About Us
Who is The Pride Ball
The Pride Ball is a formal gala created to honor and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community through fashion, music, and cultural expression. Inspired by the legacy of the 1969 Stonewall Riots—a defining moment in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement—The Pride Ball serves as a space to celebrate identity, reflect on progress, and amplify the voices leadin
The Pride Ball is a formal gala created to honor and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community through fashion, music, and cultural expression. Inspired by the legacy of the 1969 Stonewall Riots—a defining moment in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement—The Pride Ball serves as a space to celebrate identity, reflect on progress, and amplify the voices leading the push for inclusion, particularly transgender and non-binary individuals. Held annually in December, the event features runway presentations, live performances, and an awards ceremony, in partnership with Life Is Work, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering gender-diverse communities through housing, healthcare, and career resources.
Founded by Tony Long, CEO of FashionBar Chicago, The Pride Ball is both a celebration and a call to action. With a background in fashion business and a passion for equity, Tony launched this initiative to create space where fashion meets purpose—bringing together designers, artists, and advocates in a shared mission to foster visibility, dignity, and lasting change.
Tony Long
CEO of FashionBar LLC is a Chicago resident focused on a mission to help identify Chicago as a fashion destination.