BROADWAY AND RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE SUPERSTAR PEPPERMINT TO HOST 2019 GLAAD GALA SAN FRANCISCO

Mathew Lasky
Director of Communications, GLAAD
mlasky@glaad.org

The 2019 GLAAD Gala San Francisco to take place at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco on September 28th

San Francisco, CA, Monday, August 5, 2019 – GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, announced today that RuPaul’s Drag Race alum and Broadway star Peppermint will host the 2019 GLAAD Gala San Francisco on September 28th. The GLAAD Gala San Francisco celebrates and features storytellers and tech innovators who accelerate LGBTQ acceptance and helps fund GLAAD’s digital advocacy work to grow LGBTQ inclusion in digital and social media. 

“I’m truly honored to be hosting the GLAAD Gala San Francisco,” said Peppermint. “The work they do is so important, and goes hand in hand with artists like myself who are pushing against the barriers of media visibility. Together we are going to have a fun night!”

Peppermint is an actress, singer, activist and reality star who breaks barriers. Recognized for many years as a staple of New York City queer nightlife, Peppermint’s star rose thanks to her smashing success as the first out trans contestant to enter RuPaul’s Drag Race, where she finished runner-up in one of the series’ most-talked-about finales. Soon after, her talent led her to become the first trans woman to originate a principal role on Broadway in the hit musical Head Over Heels. Having just ended her long Broadway run, Peppermint is now busy acting on TV series like Pose and the new Fox scripted upcoming drama Deputy. 

As an activist, Peppermint has raised six-figure sums for prominent LGBTQ rights groups, partnered with the MAC Cosmetics AIDS Fund and is involved in the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. She is particularly concerned about the challenges faced by transgender and non-binary people in today’s political climate and takes every available opportunity to speak at universities and to various communities on the issue.

“Since appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Peppermint has been such a trailblazer for the trans community in the entertainment industry,” said Anthony Ramos, Director of Talent Engagement at GLAAD. “Not only has she made major waves on Broadway and television, but she continues to use her platform to bring awareness to LGBTQ issues and increase visibility for the community. We are so thrilled to have her host the 2019 GLAAD San Francisco Gala and help us honor other trailblazers who have expanded LGBTQ inclusion in media.” 

At the 2018 GLAAD Gala San Francisco, actor and activist Alyssa Milano was honored with the inaugural Ariadne Getty Ally Award. RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Ross Mathews was also honored with Davidson/Valentini Award, while journalist Emil Wilbekin received the Ric Weiland Award. Actor and comedian Leslie Jordan hosted the event, which featured actors Mj Rodriguez and Josie Totah, television personality Michelle Visage, and a performance from transgender pop star Kim Petras. 

Other past honorees at the GLAAD Gala San Francisco include Don Lemon, Tyler Oakley, Hannah Hart, Sam Altman, Marc Benioff, and Megan Smith. 

The 2019 GLAAD Gala San Francisco will take place at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco on September 28th. For more information on the event, including how to purchase tickets, visit /events/2019-san-francisco-gala. 

The 2019 GLAAD Gala San Francisco is presented by Gilead, Ketel One Family-Made Vodka & Wells Fargo, with official partner Google.