{"id":219354,"date":"2026-05-04T15:49:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T15:49:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/219354\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T15:49:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T15:49:40","slug":"brooklyns-debt-gala-blends-runway-and-resistance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/219354\/","title":{"rendered":"Brooklyn\u2019s Debt Gala Blends Runway And Resistance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Back for its fourth year, the alternative to the Met Gala blends fashion, activism, and fundraising to eliminate medical debt and uplift Black trans communities.<\/p>\n

As millions of Americans lose health coverage this year, New Yorkers\u00a0on Sunday gathered\u00a0in Williamsburg for the Debt Gala<\/a>, an evening that flips the exclusive Met Gala\u00a0into a lifeline for those crushed by medical bills.<\/p>\n

In its first three years, proceeds from the Debt Gala has helped eliminate more than $4 million in medical debt for families across the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery year, the Debt Gala creates community, raises money, uplifts designers, and turns the most incredible looks in New York City,\u201d Debt Gala Co-Founder Molly Gaebe said in a statement. \u201cThis year\u2019s theme \u2018Body of Werrrk\u2019 puts a spotlight on the literal bodies that America\u2019s healthcare system leaves behind. This year, we\u2019re celebrating bodies and the work they do while calling out the system that profits off their suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"person-with-green-wig-and-colorful-wheel-of-fortune-on-stage\"
\n. Photo: Howard Weiss for BK Reader <\/p>\n

Proceeds from 2026 will be divided between Undue Medical Debt<\/a>, a national nonprofit that buys and eliminates medical debt for those most financially and emotionally burdened, and Point of Pride<\/a>, a trans-led organization providing life-saving gender-affirming healthcare support.<\/p>\n

\"two-individuals-with-a-medical-invoice-and-money-bouquet-before-a-red-sequin-background\"
\n. Photo: Howard Weiss for BK Reader <\/p>\n

\u201cAs a freelancer, in the few years of the Debt Gala I have moved from health insurance through work to Medicaid to now paying on the exchange,\u201d said\u00a0Debt Gala Co-Founder and Executive Producer Tom Costello. \u201cI am tired of seeing people in my life go through this same negotiation between affording the essentials of medical care and the basic needs of everyday life in New York City. It should not have to be this way\u2013the wonders of medicine were not invented to be a comfort available only for the chosen few.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"group-of-people-in-costumes-outdoors\"
\n. Photo: Howard Weiss for BK Reader<\/p>\n

Performers at the event included:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Host: Brita Filter (RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race, @thebritafilter<\/a>)

\nMusic: L Train Brass Band

\nComedy:\u00a0Jake Cornell (The World of Wonder Show at Club Cumming, @jakewcornell<\/a>)

\nKenice Mobley (The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, @kenicemobley<\/a>)

\nMolly Gaebe (Late Night with Seth Myers, @MollyGaebe<\/a>)

\nDrag Performance: Sweaty Eddie (@sweatyeddy.tv<\/a>)

\nRed Carpet Correspondent: Cassie Willson (Emojiland, @cassiewillson_<\/a>)

\nDJ Set: ivaindistress (@ivaindistress<\/a>)

\n\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"performer-on-stage-with-heart-mirror\"
\n. Photo: Howard Weiss for BK Reader <\/p>\n

\"people-in-colorful-elaborate-attire-at-an-event\"
\n. Photo: Howard Weiss for BK Reader <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n