What do a flamethrower, an aerialist on stilts, and $90,000 have in common?
They all came together for the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council’s 2025 Winter Fête, held at a private lakeside estate in Boca Raton’s Le Lac. In this neighborhood, exclusivity isn’t a buzzword, it’s a lifestyle.
More than 200 attendees donned their Palm Beach casual best (think crisp linens and shoes you can wear on grass) on Jan. 11 for an evening that felt like the Met Gala’s laid-back Florida Cousin.
The event was hosted by Melissa and Sarah Hassan, who graciously opened their home. There were sushi boats, an open bar, and an exceptional level of hospitality.
The entertainment was as over-the-top as you’d hope for from a fête with aerialists greeting guests at the door. Acrobats, ballerinas, and a flamethrower performed by the water, leaving attendees sipping champagne and wondering if they’d accidentally wandered into an episode of “The White Lotus.”
“It was a pleasant distraction,” PBCHRC President and Founder Rand Hoch said, referring to the night’s celebratory atmosphere despite the ever-growing challenges facing LGBTQ Floridians.
And what a distraction it was — proof that activism can pair nicely with an open bar.
Proceeds from the night supported PBCHRC’s scholarship initiatives, including programs for LGBTQ high school seniors and a new STEM-focused scholarship in development honoring the late Charlie Fredrickson, an engineer and amateur astronomer — most known for being a true social butterfly and promoting all things LGBTQ in Palm Beach County.
“Our 2025 Winter Fête was our most successful fundraising event since our organization was founded in 1988,” said Hoch.
But let’s not forget the pièce de résistance: PBCHRC’s “fuck you fund.” As Hoch puts it, this reserve allows the organization to creatively respond to anti-LGBTQ challenges as they arise. While he noted that nothing locally has “risen to that level yet,” the fund’s existence seemed a quiet nod to the unpredictable political climate.
The party wasn’t just about money or sushi boats, though. It was about community, a chance to exhale, regroup, and revel in solidarity. As the night came to a close, attendees left with more than full glasses and full hearts. They left knowing they were part of something bigger, a movement determined to outlast the laws and pushback against LGBTQ rights.
PBCHRC’s Winter fête reminded everyone that activism can come with hors d’oeuvres and a side of spectacle. And while Boca’s Le Lac was the perfect backdrop, the real magic came from the people and their commitment to equality.
Same time next year?
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