Peppermint to Accept Vanguard Award at Dallas Gala

The 45th annual Black Tie Dinner will take place on November 14, 2026, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in LGBTQ+

Gouache-painted illustration of a crystalline award trophy on a velvet table, evoking the prestige of an awards gala.
Broadway star Peppermint will be honored with the Vanguard Award at the 45th annual Black Tie Dinner in Dallas on November 14. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Broadway star and RuPaul's Drag Race icon Peppermint will receive the Vanguard Award at the 45th annual Black Tie Dinner. The event is set to occur on November 14, 2026, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.

Why it matters

The dinner celebrates the LGBTQ+ community while raising essential funds for organizations that serve LGBTQ+ North Texans. The Vanguard Award specifically honors individuals who have led movements to advance equality and progress.

The gala reaches its 45th annual edition this year, featuring honorees like Visibility Award recipient Cece Cox, who holds a 16-year tenure as CEO. Ticket sales for the event remain open until November 2, 2026.

The players

Peppermint

She is a Broadway star and RuPaul's Drag Race season 9 runner-up who will receive the Vanguard Award.

Benito Skinner

He is a comedian and performer who is designated as the 2026 Media Award recipient.

Cece Cox

She is the CEO of the organization and the recipient of the 2026 Visibility Award.

DeeJay Johannessen

He is the designated 2026 Raymond Kuchling Humanitarian Award recipient.

Kelley Robinson

She is a nationally recognized activist who is a scheduled speaker for the event.

The details

In addition to Peppermint, the event will recognize Benito Skinner with the Media Award and DeeJay Johannessen with the Raymond Kuchling Humanitarian Award. Kelley Robinson is also scheduled to deliver remarks during the evening program.

Timeline

  1. Ticket sales for the event close on November 2, 2026.

  2. The 45th annual Black Tie Dinner will take place on November 14, 2026.

Culture Shift

This event continues the long-standing tradition of the Black Tie Dinner series as a central pillar for North Texas LGBTQ+ advocacy. It reflects a broader societal trend of leveraging large-scale galas to sustain regional social services.

Residents interested in attending the gala must secure tickets before the November 2, 2026, deadline. Proceeds from the evening directly support organizations providing services to the local LGBTQ+ community in North Texas.

The takeaway

The upcoming gala highlights the intersection of celebrity advocacy and local community fundraising. Interested guests should monitor the reservation timeline to ensure participation in this regional event.

Further reading

For more information on local events and advocacy, visit the LGBTQ+ section.

More information

To purchase passes or view event details, visit Black Tie Dinner ticket reservations.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Dallas Voice.

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