WASHINGTON — This Saturday, May 11, 2019, the American Military Partner Association (AMPA) — the nation’s largest organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) military families — will hold the 6th Annual AMPA National Gala, presented by Comcast NBCUniversal and USAA, at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC. Speakers and special guests will include the 75th U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, the 22nd U.S. Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning, CBS’ hit series SEAL Team actress Toni Trucks, elected and government officials and numerous other special guests.

Taking place only one month after the Trump-Pence administration’s transgender military ban took effect, the event comes at a challenging moment for the LGBTQ military community. The ban will impact thousands of active duty transgender service members and qualified recruits who want to serve. More than 500 LGBTQ service members, veterans, military spouses and allies will gather at the event in a show of solidarity.

The 2019 AMPA National Gala will take place at Capital Hilton, 1001 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. and is presented by Comcast NBCUniversal and USAA.

Participating will be:

Ray Mabus, 75th U.S. Secretary of the Navy

Eric Fanning, 22nd U.S. Secretary of the Army

Toni Trucks, star of CBS’ hit series SEAL Team

Carol Eggert, Comcast NBCUniversal, Senior Vice President of Military & Veteran Affairs

Tony Bishop, USAA, Assistant Vice President for Strategy and Planning

Andrea Richardson, Hilton, Director of Multicultural & Diversity Relations

Ashley Broadway-Mack, AMPA, President

Hundreds of LGBTQ service members, military spouses, veterans and allies

From a AMPA press release

The American Military Partner Association (AMPA) is the nation’s largest organization of LGBTQ military spouses, their families, and allies. A non-profit organization with more than 50,000 members and supporters, AMPA is committed to education, advocacy, and support for “modern military families.” For more information, visit http://www.MilitaryPartners.org.