By Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 5/12/26 – After a brief pause following the 2024 celebration, the beloved Champions for Justice Gala hosted by the National Center for LGBTQ Rights is returning in 2026, and The Hollywood Times is honored to once again serve as a media partner for this powerful and celebratory evening.
(Set aside in 2025, the gala now returns with renewed energy and purpose.)
Set for May 16, 2026, from 5:30–11:30 PM at The Conservatory at One Sansome in downtown San Francisco, this year’s gala promises an unforgettable night dedicated to defending democracy and advancing LGBTQ rights nationwide.
For those of us at The Hollywood Times who have proudly covered the gala in years past, even flying to San Francisco multiple times to report on the inspiration, elegance, and impact of this signature event, the return of Champions for Justice feels both timely and deeply meaningful. This year, The Hollywood Times team will once again be traveling north to attend and cover the celebration as media partners.
Founded as a feminist legal organization and now one of the nation’s leading LGBTQ advocacy groups, NCLR continues its life-saving work in courtrooms and communities across the country. At a time when equality and civil rights remain under attack, this gala is more than a celebration, it is a call to action.
The evening will be filled with community, commitment, and joy, featuring exceptional cuisine, entertainment, and the collective strength of a movement determined to ensure liberty and justice for all.
As NCLR declares: Justice has never needed a champion more than it does right now.
This year’s gala welcomes dynamic host Irene Tu, a Los Angeles-based stand-up comedian, actor, and writer who honed her craft in San Francisco. Irene’s debut album We’re Done Now reached #1 on the iTunes comedy charts, and she has appeared on major platforms including After Midnight, Hulu, Comedy Central, and Netflix Is A Joke. With over 30 million views across social media, her sharp wit and relatable humor make her the perfect voice to guide the evening.
Keeping the celebration alive on the dance floor is Bay Area nightlife icon DJ LadyRyan. With more than two decades as a DJ, curator, and community leader, LadyRyan is known for creating spaces that radiate safety, connection, and joy. Her intuitive musical style and cultural depth have made her a defining force in public radio, nightlife, and major cultural events throughout the region.
The 2026 honorees represent a powerful cross-section of advocacy, visibility, and leadership. Receiving the Voice and Visibility Awards are journalist Paola Ramos and WNBA All-Star Layshia Clarendon. Courage Awards will be presented to Jazz Jennings and Captain Gordon Herrero, while the Vanguard Award will honor the Golden State Valkyries.
The evening will also include special recognition for Shannon Minter, NCLR’s Vice President of Legal and a member of the 2026 Time100 Most Influential People in the World.
Guests can expect an elegant and energetic evening beginning with cocktail hour from 5:30–6:45 PM featuring savory bites, drinks, and mingling, followed by dinner and the main program at 7:00 PM, including the organization’s “Fund the Future” initiative. The celebration continues at 9:00 PM with the after party at Holbrook House featuring DJ LadyRyan, dancing, Earth Circus performance artists, Vanity Portraits photobooth experiences, and late-night snacks.
Champions for Justice has long been a cornerstone event on San Francisco’s LGBTQ philanthropic calendar. After skipping 2025, its return in 2026 signals renewed energy and commitment at a pivotal time for the movement.
For The Hollywood Times, this partnership is personal. We have proudly supported NCLR as media partners and major donors for multiple galas in the past, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of this event, from moving speeches to meaningful fundraising milestones that directly fuel NCLR’s advocacy nationwide.
To see the gala return in 2026 is a reminder that while challenges evolve, so does the resilience of this community.
Guests are encouraged to embrace the evening’s “Fun Festive Attire” dress code and take advantage of the venue’s accessibility via Montgomery BART, nearby garages, or rideshare services including Uber, Lyft, and Waymo.
Whether attending for the inspiring mission, exceptional entertainment, or the opportunity to stand alongside leaders and advocates shaping the future of equality, Champions for Justice 2026 promises to be both celebratory and impactful.
Champions for Justice Gala
The Conservatory at One Sansome
San Francisco
May 16, 2026
5:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Tickets and table opportunities are now available.
As champions for equality gather once more under one roof, one thing is certain: the future of LGBTQ rights will be shaped not just by court decisions, but by communities willing to stand together.
And on May 16, San Francisco will do just that.
