--- description: Dina Litovsky photographed the Gays for Trump event title: Inside Gays for Trump's Deploraball Dance Party image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc7cd08f749973f15/6988b6908e060175fe468e54/dsc3953.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [LightBox](/tag/time-section-lightbox/) ## LightBox Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Inside Gays for Trump's Deploraball Dance Party  by [Paul Moakley](/author/paul-moakley/)  ## Paul Moakley Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 21, 2017 3:55 PM CUT  Dancing at the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dancing at the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017.Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  by [Paul Moakley](/author/paul-moakley/)  ## Paul Moakley Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 21, 2017 3:55 PM CUT In the waning hours of Jan. 20, as Donald Trump and his wife Melania danced on a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s _My Way_ at the Freedom Ball, a different kind of celebration was taking place just a few miles away. In Potomac, Md., the members of Gays for [Trump](http://time.com/4641547/inauguration-2017-donald-trump-america-first/ "undefined") hosted their Inaugural Deploraball. The attendees – not all of them were gays – had traveled from all over the country, ready to stand up to the criticism they’ve received from more liberal members of the gay community. “Theres no such thing as a traditional Republican anymore,” said Gays for Trump’s president Peter Boykin, who was the host and master of ceremonies. “They try to throw Gays for Trump in the [Alt-Right](http://time.com/4569895/donald-trump-stephen-bannon-alt-right/ "undefined") \[category\] but I think we are the Alt-Alt-Right.” At the door to the event Keith McLeod from Georgia was wearing a mask of Pepe the Frog, the fictional character that’s become a popular symbol of defiance among some people who self identify as “Deplorable,” a term used by Hillary Clinton to criticize some of Trump’s supporters. McLeod, who made it clear that he wasn’t gay, had such a good time at the Gays for Trump event at the last RNC that he decided to join them again last night. “I’m so fed up with liberals you have no idea,” he told TIME. “I’m so glad they took a hit today. No one respects us anymore. Trump will make them respect us again.” Andy Barr, another man who identified as a gay ally from Seattle and who donned a gold Lamé suit, met most of the people attending the event through Twitter. When asked about Vice President Mike Pence’s history on speaking out [against](http://time.com/4406337/mike-pence-gay-rights-lgbt-religious-freedom/ "undefined") gay marriage his response echoed a sentiment that many of the attendees throughout the night repeated: “He will not be the executive. Let’s give Mr. Pence the benefit of the doubt. We saw Mr. Trump holding the LGBT flag. Let’s see how it goes in the future.” Boykin agreed. “People can grow,” he said, before adding that he had already registered the “Gays for Pence” trademark. For the master of ceremonies, the priority today is “to fight against the notion of the LGBT liberal.” During a late-night speech, he pushed his point. “I want to balance the LGBT community, not try to destroy the liberal LGBT community,” he said. “We need everybody out there together but we have to have a seat at the table.” **_Dina Litovsky_** _is a freelance photographer based in New York. Follow her on_ [_Instagram_](https://www.instagram.com/dina%5Flitovsky "undefined") _at @dina\_litovsky._ **_Paul Moakley_**_, who edited this photo essay, is TIME’s deputy director of photography and visual enterprise._  Keith McLeod, from Georgia attends the Gays for Trump, Inaugural Deploraball at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Table settings at the Gays for Trump hosted the Inaugural Deploraball at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Gays for Trump hosted the Inaugural Deploraball at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Gays for Trump hosted the Inaugural Deploraball at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Gays for Trump President Peter Boykin (right) and his husband hosted the Inaugural Deploraball at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  A Trump impersonator performing at the Gays for Trump Inaugural Deploraball at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Attendees enjoying the entertainment at the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Sista Otis performs at the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Scenes from the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Scenes from the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Andy Barr, from Seattle at the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Scenes from the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Scenes from the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Scenes from the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  The bar scene at the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Dancing at the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Robert Luke Antonek at the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. Dina Litovsky—Redux for TIME  Dancing at the Inaugural Deploraball hosted by Gays for Trump at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland on January 20, 2017. 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