Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley and Nevada Independent founder and CEO Jon Ralston are set to be honored later this month at Silver State Equality's annual Equality Awards, a fundraiser expected to draw about 300 business and political leaders to the Las Vegas Strip on Sept. 25. Berkley will receive the Equality Ally Award, while Ralston will be presented with the Equality Advocate Award.
The event is billed as the organization's signature fundraiser, recognizing champions, allies and inspirational leaders who have helped advance LGBTQ+ civil rights in Nevada, according to ktnv.com. Vocalist and Chippendales dancer Jayson Michael Tucker will serve as host for the evening, the station reports. Silver State Equality describes itself on its own site as Nevada's statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, whose awards event honors inspirational leaders and outstanding allied organizations while renewing what it calls a collective commitment in the fight for equality, per the organization's 2026 awards page.
Where and When the Celebration Happens
According to the station's report, the gala is set for Soleia Beach Rooftop at The Vanderpump Hotel on Sept. 25. Silver State Equality's own event page identifies the location somewhat differently, as Soleia Las Vegas at The Vanderpump Hotel — the exact venue name appears to vary depending on the source. That same organizational page lists the schedule as a cocktail reception and awards presentation running from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
André Wade, the group's state director, joined the Morning Blend program to discuss Silver State Equality's mission ahead of the celebration, per the same account. The organization has said its target audience for the evening spans LGBTQ+ movement leaders alongside federal, state and local officials, business and labor leaders, celebrities, and members of the medical and legal communities, according to its awards page.
Sponsors and a Bigger Mission
The annual awards double as both a celebration and a fundraiser supporting Silver State Equality's advocacy and community work, according to whatsup.vegas. This year's presenting sponsors include Southwest as the official airline sponsor, along with Comcast and United Airlines, that outlet reports.
Silver State Equality has described its work well beyond a single night of recognition. When the organization first launched, it set out as a statewide group advocating for the civil rights of Nevada's LGBTQ community, according to a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Early plans included registering voters and helping ensure they understood issues critical to the LGBTQ community, the newspaper noted at the time.
A Past Gala for Comparison
Last year's edition of the event, held Nov. 12, 2025, at KAOS at Palms Casino Resort, honored actress and restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump with the Equality Visibility Award, Jan Jones Blackhurst with the Equality Leadership Award, and the LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada with the Community Leadership Award, according to The Warren Group LV. That program was hosted by RuPaul's Drag Race star Coco Montrese, the site reported.
Beyond its annual gala, Silver State Equality has said it is affiliated with and supported by Equality California and Equality California Institute. The group has also stated it will mobilize with local and national partners to oppose what it calls a discriminatory 2026 ballot initiative and protect transgender Nevadans from discrimination, according to a press release from Silver State Equality.
