5 Best Moments of The Equality Ball, Hosted by Human Rights Campaign & Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD

“We love y’all watching Pose and Legendary, but we also want y’all to come outside and support!” proclaimed Stephanie “Packrat” Whitfield, one of the executive producers of Sunday night’s powerful Equality Ball (Aug. 27).

The urgency of her words was the guiding principle of the night, as some of the most iconic names in ballroom convened for an unforgettable night — one that paid tribute to the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights and highlighted the many avenues through which people continue to push for queer liberation across American politics. Hosted by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest LGBTQIA+ civil rights organization, in association with Beeline Productions and the Shady Gang, with support from BeyGOOD Foundation, the Equality Ball brought authentic ballroom culture to KAOS Nightclub in Las Vegas, Nevada.

With Carlos Irizarry of the House of Basquiat, one of the choreographers and dancers on Beyoncé’s record-breaking Renaissance World Tour, as one of the figures spearheading this event, which was seven years in the making, Queen Bey’s influence loomed large over the night. For the night’s final category, the aptly titled “OTA Performance — Bring It Like Beyoncé,” participants recreated some of the singer’s instantly iconic tour ensembles and crafted custom pieces inspired by Renaissance tracks. From the “Cozy” robot arms to several renditions of her sparkly gold Loewe bodysuit, Beyoncé was omnipresent. Not to mention, several key Renaissance Tour figures were in attendance, including Honey Balenciaga, Les Twins, and some of the tour’s film crew.

Nevertheless, the Equality Ball was never dominated by Queen Bey. In fact, the ball was arguably a pitch-perfect example of how allies can assist marginalized groups in achieving their visions, while still allowing them to take center stage. From Kevin Jz Prodigy and Shannon Balenciaga to Dashaun Wesley and Precious Basquiat, the Equality Ball was spearheaded by pillars of the culture, people who live and breathe the freedom, catharsis, and resistance of ballroom.

In the wake of the harrowing, unjust murder of O’Shae Sibley, the Equality Ball stood not only as a celebration of the vitality of LGBTQIA+ life and culture, but also as a staunch reminder that this community will not be silenced or erased. “Ballroom culture is synonymous with the Black queer community — it creates a safe space for LGBTQ+ people at a time when being your authentic self was dangerous. But, let’s not get confused, it’s still dangerous for us — Black and Brown trans women are facing an epidemic of fatal violence,” says Human Rights Campaign President, Kelley Robinson. “The Equality Ball serves as another space for those who feel overlooked to take center stage and let the
world know that — as Beyoncé sings — you won’t break our souls.”

The Human Rights Campaign offered countless educational resources at the Equality Ball, including HIV testing, voter registration, and direct access to information about local LGBTQ+ programs and initiatives.

Here are the five best moments from the Equality Ball on Sunday: