Examples include Cynthia Nixon, Dr. Eric Cervini, Niecy Nash, Matt Bomer, Gus Kenworthy, Ryan O'Connell, Billy Porter, Debra Messing, Connie Britton, Goldie Hawn, Megan Mullally, Geena Davis, Sharon Stone, Martin Sheen and Lily Tomlin.

The Black Tie Dinner event was originally organized solely to support the Human Right Campaign Foundation (HRCF) that later became HRC, and was run for that purpose for a number of years.

[3] "Black Tie Dinner raises funds and provides resources for LGBTQ+ supportive organizations through premier events in partnership with the community.

Education: Advance acceptance by offering a platform to learn about the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals Empowerment: Improve the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals by providing resources for North Texas and national supportive organizations Entertainment: Recognize and celebrate LGBTQ+ individuals and culture through engaging In early 1982, the newly formed Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF), which became the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) under the leadership of Executive Director Elizabeth Birch in the late 1990s, designated one of its leaders, Jim Foster, to make contact with the gay communities of several larger cities to test their interest in holding a formal fund-raising dinner to support HRCF.

Thomas agreed to meet with Foster if he would come to Dallas, and to pull in a couple of friends who had broader connections with the gay community there, Ray Kuchling and Mike Anglin.

He called his friend Dick Weaver, who immediately agreed to host a larger gathering of potential volunteers for the effort at his apartment the following evening (March 19, 1982).

Beneficiaries are selected based on the quality and impact of service they provide to the North Texas LGBTQ community, as well their financial health and overall stability.

The beneficiaries selected for 2023 are:[1] Each year, Black Tie Dinner recognizes several individuals and/or organizations that have made a "significant contribution to the continued fight for LGBTQ equality".

Recent dinners have included such entertainers as Deborah Cox, Kim Petras, Todrick Hall, Patti LaBelle, Dana Goldberg, Mickey Guyton, Leslie Jordan, Caroline Rhea, Robert Gant, Peter Paige, Sharon Gless, Neil Meron, Craig Zadan, Leisha Hailey, Pam Grier, Beth Grant and Ross Mathews.