The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (PBCHRC) will hold its annual Winter Fête fundraising event this Saturday, Jan. 14, at the home of Wellington equestrian fixtures and successful businessmen, Mason Phelps and Ron Neal. The event is hoping to raise funds that will help the organization in their continued fight to stop discrimination toward individuals based solely on one’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

According to PBCHRC President and founder Rand Hoch, the hope is to not only get the word out about their cause but to also positively impact LGBT laws and policies by bringing awareness to the community’s biggest issues.

“For the past 29 years, we have worked to elect public officials who not only understand LGBT issues, but also who work to enact laws and policies to provide equal protections, rights and benefits for LGBT Floridians.” Hoch told SFGN.

The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council has a long history of raising awareness on certain issues for the betterment of the LGBT community, but this year the group has a particular issue at the forefront; banning the use of conversion therapy on minors.

“To date, PBCHRC have been responsible for the enactment of more than 110 local laws and policies benefiting our community -- that is more pro-LGBT laws and policies than in all of Florida's other 66 counties combined. This year, along with SAVE in Miami-Dade County, we are concentrating on banning the practice of conversion therapy on minors in Palm Beach County. We have been successful in our efforts in West Palm Beach, Lake Worth and in Boynton Beach, and this Spring, we will be working to see if we can enact a countywide ban on this abusive practice aimed at LGBT youth.”

As for what guests that attend the Winter Fête should expect, well, Hoch says the hosts are keeping that a surprise thus far, but it’s sure to be something grand.

“Mason and Ron are keeping the details of the Winter Fête pretty close to the vest, so even I am going to be surprised when I get there. Mason and Ron throw great parties, and they are going all out with this one. According to our treasurer, Dan Hall, we have just under 200 people who have purchased tickets. When I called to ask Mason whether we should stop selling tickets, his response was "Hell no! Keep raising money."

While details of the party are a tightly held secret, one minor detail was recently revealed.

“They did let it slip on Facebook that they are laying down a dance floor out by the pool, so that will be a first for our fundraising events.”

Individual tickets to the charitable event are available for $125 each. Proceeds for the event will go toward the PBCHRC fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Tickets to the Winter Fête event will get patrons access to the event that will include hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, entertainment and valet parking. Attire is Palm Beach chic. For more information, or to purchase tickets to the PBCHRC Winter Fête visit www.pbchrc.org/events.