Celebration on the Lake Church holds its annual Red Tie Gala on Feb. 15. CAROLINE SAVOIE | East Texas Writercarolinelsavoie@gmail.com CEDAR CREEK LAKE — Red Tie Gala, an annual Valentine’s-themed LGBTQ fundraiser, is now in its fifth year as a public event.
And its organizers at Celebration on the Lake United Church of Christ are gearing up for a night of celebration to raise money for local organizations.
The event will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, at the CR Legacy Event Center in Gun Barrel City.Muddy Moxley, outreach chair at the church and longtime organizer of the event, said a church youth group inspired the gala when they approached Moxley and said they wanted to do something special for the LGBTQ folks in the congregation.
Moxley said it was such a success that she helped open the gala to the public in hopes of involving more of the community. “We’re a small church, but we’re open about being an LGBTQ church, and I’ve seen a good response,” said Moxley, 78, who has lived on Cedar Creek Lake for 25 years. “People loved the experience, and it allowed them to see our involvement in the community.” Moxley, who has chaired the gala for five years, is stepping down this year and passing the role to Bradley Scott, the chairman of the board at the church.