A night celebrating LGBTQ+ women brought Sue Bird, Megan Baier and community leaders together at New York’s Ziegfeld Ballroom. The Center’s 2026 Women’s Event combined recognition, conversation and fundraising, with an award for Baier and a wider reminder of the work that keeps affirming spaces open.
Essential Takeaways
- A community celebration: The Center’s Women’s Event took place on 6 November at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York.
- A high-profile honour: Sue Bird presented the Visibility Award to Megan Baier, chief executive of Wilson Sonsini.
- More than a gala: The annual event raises funds for The Center’s programmes and services.
- A personal note: Baier spoke about coming out to her parents and navigating conversations about her sexuality at work.
A celebration with a purpose
There was plenty of sparkle at The Center’s Women’s Event, but its purpose reached beyond a dressed-up evening. The annual gathering celebrates lesbian, queer and trans women while raising funds for The Center’s programmes and services, according to the organisation’s event page.
Held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York on 6 November, the event brought together community members and supporters. The Center says the occasion helps sustain its services and maintain a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.
Sue Bird presents Megan Baier’s award
The evening’s headline moment came when WNBA legend Sue Bird presented the Visibility Award to Megan Baier, chief executive of Wilson Sonsini. The law firm had announced Baier as an honouree ahead of the event, while The Center’s event listing named her among its featured guests.
Bird introduced Baier by recognising both her legal career and her commitment to family, friends and community. For all the prestige of a corporate title, that balance gave the moment a warmer, more personal edge.
Baier spoke about the journey behind the achievement
In her acceptance speech, Baier reflected on telling her parents about her now-wife, Liz, and on navigating uncomfortable conversations about her sexuality in corporate settings. Her remarks brought the evening’s broad theme down to the small, often difficult moments that shape a person’s path.
She also emphasised the importance of celebrating women and their achievements, particularly in a challenging political and social climate. It’s a reminder that visibility isn’t only about being seen on a stage; it can also mean feeling able to speak honestly in everyday life.
A longer history of community support
The Center’s Women’s Event is also part of a wider story of LGBTQ+ community-building in New York. The organisation says it was established in 1983 during the AIDS crisis to provide a safe and affirming place for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.
At the gala, The Center’s chief executive, Dr Carla Smith, spoke about lesbian and sapphic women’s contributions to the broader LGBTQ+ movement, including their support for gay men during the HIV crisis. That history gives the night’s celebration an added layer: recognition can honour the people who built community, as well as those carrying it forward.
Fundraising, connection and what comes next
The event paired its programme with a silent auction, with proceeds supporting The Center’s ongoing work. The organisation describes the gathering as both a celebration of LGBTQ+ women and a fundraiser for its services, so the evening’s social side and practical purpose sit close together.
That combination makes the annual gala more than a calendar highlight. It offers a chance to recognise achievements, meet in person and help sustain services between big nights out. And when community stories are part of the evening, the celebration feels connected to something larger than the room.
A toast to the women building community, and the spaces that bring them together.
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