AMY SCHNEIDER, CYRUS & BABAK VEYSSI, AND CASEY MCQUISTON CELEBRATED AT PFLAG NYC'S 2026 ANNUAL GALA
The nonprofit exceeded fundraising goals to provide free support groups, one-on-one family coaching and more to LGBTQ+ families in NYC
NEW YORK, NY — FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026 – PFLAG NYC, the founding chapter of the national PFLAG movement, celebrated its 2026 Annual Gala Tuesday evening at Tribeca 360° in Manhattan, bringing together LGBTQ+ trailblazers, advocates and allies to champion visibility, storytelling and unconditional family acceptance.
Founded in 1973, PFLAG NYC advances the belief that LGBTQ+ people deserve their families’ love, understanding and support. The gala exceeded its fundraising goal, raising over $300,000 to fund free support groups, one-on-one family coaching, school-based education, educator training, community workshops, and advocacy.
The evening honored Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider, creator family Cyrus & Babak Veyssi, and bestselling author Casey McQuiston (Red, White & Royal Blue) for their contributions to LGBTQ+ culture, representation and community. Jackie Cox hosted, with performances by Broadway’s Jenn Colella, the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts Musical Theater Ensemble and Gotham Cheer, and music by DJ Mark Holcomb.
"Our Gala is proof that our community is standing strong, together, for LGBTQ+ youth and families right now,” said Clark Wolff Hamel, executive director of PFLAG NYC. “I can't begin to express how grateful I am that we have a night like this, where we get to see so many families celebrating together, proud PFLAG NYC parents, joyful queer and trans youth and adults, all in one room. It's an honor, truly, to do this work."
CELEBRATING THE PEOPLE AND STORIES MOVING CULTURE FORWARD
This year's honorees represent three distinct and powerful expressions of LGBTQ+ visibility, each demonstrating how authenticity and storytelling can help transform public understanding and create space for greater acceptance.
Amy Schneider received the Jeanne Manford Trailblazer Award, recognizing her impact as a writer, advocate and groundbreaking television personality. As the first openly transgender winner of the Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions, Schneider has become a prominent voice for transgender visibility and representation.
“PFLAG NYC is a living representation of the fact that there is no ‘Us’ and ‘Them,’ there is just ‘We,’ the people, and we all need to stand together,” said Amy Schneider.
Cyrus & Babak Veyssi received the Drew Tagliabue Stay Close Award, honoring their candid and often humorous portrayal of the relationship between an Iranian immigrant father and his queer, nonbinary child. Their storytelling has resonated with audiences by showing how family relationships can evolve through understanding, humor and unconditional love:
“My dad didn't have to be perfect or know everything. He just had to love me, stand beside me, and let me be myself. And that has made all the difference,” said Cyrus Veyssi, accepting the award alongside his father, Babak.
Casey McQuiston received the James Baldwin Cultural Impact Award in recognition of their contribution to LGBTQ+ storytelling. The bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue and other queer romantic comedies has helped bring LGBTQ+ characters, relationships and love stories to the forefront of contemporary popular culture.
“I think queer art is made up of billions of little, lovely acts that bring us each out of exile. Every piece of queer writing that showed me what was possible is a secret debt I can only try to repay by making my own,” said Casey McQuiston.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Official photography from the 2026 PFLAG NYC Annual Gala is available for editorial coverage, including red-carpet arrivals, honoree portraits, VIP moments and event atmosphere.
ARRIVALS + HONOREE PHOTOS – by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for PFLAG NYC
PROGRAM SELECTS - by Joseph O’Malley Arts:
ABOUT PFLAG NYC
PFLAG NYC is the founding chapter of PFLAG. Founded in 1973, the organization works with LGBTQ+ people, parents and allies to create a better future for LGBTQ+ youth and adults. Through support services, safe schools programming, community education and advocacy, PFLAG NYC advances understanding and acceptance throughout New York City and beyond.
For more information, visit pflagnyc.org.
