

• Hosted by friends of EqualityMaine, Tommy Waltz and Thomas Smallwood

• Entertainment by VI VA & The Reinforcements

• Live auction with auctioneer Erin Ward of Star Benefit Auctions

• After party with DJ Keith James and a special performance by Chartreuse Money

• And THIS YEAR ONLY - we’re throwing a party before the party!  Click HERE for more info about the 2021 Day-la!

​​2021 Honorees

• Partner for Equality Award
  Equality Community Center
   
• President’s Award
  Nancy Kelly, Swanville
   
• Alan Lindquist Young Leader Award
  Ollie Chase, Rumford
   
• Out Front Leadership Awards
  Theo Greene, Portland
  Marta Haydym, Westbrook
  MaryAlice Mowry, Patten

Ticket and Table Reservations

• Tickets are $100 per person (online ticket sales close tonight at 5pm; tickets will also be available at the front gate Saturday evening).
• Includes admission to event, food tasting, dessert and entertainment; admission to Day-la also included
• Table reservations are available for groups of 8 or 10
• Pay-what-you-can and a limited # of free tickets also available.  Please email Chris O’Connor at coconnor@equalitymaine.org.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THOMPSON’S POINT TOINGHT STARTING AT 5PM!

Note:  If you’d like to pay with a check, please email Chris at coconnor@equalitymaine.org to reserve your tickets. You can mail your check to EqualityMaine, PO Box 1951, Portland, ME 04104.

The Gala is our largest annual fundraiser and directly supports the EqualityMaine Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Host Committee / Indivudual Sponsorship Opportunities

By joining the Host Committee you are making a commitment to support EqualityMaine and have an enhanced Gala experience. Host Committee members will receive the following Gala benefits:

• Reserved free parking at Thompson’s Point
• Preferred seating during Gala program
• Name recognition in pre-Gala communications and in Gala program booklet
• Free admission to the Day-la

​Champion of Equality:  $2,500 (10 Gala admissions; 2 drink tickets each)
Defender of Equality:    $1,000 (4 Gala admissions; 2 drink tickets each)
Advocate for Equality:   $500 (2 Gala admissions; 2 drink tickets each)
Friend of Equality:       $300 (2 Gala admissions) / $150 (1 Gala admission)

Click HERE to join the 2021 Gala Host Committee!

Business / Organization Sponsorship Opportunities

Serving as a Gala sponsor is a great way to support EqualityMaine while gaining great exposure with our supporters and event attendees. Click HERE for more information on sponsor levels and benefits.

Not able to attend?  Make a regrets donation today!

Click HERE to make a donation to sponsor a ticket (or tickets) for youth and other community members.

Accessibility

• ASL interpretation will be provided.
• The Thompson’s Point campus is very spacious and includes a variety of terrains. The event will include dirt parking lots, grass fields and a considerable amount of walking may be required.
• Additional disabled parking spots will be added adjacent to the venue. We will have a team of accessibility volunteers to help any guests who need assistance.
• Seating will be available.
• Accessible restrooms will be available.

Safety

Most Mainers have been incredibly smart and responsible, more than 80% of all eligible people age 12 and older in our state have been vaccinated. We’re very proud that the LGBTQ+ community has done even better, with a recent report indicating that 92% of LGBTQ+ adults surveyed have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

The CDC continues to advise that masks are generally not needed for outdoor settings. We have intentionally planned this event outside to provide the safest environment for our community to gather. 

We have use of the entire Thompson’s Point grounds to allow for social distancing, and will have masks and hand sanitizer available for guests. While masks will not be required and we will not be asking for proof of vaccination, all guests are encouraged to follow their own personal measures to stay safe and remain healthy.

We ask that anyone who is feeling sick or experiencing symptoms related to COVD please stay home - we will gladly issue a refund for your ticket.

Thank you in advance for doing your part to help us have a safe and successful Day-la and Gala. We have always navigated challenging times together as a community, and we’re excited to REUNITE with you this weekend!!

Additional Ways to Support the 2021 Gala!

• Promote your business or organization by placing an Ad in our Gala program book!
   
• Join our team of Volunteers to help make sure all aspects of Gala day run as planned. 

Still have questions?

Please contact Development Director, Christopher O’Connor, at coconnor@equalitymaine.org or 207-761-3732 x19.