The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Florida's oldest non-partisan LGBTQ+ advocacy group, hosted its annual Winter Fête fundraiser on Jan. 13. The fundraiser was held in the home of two PBCHRC donors in Boca Raton. The event boasted appearances by most of Palm Beach County’s elected officials and included a series of performances from a local troupe.

The organization hosts two fundraisers each year: The Winter Fête and the Summer Soirée. Each event is held in a beautiful location and gives attendees an opportunity to mingle with elected officials. This year’s event had notable appearances from Rep. Lois Frankel; Mayor Keith James of West Palm Beach; Mayor Ty Penserga from Boynton Beach; Mayor Betty Resch from Lake Worth Beach; Commissioner Gregg Weiss from the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, and other assorted city elected officials and government appointees.

The event also boasted a performance group. This group provided entertainment throughout the night with different performances. While one member was performing a dance with a flaming torch, others were greeting guests and taking photos in extravagant dresses reminiscent of beautiful birds. Till further, performers danced atop a ring, balancing and hanging with acrobatic precision.

PBCHRC was founded in 1988 with the goals of ending discrimination based on gender and sexuality. Since its inception, PBCHRC has been responsible for the implementation of pro-LGBTQ+ policies across the 39 cities in PBC, as well as the county overall. These include recognition of same-sex domestic partnership benefits, specific protections in local non-discrimination ordinances, and bands on harmful practices like conversion therapy for minors.

PBCHRC also provides endorsements in local elections, informing the community on which candidates will be better for the advancement of LGBTQ equity.