2025 HRC WCNY Dinner Program Book

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Alan E. Curle, MD & Andrew S. London, PhD Avenue Pub/Bachelor

Barilla America

Trillium Health

Turning Stone Resort & Casino

as of 5/16/25

BRANDON WOLF

HRC SPEAKER

Brandon Wolf is a nationally recognized advocate for LGBTQ+ civil rights and gun safety and a survivor of the 2016 shooting at Orlando’s Pulse Nightclub. He is a frequent face on MSNBC and CNN, and an opinion contributor in Oprah Daily, Newsweek, USA Today, and others. Brandon has graced the cover of Dazed Magazine and LGBTQ publications nationwide, having been named one of the Logo TV’s 30 LGBTQ Changemakers, Huffington Post’s 30 LGBTQ Influencers under 30 and Out Magazine’s 100 Most Influential LGBTQ People.

He was a national surrogate for Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Presidential Campaign and an advisory committee member for President Biden’s General Election bid. In 2019, he became the first survivor of the Pulse tragedy to testify before Congress and was returned in 2022 to testify on the rise of anti-LGBTQ hate violence before the House Oversight Committee. Brandon is a co-founder of The Dru Project, a nonprofit organization that empowers safe spaces in schools for LGBTQ youth, and currently serves as National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign.

His debut memoir, “A Place for Us”, was released in July 2023 and became an instant bestseller.

photos by Rachael Jones (www.rachaelajones.com)

Along life’s journey, let’s travel together.

American Airlines is a longstanding partner of the Human Rights Campaign.

American is a proud advocate for LGBTQ rights in Washington DC and beyond.

Google is proud to support the Human Rights Campaign in a shared pursuit of building a world where everyone belongs.

Lyft supports safer spaces, and all the humans who inhabit them.

That’s

PERFORMERS

Drag performances by Carmen Adore, Samantha Vega, Ambrosia Salad, Aggie Dune, Tayler Mayde and King Bey.

We believe that embracing inclusivity and authenticity changes the narrative for everyone.

That's why we've been proudly supporting the Human Rights Campaign since 2009.

macysinc.com/purpose

Monroe County, New York

May 17, 2025

Dear Human Rights Campaign Friends and Family:

I am delighted to welcome you to Monroe County for the 6th Annual Human Rights Campaign of Western and Central New York Dinner.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has worked tirelessly for a more affirming, inclusive and equitable community Here in Monroe County, we are home to a thriving community of LGBTQIA+ residents with a remarkable history of speaking up for what’s right , which includes change makers like Assemblymember Harry Bronson. The HRC’s support of candidates and policies in our local elections has helped advance equality in our community and made Monroe County a more welcoming place to live Your support and advocacy of Prop 1, the New York Equal Rights Amendment, will ensure residents throughout New York benefit from these reforms. I will continue to show my support for initiatives and policy that will help the LGBTQIA+ community in Monroe County.

Now more than ever, it is critically important that those of us in local government make our support of the LGBTQIA+ community heard and felt. With the increased number of assaults on LGBTQIA+ people, we must remain vigilant in keeping Monroe County a safe place for all of our residents, regardless of gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation Rather than stoking fear, we must value and celebrate what LGBTQIA+ citizens bring to our community. That’s why Monroe County flies the Pride flag every year, financially supports both the Rochester Pride Parade and Festival and the ImageOUT Film Festival, and provides benefits to our employees and their spouses and partners without regard to sexual or gender orientation.

I am proud to join you tonight as we celebrate the work of the HRC of Western and Central New York. Thank you for all you do to help break down the barriers that divide us and make our region a model for equity and inclusion.

Sincerely,

The most impactful way to support H RC is through a monthly gift, because you will help fuel HRC’s fight for FULL equality all year long.

Your ongoing monthly support will provide critical resources to fight back against anti-LG BTQ+ bills, expand and protect our pro-equality Congress, invest more deeply in our grassroots efforts with strategic organizing in key districts, keep pressure to pass the Equality Act in Congress and continue to show up and fight for the multiply marginalized in our community and country.

Thank you for supporting H RC and for staying with us in the fight. Together, we are an unstoppable force for change!

pfizer.com/about/responsibility/human-rights

Transgender and non-binary people are your neighbors, co-workers, family members and friends. And when you or your friends and family are the targets of hate, violence and discrimination, you act.

The Human Rights Campaign is actively working to advocate for the rights and lives of the transgender and non-binary community–but we all must do more–can we count you in?

As LGBTQ+ people and allies, we have a responsibility to fight for EVERYONE in our movement. Now is the time to get loud, get visible, and spread awareness on behalf of transgender and non-binary people. So please take the actions below–but don’t stop there.

The more people who show they care, including allies and trans and non-binary people who speak up for the most marginalized in our community, the more hearts and minds we will change.

Sign the Pledge and Impact Change

The first step in voicing your support for the trans and non-binary community is to sign your name to the Count Me In pledge. By taking this action, you’re sending a message that you vow to go out of your way to raise awareness and uplift the lives of our trans and non-binary friends and family.

Provide Inclusive Books to an At-Need Library

Your contribution will provide a set of three books to a Title 1 school or community library serving multiply marginalized populations across the country.

Contact State Legislators

State legislatures are attacking LGBTQ+ folks, particularly trans people, left and right. Show antiequality legislators that we won’t tolerate any more bullying and discrimination.

Request and Show Off Your Sticker

Display your special edition HRC sticker on your car, laptop, water bottle — no matter where you put it, you’ll be saying you support our trans community.

Spread the Word On Social Media

Post these image shares on your social media channels and update your profile photos and let your networks know you believe in a more just and equitable world for trans folks — full stop.

Share a Voice Message of Support

State legislatures are targeting trans kids. Text HEART to 472-472 to share a public message of support for trans youth and show you’re fighting for them.

(Msg&dataratesmayapply. Recurring msgs. TxtSTOP2quit. HELP4info.)

Let Kids Play

Rebekah is a 14-year-old girl who loves school, reading, hanging out with her friends and playing field hockey. But lawmakers across the country are trying to pass laws that would prohibit Rebekah from playing sports with other girls.

Wear Your Support

From T-shirts to pins to socks to masks, you can show off your support for trans equality no matter where you are, who you’re with or what you’re doing.

Transgender Justice eNewsletter

Stay up to date on our Transgender Justice Initiative and what we’re doing to dismantle stigma and end the epidemic of violence against trans and gender non-conforming people.

Count Me In
Speak Out
Request A Sticker
Donate Now
Meet Rebekah

TRANSGENDER INCLUSION

IN THE WORKPLACE

OF THOSE RATED ON HRC FOUNDATION’S

99%

49% of CEI-rated employers allow employees the option to selfidentify as LGBTQ+ in anonymous employee engagement surveys or as part of data collection on confidential employee forms or in the HRIS system.

94 %

2021 CEI… major employers have adopted workplace gender transition guidelines.

87% of CEI-rated employers explicitly include gender identity as a part of their non-discrimination policy.

OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES have non-discrimination protections that include gender identity, UP FROM 3% IN 2002.

Over its 19-year history, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index has been the driving force for the adoption of equitable workplace policies, practices and benefits for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in the United States and beyond. Participating companies know that building an LGBTQ+-inclusive workplace is not just the right thing to do, it is also the best business decision and allows companies to attract, retain and engage top talent. Their commitment to building inclusion has only strengthened over the past year, with a re

of c

91%

of all CEI-rated businesses offer transgenderinclusive health insurance coverage, up from 0 in 2002 and 22 times as many businesses as 12 years ago.

600+ of all CEI-rated businesses offer transgender-inclusive health insurance coverage while also eliminating blanket exclusions for medically necessary care in all other employer-sponsored plans.

GIVE THE GIFT OF EQUALITY

This year, celebrate your loved ones, holidays or other special occasions by giving the gift of equality! Gift a membership to the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, host a fundraiser to benefit our work, sign up for our wedding registry or donate in someone’s memory! Each donation includes an HRC membership and furthers the fight for full LGBTQ+ equality.

GIVE A MEMBERSHIP GOAL HRC MEMBER

HOST A FUNDRAISER FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY, GRADUATION, PRIDE OR MO RE .. .

DONATE YOUR WEDDING REGISTRY

GIV E TH E GIF

FLY A FLAG

FOR HOLIDAYS & SPECIAL OCCASIO NS

DONATE IN HONOR OR ME MO RY O F SOMEONE

Celebrating a special occasion and looking to further LGBTQ+ equality? Join our over 3 million supporters today by giving the gift of membership, hosting a fundraiser, donating your wedding registry to HRC and more!

ACLU

ADM

ADOBE

AIRBNB

AIRBUS

ALBERTSONS

AMAZON

ANONYMOUS

ASSURANT

BAKER HUGES

BANK OF AMERICA

BLACK TIE DINNER, INC

BRIGHTHOUSE FINANCIALS

CARMAX

CENTENE

CISCO SYSTEMS, INC

COCA-COLA FOUNDATION, THE COMIC RELIEF

COLLINGWOOD FOUNDATION

CVS HEALTH

DANAHER FOUNDATION

DAVID BOHNETT FOUNDATION

ENOVA INTERNATIONAL

EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY

FORTIVE FOUNDATION

FRED SAYS

GILEAD SCIENCES, INC.

GOOGLE

JPMORGAN CHASE

KORS LE PERE FOUNDATION, THE KROLL

LEGO

LEVI STRAUSS & CO.

LYFT, INC

MARSH & MCLENNAN AGENCY

MCDONALDS

MORNINGSTAR FOUNDATION, THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

NESTLE

NIKE

PEPSICO FOUNDATION, THE PFIZER

PhRMA

PRETIUM

PRONOUN

PwC

RESET TECH

RTX

S&P GLOBAL

SEMPRA

SPRINGPOINT

PARTNERS

TJX COMPANIES

THE HOME DEPOT

T-MOBILE

TOYOTA

UNITED AIRLINES

UPS FOUNDATION

US BANK

USAA

VANGUARD

VERIZON

VIIV HEALTHCARE

WALT DISNEY COMPANY

WELLS FARGO

WELLSPRING

WORKDAY FOUNDATION

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation works to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to care for their families, earn a living and live open, honest and safe lives at home, at work and in the community. The HRC Foundation is a non-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

LOVE OUT LOUD

FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS

MGM Resorts International has a longstanding commitment of supporting the LBGTQ+ community. Through Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts in our workplace, policies and operations, MGM Resorts is proud to be the first in the gaming and hospitality industry to offer same-sex health benefits and has expanded supplier relationships to include LGBTQ+-owned businesses. From the casino floor to corporate headquarters, MGM Resorts strives to stand out as one of the leading companies for workplace equality and has pledged a corporate responsibility to providing resources for EVERYONE to live and thrive as their authentic selves. MGM Resorts proudly supports the Human Rights Campaign.

WHAT WE DO

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer equality. Since 1980, we have been fighting for a better future for LGBTQ+ Americans. We are now working tirelessly to pass the Equality Act, which will soon head to the U.S. Senate for consideration, fight back against a multitude of anti-LGBTQ+ legis-lation in states nationwide and ensure everyone in our community is treated with dignity and respect. While our opponents are emboldened and on the attack, the Human Rights Campaign and our grass-roots army of more than 3.2 million members and supporters are energetically defending the rights we’ve gained and ramping up our fight for full equality across the board.

ANTI-EQUALITY LEADERS AND LEGISLATION

The alarming spate of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced across the country in 2020 has continued to surge in 2021. These include bills that would prohibit transgender youth from receiving genderaffirming care and bills that would prohibit transgender youth from participating in sports. This wave of anti-transgender legislation harkens back to the surge of anti-transgender bathroom bills that hit state legislatures in 2016, including North Carolina’s HB2. We remain committed to aggressively fighting these threats to equality by those who seek to undermine our rights. HRC will do whatever it takes to protect the rights and fundamental equality of every LGBTQ+ person in this country.

B U IL DING A ND DEM ONS TR AT ING POLITICAL P OWER

HRC’s decades-long work to build political power has uniquely positioned us to reach LGBTQ+ and ally voters who prioritize equality on the ballot, also known as Equality Voters. HRC has identified 57 million Equality Voters nationwide who, if they turn out to vote, will support pro-equality candidates. HRC’s early and sustained year-round engagement in battleground states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin bolstered historic turnout in 2018 and 2020 producing pro-equality outcomes at every level of government. In 2019, HRC’s mobilization of Equality Voters in Virginia, where lawmakers had repeatedly blocked proequality bills over many years, produced groundbreaking progress for LGBTQ+ Americans in the South. These victories led to the Virginia Values Act becoming law, making Virginia the first state in the South to advance statewide nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people.

ADVANCING EQUALITY IN OUR DAILY LIVES

The HRC Foundation improves the lives LGBTQ+ people by building understanding and shaping the public debate of LGBTQ+ people and the challenges they face through innovative research and public education campaigns. We also change the policies and practices in the institutions that shape our everyday lives (hospitals, schools, workplaces, and more) and empower strategic partners, community advocates, and allies through convenings and capacity-building. Guided by these theories of change and seeking to prioritize work impacting those who are multiply marginalized, we have 11 cuttingedge programs advancing equality in the U.S. and beyond.

All Children - All Families is the only national program dedicated to LGBTQ+ inclusion in child welfare (foster care and adoption agencies) that provides resource development, technical assistance and training.

Public Education & Research produces written resources and conducts original quantitative and qualitative research exploring the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people.

Global Partnerships provides capacity-building and leadership development opportunities to LGBTQ+ advocates from around the world to strengthen movements and advance global LGBTQ+ equality.

HBCU Program is the only national project that partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities on establishing an LGBTQ+-inclusive campus climate.

Health & Aging provides resources and training to help thousands of healthcare facilities adopt inclusive policies and practices to better serve LGBTQ+ patients and employees.

HIV & Health Equity develops public education and capacitybuilding programs to address the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black and Latinx communities.

Religion & Faith provides faith leaders with opportunities and tools to stand up for equality even as opponents attempt to weaponize faith against LGBTQ+ people.

Transgender Justice Initiative leads economic empowerment programs, capacity-building initiatives, community engagement efforts, and public safety education campaigns that combat the discrimination faced by transgender people.

Welcoming Schools is the only bias-based bullying prevention program in the nation to provide LGBTQ+-specific training and resources with an intersectional lens, developed for use in elementary schools.

Workplace Equality advances equality for LGBTQ+ workers through the adoption and implementation of inclusive policies, practices, and benefits in the U.S. and beyond.

Youth Well-Being provides professional development to over 5,000 youth-serving professionals annually, through the annual Time to THRIVE conference, webinars, participation at major national convenings, and by amplifying the stories of HRC Youth Ambassadors. The program also convenes HRC’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council.

Congratulations to an important voice for human rights

Our sincerest appreciation to Emily Jones for her groundbreaking work in creating a welcoming corporate workplace culture at Kodak and her role in the Rochester Human Rights campaign. Emily’s efforts have truly had a lasting impact on our company and our community.

©Kodak, 2025 KODAK and the KODAK logo are trademarks of Kodak.

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