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- Showcase event at Allendale Social highlights active allyship
- Who showed up: celebrities, creators and community leaders
- Family Equality at the center: mission and personal reflections
- Performances, cuisine and colorful details
- How funds and visibility will be used
- Moments that mattered and the atmosphere on the scene
Margaret Josephs turned a New Jersey night into a glittering show of support for LGBTQIA+ families, hosting a star-studded Pride soirée that mixed celebrity flair, heartfelt advocacy and fundraising for Family Equality. The event at Allendale Social drew allies and queer families alike for an evening of performances, speeches and tangible commitments to family rights.
Showcase event at Allendale Social highlights active allyship
Josephs framed the evening around intentional support. She told guests that allyship requires action, not just words. Standing with families during hard moments was presented as the core message of the night.
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The party was produced in partnership with Jaimee and Lisa Rizzo of Taylor Lucyk Group and Soirée, and Soirée co-founder Lexi Barbuto. Together they shaped an event that balanced glamour with purpose.
Who showed up: celebrities, creators and community leaders
The guest list mixed reality TV stars with nonprofit leaders and creative professionals. Familiar faces mingled with families and local supporters.
- Meghan King (Real Housewives of Orange County alum)
- Kim DePaola (RHONJ alum and podcast host)
- Joe Benigno, Josephs’ husband
- Judith Turner, bestselling author and psychic
- Jennifer DiLandro of the “Cats & Pudding” podcast
- Celebrity stylists Rosario Cannata and Jamal Tadros
- Danny Murphy from “Virtual Reali-Tea” with partner Kevin O’Hora
Family Equality at the center: mission and personal reflections
Darra Gordon, CEO of Family Equality, delivered an emotional address. She spoke about visibility, belonging and the difference events like this make.
Attendees reported that Gordon called the Allendale gathering one of her favorite Pride celebrations. She reflected on how meaningful such visibility would have felt during her own childhood in New Jersey.
Emily Jones attended on behalf of Family Equality, helping represent the nonprofit’s programs and priorities throughout the evening.
Performances, cuisine and colorful details
Drag artist The Spectra Electra energized the crowd with a high-energy set, bringing theatricality and crowd-pleasing moments to the night. Joy and spectacle were woven into the program to celebrate Pride culture.
- Live drag performance set to pop music
- Rainbow-themed desserts by The Royal Sweet Fairy
- Celebrity glam team circulating through guests
The Royal Sweet Fairy’s colorful treats added a playful note. The bakery is known for serving stars and reality TV talent alike.
Meaningful gifts: health data for families
Sponsor TruGenetics contributed a DNA health testing package to Family Equality. The nonprofit plans to share the package with a family who could benefit from access to biological health information.
This gift was noted as particularly important for families formed through adoption, foster care, donor conception or surrogacy.
How funds and visibility will be used
Money raised that night supports advocacy, education and legal protections for LGBTQIA+ families. Family Equality focuses on:
- Parentage and adoption protections
- Resources for family building and fertility care
- Support for foster youth and adoptive families
- School inclusion and reproductive rights
Organizers emphasized that fundraising and awareness go hand in hand. Visibility fuels policy and practical support for parents and children across diverse family forms.
Moments that mattered and the atmosphere on the scene
Guests described a warm, celebratory vibe full of laughter, embraces and toasts. Josephs’ mother raised a glass featuring one of the event’s signature mocktails.
The mix of entertainment, high-profile attendees and nonprofit leaders created an intimate but lively charity night that centered families and forward-looking advocacy.
