Stonewall Ball | Compass LGBTQ Community Center

The 20th Annual Stonewall Ball

Important Update: Due to concerns about the weather, the June 25th Stonewall Ball will be ENTIRELY indoors at the Cox Science Center. This includes the 9pm dance party. Nothing will dampen our Electric Disco!

We are thrilled that Compass' Stonewall Ball will return on Saturday, June 25, 2022, in an exciting new venue: Cox Science Center and Aquarium. As always the evening promises great company, delicious food and drinks, a fabulous silent auction, live entertainment, an awards ceremony, and much more! Come dressed to impress and, if you'd like, keep this year's theme: Electric Disco, in mind! The VIP Reception will take place inside, but the Dance Party starting at 9 pm will take place outside in our Electric Disco Forest. Make sure you consider that when choosing your attire.

The purpose of Stonewall Ball is to raise funds to sustain programs and operations for Compass Community Center. Compass Community Center has been serving the LGBTQ+ community in Palm Beach County for nearly 35 years. Funds raised support LGBTQ+ people with programs such as: HIV/AIDS Insurance premium and co-pay programs and peer-support groups, youth groups and activities, transgender resources and support, free mental health services, and cultural competency trainings for government agencies, corporations, and small businesses.

We hope you can join us for the 20th Annual Stonewall Ball for a night at the Electric Disco to honor our past and look forward to our future.

Support by donating to our silent auction:
Donation form
Donation letter

Important Information for the Night of Stonewall!

Address and Directions

The 20th Annual Stonewall Ball will be held at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium at 4801 Dreher Trail N, West Palm Beach, FL 33405.

If you are coming from the north:

Take I-95 Southbound
Exit 68 at Southern Blvd and head east to Parker Ave.
Turn right heading south on Parker Ave until you reach Summit Blvd.
Head west on Summit Blvd about a half mile. You will see signs for the Palm Beach Zoo and for the Cox Science Center.
Turn on to Dreher Trail and continue until you see the Cox Science Center.

If you are coming from the south:

Take I-95 Northbound
Exit 66 at Forest Hill Blvd and head east to Parker Ave.
Turn left heading north on Parker Ave until you reach Summit Blvd.
Head west on Summit Blvd about a half mile. You will see signs for the Palm Beach Zoo and for the Cox Science Center.
Turn on to Dreher Trail and continue until you see the Cox Science Center.

Timeline

7:00 - 8:30pm - VIP Reception with Open Bar & Hors d'oeuvres

8:30 - 9:00pm - VIP Award Ceremony

9:00 - 12:00am - Dance Party with entertainment & performances

The Electric VIP Award & Cocktail Reception will be hosted by FayWhat?!, lesbian activist, Latina radio show host and host of the weekly FayWhat?! YouTube show.

During the Award Ceremony we will honor Joseph L. Kolb & Michael Hoagland with the Michael Brown Faces of the Community Award, City of Boynton Beach Mayor Ty Penserga with the Compass Leadership Award and Ruthie Berman with the Compass Lifetime Achievement Award.

Parking

Parking will be available on the property. You can self-park or valet.

A valet will be present to help park your cars. Tips for the valets are appreciated.

Please drive responsibly. If you enjoy yourself too much, please have a designated driver or use a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft to get you home safely.

Attendees

Check-in is in the lobby, alphabetical by name (there are no physical tickets). Only attendees who purchased tickets or are the named guests of those who purchased tickets will be allowed into the Ball. People who have not pre-purchased tickets will not be allowed inside the event under any circumstances. Tickets WILL NOT be sold at the door. All volunteers and sponsor attendees need to be registered in advance. If you have any questions about this, please email Adrienne at [email protected]

Security Section

Please note that everyone’s safety is our primary concern and there will be enhanced security at the Stonewall Ball. All portions of the Ball are now inside due to weather concerns. In addition to the security that already exists at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, we will have uniformed security on-site, enhanced security check-in, and only confirmed ticket holders will be allowed into the event (tickets will NOT be available at the door).

COVID

Palm Beach County is experiencing an increased positivity rate for COVID. Masks will not be mandatory, but are encouraged. We recommend you to bring your own mask; we will have some masks available if needed

The 20th Annual Stonewall Ball Details

Saturday, June 25, 2022

Electric VIP Award & Cocktail Reception 7:00 -9:00 pm
Disco Dance Party 9:00 pm - 12:00 am

Location: Cox Science Center and Aquarium
4801 Dreher Trail N, West Palm Beach, FL 33405

Theme: Electric Disco
Dress Attire: Cocktail Attire and Costumes

Misstress of Ceremonies Fay What?!

Fay What?! is the superb radio and television personality who hosts the popular Fay What?! blog and YouTube channel aiming to unite the L and the G together. She's a hostess & Emcee for many South Florida events, an animal advocate & owner of Fay's Fur Family. Also, make sure to catch The Fay What Show, the first LGBTQ+ morning show, Mondays at 9 AM Eastern online or on your smart TV! Click here to watch episodes of the Fay What?! morning show.

Check out Compass' Michael Riordan and Julia Murphy on the Fay What?! show in March talking about Palm Beach Pride!

The Divas

The hottest divas in Palm Beach County will be taking the stage at this summer's premiere LGBTQ+ event: The Stonewall Ball!

The First Lady of the Palm Beaches Melissa St. John, Miss Florida FI at Large Velvet Lenore and Miss Palm Beach Pride 2018 Rianna Petrone will be performing alongside a number of other surprise elements that you won't want to miss.

DJ Supreme 1

DJ Supreme1 is bringing his brand of high octane beats to this year's Stonewall Ball! For our 20th anniversary, we will be making a lot of noise well into the night! DJ Supreme1 will be stirring up the crowd at both the VIP Awards Reception and the Dance Party!

Awards

Compass Lifetime Achievement Award

Ruthie Berman

Ruthie Berman has been at the vanguard of the LGBTQ movement since 1988 when she and her beloved wife, Connie Kurtz, sued the New York City Board of Education for domestic partner benefits. Thousands of people were impacted by seeing Ruthie and Connie on The Phil Donahue Show and on Geraldo. Between this national media and the 2002 documentary about their lives, the number of people whose minds and hearts Ruthie was responsible for
opening is immeasurable.

Ruthie further ensured support was available by starting chapters of PFLAG in both Florida and New York, and by founding The Answer is Loving Counseling Center. For many years, Congress has introduced bills to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to specifically include the LGBTQ community. The bill, H.R. 7993, is known as the Ruthie and Connie LGBT Elder Americans Act of 2022. The legislation will be reintroduced this year and will be renamed the Ruthie and Connie LGBT Elder Americans Act of 2018.

These are a few of the noteworthy milestones in a life dedicated to women, to lesbians, to families, to youth, and to so many in our community. Beyond Ruthie's activism and leadership, she has always been a generous supporter of Compass, and we are so grateful to have her as a neighbor and a friend.

Congratulations Ruthie! You are an inspiration to us all!

The Compass Leadership Award

Ty Penserga

As the first openly gay mayor of the City of Boynton Beach, Ty Penserga is being honored with the Compass Leadership Award. This prestigious honor recognizes the achievements of elected and appointed officials who display the highest level of commitment and a well established record of leadership in social justice. Mayor Penserga has deep roots in Palm Beach County, spending his childhood here after being born in the Philippines. He returned after college to teach Biology and Chemistry, and got his Master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University. In Boynton Beach, he served as City Commissioner and Vice Mayor before winning a contentious election to become Mayor.

As a public servant, Mayor Penserga’s priorities include enhancing public safety for all communities, promoting affordable/workforce housing, promoting entrepreneurship, creating high paying jobs, creating a vibrant and exciting downtown, and supporting our local schools. Mayor Penserga strongly believes that good governance, equitable growth, and a strong, long-term vision are the foundations that will revitalize Boynton Beach and bring prosperity for all families.

Michael Brown Community Award

Joseph Kolb & Michael Hoagland

Each year at the Stonewall Ball, Compass presents the Michael Brown Faces of the Community Award. This prestigious award honors those individuals who accomplish significant advancements for our community and have
demonstrated an unwavering commitment to social justice for people living in Palm Beach County.

This year, we present this award to Joseph L. Kolb and Michael Hoagland for their efforts with our mature LGBT community members. They help coordinate the social group, Coffee Clatch. When COVID prevented in-person meetings, Joe and Michael immediately switched to twice monthly meetings on Zoom (beginning April 2020) plus a monthly Book Club, also on Zoom. The purpose of Coffee Clatch is to minimize social isolation among our seniors, and Joe & Michael's commitment to this goal was abundantly clear as they reached out by phone, email and social media to over 250 individuals. Since fall 2021, Coffee Clatch has been meeting on the first and third Mondays at Compass with coffee & conversation for the first hour and a speaker in the second hour.

Like Michael Brown, Joe and Michael express his jovial spirit, his generosity and his loyalty to all those who know them. Michael Brown’s tireless advocacy and support for his beloved LGBTQ+ community was reflected in everything he did: Joe and Michael are perfect stewards of this legacy.
Congratulations Joe and Michael!

Thank You to the Supporters of Stonewall Ball and Compass!

Joseph L. Kolb & Michael Hoagland

Mauricio Busa & Barry Hayes

Nicholas Coppola and David Crespo

Jonathan Faulker & Marie Kolb Faulker

The Stonewall Ball Host Committee

Alicia Lewis
Collin Adams
Jennifer Gowdy
Jessica Clasby
Joseph Garcia
Joseph Kolb
Justin Lynch
Bradley Jackson
Pamela Rada
Peter Conn
Sarah Parr Malega

Help Us Throw the Best Party of the Summer!

The Stonewall Ball is on June 25th! It is going to be our biggest Stonewall ever and we need help! If you'd like to volunteer to help, you can be part of Pride Month's premiere LGBTQ+ event in Palm Beach County! Click the link below to register to help!

The 20th Annual Stonewall Ticket Levels

Elected Official's Electric VIP Award & Cocktail Reception Ticket

7:00 pm - 12:00 am - $500.00

The Electric VIP Award & Cocktail Reception will be hosted by FayWhat?!, lesbian activist, Latina radio show host and host of the weekly FayWhat?! YouTube show.

During the VIP Award & Cocktail Reception we will be honoring an awardee for the Michael Brown Faces of the Community Award, Compass Leadership Award, The Compass Lifetime Achievement Award, Premium Open Bar, Hors d'oeuvres, Live entertainment, Dancing, & Silent Auction.

Influencer

7:00 pm - 12 am - $1,000.00

The Influencer ticket will include The Electric VIP Award & Cocktail Reception Ticket and name recognition. The Electric VIP Award & Cocktail Reception will be hosted by FayWhat?!, a lesbian activist, Latina radio show host and host of the weekly FayWhat?! YouTube show.

(The Influencer ticket will include The Electric VIP Award & Cocktail Reception Ticket and name recognition)

Electric VIP Award & Cocktail Reception Ticket

7:00 pm - 12:00 am - $300.00

The Electric VIP Award & Cocktail Reception will be hosted by FayWhat?!, lesbian activist, Latina radio show host and host of the weekly FayWhat?! YouTube show.

Disco Dance Party

9:00 pm - 12:00 am - $45.00

All attendees are welcome for Cocktails (Cash Bar), Dancing, Live entertainment, & Special Performances all night long.

20th Stonewall Ball Sponsors:

20th Stonewall Ball Sponsors Levels:

Presenting - $25,000

Champion - $15,000

Defender - $10,000

Protector - $5,000

Supporter - $2,500

Influencer - $1,000 (Individual/Couples - Not available to businesses)

To view the Stonewall Ball 2022 Sponsor Packet, click here.

Stonewall Ball History

The Stonewall Ball was created in 2002 as a targeted outreach event, aimed toward decision makers and the people who speak, walk, vote or donate to support them. Compass as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, charitable organization does not support, endorse or promote any candidate regardless of political affiliation. Compass’ primary mission is to promote pride in our community, encourage informed civic engagement, and create opportunities for the type of relationship building with community leaders that many others may take for granted.

Held the last Saturday in June (and in conjunction with Stonewall celebrations across the country and world during Pride Month June), the Stonewall Ball not only recognizes our collective history, but it sheds light on opportunities for our community’s future through fully inclusive social justice leadership. Annually, more than 1,500 people attend the event, and past honored guests have included Donna Red Wing, Jeffrey Trammel, and Elaine Noble.

Over the years, Compass’ mission has been supported by a number of local leaders who have moved on to become elected or appointed public officials. Along the way, some have become state senators, others who were school board members have moved on to become county commissioners, and still others, such as loyal legislative aids, have become mayors or state representatives, or both. A few have even become representatives of the United States.

More significantly, though, few who have been with us have ever left Compass or its mission behind them. Most proudly boast their place in our shared history.

Organization leaders, appointed and elected officials, and the people who support them most are under a special kind of scrutiny in the light of Florida’s sunshine. Each and every decision they make in support of all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, is on the record for the rest of their public or private careers. That is why it is so important to know who they are, and for them to know who we are – and more importantly, how many we are.

Each year, the Compass Leadership Award is presented to an elected or appointed official who has demonstrated a commitment to honoring and forwarding social justice initiatives that are inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Additionally, the Michael Brown Faces of the Community Award is presented to a community member who has demonstrated notable efforts toward promoting pride and a connectivity within our diverse community.

Past Stonewall Black and White Party Photos

For more photos, click here.