Emmy-nominated actress and transgender advocate Laverne Cox will receive the Pride in Action award at Lifelong's inaugural Pride Gala in Seattle on Saturday, June 13.
The benefit event, titled "An Evening for Equality," aims to raise funds for essential community services across Washington state.
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Gala Details and Performers
The gala will bring together civic, philanthropic, creative, and business leaders.
Brad Goreski will host the evening, with performances by Macy Gray, Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters, and Miz Cracker.
Advocacy and leadership honors will also be presented to Chris Olsen during the event.
Lifelong organizes the gala to support food access, housing assistance, and medical case management for more than 8,200 individuals in Washington.
An honorary committee includes actresses Jean Smart and Bella Thorne.
Cox's Career and Advocacy
The award recognizes Cox for a career spanning over two decades, highlighted by an Emmy nomination for her role on Orange Is the New Black, the documentary Disclosure, and her memoir Transcendent.
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Despite her extensive public record, Cox expressed a desire for continuous growth. "I'm still a student at 54 years old," she said.
Cox recently hosted the annual gala for Outright International, using her platform to combat misinformation and advocate for systemic changes.
She emphasized the deeper value of community gatherings beyond individual recognition.
"When we're gathered together, we feel our collective power," Cox said. She described these unified events as "life-giving" and "life-sustaining."
Cox highlighted the critical role of local organizations in making individuals feel connected and supported. "It's all about the local organizations," she added.
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Lifelong is using its first Pride Gala to encourage supporters to convert celebration into tangible services. The specific fundraising target has not been disclosed.
