The National LGBTQ Task Force will honor LGBTQ activist and Emmy-winning star Karamo with the prestigious National Leadership Award at its annual fundraising gala. The event, set for October 19, 2024, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, will be hosted by Emmy-nominated actor, writer, and comedian Joel Kim Booster. Performances by Frenchie Davis from “American Idol” and Ginger Minj from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will add to the evening’s festivities. The gala aims to support the Task Force’s “Queer the Vote” campaign.
The National LGBTQ Task Force Gala, sponsored by St. John’s on the Lake United Methodist Church, is a key national event celebrating the LGBTQ community in South Florida. This year’s theme, “Roots of Progress, Blooms of Hope,” honors the organization’s 50 years of advocacy and its ongoing mission to achieve full LGBTQ equality. Funds raised will support the Task Force’s initiatives, especially the “Queer the Vote” campaign, which encourages progressive voters to head to the polls in 2024.
Karamo, an Emmy-winning host known for his role on Netflix’s “Queer Eye,” will be recognized for his efforts in combating HIV stigma and promoting mental health and HIV education within the Black queer community. He has also been a vocal supporter of his son Jason, who came out as pansexual at age 21.
“I am deeply honored to receive the 2024 National Leadership Award from the National LGBTQ Task Force. This recognition reflects not just my work but the strength, resilience, and love of our entire community,” Karamo said. “Together, we’ve made significant strides towards equality, and although there is still much to be done, I remain dedicated to amplifying our voices, advocating for our rights, and supporting those in need. Let us continue to lead with compassion and conviction, ensuring that every individual can live openly and authentically.”
Karamo, who will also be hosting “The Karamo Show,” entering its third season in September 2024, is a prominent figure in LGBTQ advocacy and youth empowerment. His Netflix series “Queer Eye” returns for its ninth season in December 2024. Additionally, he engages in LGBTQ advocacy through President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance.
Joel Kim Booster, the evening’s emcee, is a stand-up comedian and actor recognized for his role in the film “Fire Island,” which earned him two Emmy nominations and a nomination for Best First Screenplay at the Independent Spirit Awards. Booster also stars alongside Maya Rudolph in Apple TV+’s “Loot” and his Netflix special “Joel Kim Booster: Psychosexual” received critical acclaim.
The 2024 Eddy McIntyre Community Service Award will be presented to former Task Force Board Co-Chair Roger Thomson and SAVE advocate Jim Tyrrell. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the South Florida LGBTQ+ community through their service, talent, and personal donations.
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Kierra Johnson, President of the National LGBTQ Task Force, emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “This year’s gala centers on our ‘Queer the Vote’ campaign, which calls not just to those attending but to our entire community. We are at a pivotal moment; this election will determine whether we advance or lose the progress we’ve achieved. Karamo epitomizes what’s at stake with his advocacy work and visibility as a queer Black man, and I am thrilled to celebrate him and all the talent at the gala.”
Guests will also enjoy performances by Frenchie Davis and Ginger Minj. Davis, known for her powerful voice and performances on “American Idol,” “The Voice,” and Broadway’s “RENT” and “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” received a Grammy nomination for her work. Minj, a prominent drag performer from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” is also recognized for her role in “Hocus Pocus 2.”
The National LGBTQ Task Force Gala is supported by Presenting Sponsor St. John’s on the Lake, along with Champion Sponsors Jim Tyrrell & Roger Thomson and Truist Wealth. Defender sponsors include The James G. Pepper Fund at Our Fund Foundation, Jorge Luis García, Liebe & Seth Gadinsky, Ryder Charitable Foundation, and The Miami Foundation.
For more information about the National LGBTQ Task Force and to purchase tickets for the gala, visit The Task Force Gala website.
About The National LGBTQ Task Force:
The National LGBTQ Task Force is dedicated to advancing full freedom, justice, and equality for LGBTQ people. Despite significant progress, many LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination in housing, employment, healthcare, and basic human rights. The Task Force works to eliminate these barriers through activism and advocacy. For more information, visit The Task Force website.
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