Mercer County's 2026 Equality Gala Set For June 20 At TCNJ

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Mercer County will host its 2026 Equality Gala on June 20 at the Brower Student Center at The College of New Jersey, County Executive Dan Benson said.

The event, themed "Liberty & Pride: Toward a More Perfect Union," will be held by the county's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs and is timed to coincide with the nation's approaching 250th anniversary.

"Liberty & Pride is more than a celebration — it is a reflection of our shared journey as a community and as a country," Benson said. "The voices and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community remain vital to the promise of a more perfect union."

Two honorees will be recognized at the gala. Trenton North Ward Councilwoman Jennifer Williams will receive the 2026 LGBTQIA+ Leader of the Year Award. Stephen Chukumba, featured in the Netflix documentary "The Dads," will receive the 2026 LGBTQIA+ Ally of the Year Award.

The evening will feature a red-carpet experience and will be emceed by Miss Stonewall 2019 Cissy Walken and co-hosted by Lady Celestina.

The Mercer County Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs was established in 2024 to help community members navigate government programs, access services, and understand their legal rights.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at https://tinyurl.com/2026EqualityGala. For more information, contact the office at LGBTQIA@mercercounty.org.

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