WITHOUT EXCEPTION Together we can take us higher
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Together, we can take us higher.
We can help save our LGBTQIA+ children and community from losing any more human rights in Texas.
It’s time to rise above conservative ideation and take our seat at the table. Texas needs us more than ever.
Which is only one reason we work hard all year to host this incredible dinner with all of you.
Welcome to the 2023 Human Rights Campaign Dinner. We are three musketeers this year, bringing treasure and talents to each table in this ballroom to make a difference in how we tackle the evolving discrimination focused on our community.
Help us protect transgender children and adults, educate families, concentrate on global advocacy and build stronger partnerships that will take us higher. Please thank our sponsors around you. Get to know them. Swap stories. It’s important we all unite on our mission.
Thank you to our volunteers, the HRC staff, colleagues, members, donors, and the Marriott Marquis. We appreciate your time and dedication to Human Rights Campaign Houston.
Kelley Robinson is the ninth president of the Human Rights Campaign — the first Black, Queer woman to lead the organization. The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality and liberation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. Robinson — widely respected for her work over the last 15 years creating and leading winning campaigns and programs — steps into her new role at HRC after serving as Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. From community organizer to progressive leader, Robinson has been at the forefront in the fight for bodily autonomy and racial and gender equity, with a focus on lifting up marginalized communities and building political power. Robinson will lead HRC — and its more than 3 million member advocates — as the organization fulfills its mission to realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
Cameron Samuels (they/them/theirs) graduated last year from the Katy Independent School District where they organized an initiative to distribute hundreds of banned books across Texas. Once the only student to speak at a school board meeting, receiving no applause while others viciously diminished queer identities, Samuels and peers built a student-led movement within months by packing school board meetings and filing legal action with the ACLU. The district reconsidered decisions to keep certain books on shelves and dismantled an internet filter targeting queer websites like the Trevor Project and The Human Rights Campaign. Now a student at Brandeis University, Samuels’ efforts to demonstrate youth visibility in the traditionally adult-dominated field of policymaking are ongoing in a coalition of Students Engaged in Advancing Texas.
Cassandra is an Asian-American-Canadian born in Pasadena, raised between Vancouver and Toronto and now lives in Los Angeles. She can be seen on the Multi-award winning HBO Max series Sort Of and is on her fifth year in a major role on the daytime television series General Hospital; a role that positioned her as the first trans woman in a major recurring on daytime TV. James speaks Cantonese, has been one of the faces for ABC’s Pride Month campaigns, featured in Entertainment Weekly and has been a voice for inclusiveness and awareness for the transgender and LGBTQ community within Hollywood. Her commitment to amplifying trans voices extends beyond the TV screen. She is passionate politically about the trans community and is outspoken about visibility and diversity in the entertainment community. For James, ensuring that trans, non-binary and people of color are represented truthfully—and not just in a symbolic manner—has always been her guiding principle when accepting new jobs. Her fearlessness in speaking out and giving a voice to those who aren’t often heard from has led to her breaking even more boundaries. She is represented in Los Angeles by Armada Partners and TalentWorks.
At Amazon, we’re committed to upholding a culture of inclusion and equity for our employees, customers, and neighbors.
We're proud to support HRC's work building a future that is inclusive, diverse, and accessible to all.
As seen on TBS, ABC, LOGO, and Last Comic Standing, veteran comedian Dana Goldberg is a force of nature on stage. With performances at the San Francisco International Comedy Competition, The Comedy Festival produced by TBS and HBO, and the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland; her quick wit and playful stage presence have her earning loyal fans across the country and abroad.
A crowd favorite, Goldberg has become a triple threat combining her comedy, hosting, and live auction talents to become one of the most sought after entertainers on the circuit. Voted one of the “Top Five Funniest Lesbians In America,” Curve magazine raves, “Goldberg is one of the brightest lights in a stellar comedy landscape.” Advocate.com named Goldberg one of the top three LGBT comedians in the nation.
In addition to headlining clubs, theaters and festivals around the country, Goldberg has performed at and emceed dozens of high profile events and has shared the national stage with luminaries such as President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, former President Bill Clinton, Meryl Streep, Katy Perry, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Lopez, Carol Burnett, Sir Elton John, Mariah Carey, Shonda Rhimes, and many more.
Combining her gift of humor with humanitarian efforts, Goldberg has raised over 20 million dollars for non-profits around the country in the fight for marriage equality, LGBT rights, women’s health, and HIV and AIDS education and prevention. As the youngest child in a single parent household run by a Jewish mother in which two of three kids are gay, Goldberg helps keep most of the comedy venues and half of the psychotherapists in the country in business.
For more information on Dana Goldberg visit www.danagoldberg.com
American Airlines is a longstanding partner of the Human Rights Campaign. American is a proud advocate for LGBTQ rights in the Twin Cities and beyond.
Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher represents Texas’ Seventh Congressional District in the greater Houston area.
A resident of Houston and Congressional District 7 nearly all of her life, Congresswoman Fletcher was elected to represent the district in 2018. Before her election to Congress, she represented Houstonians in the courtroom as a lawyer on a wide range of matters, starting her legal career at Vinson & Elkins in Houston and later joining boutique litigation firm AZA, where she became its first woman partner. Congresswoman Fletcher graduated from Kenyon College in Ohio in 1997, where she earned highest honors in History and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After college, she worked in the business and non-profit sectors for six years before attending William & Mary Law School in Virginia, where she was the editor-in-chief of the William and Mary Law Review.
In the 118th Congress, Congresswoman Fletcher is a member of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce, where she serves on the subcommittees on Energy, Climate, & Grid Security and Communications & Technology. During previous terms in Congress, she served on the House Committees on Transportation & Infrastructure and Science, Space, & Technology. Congresswoman Fletcher is one of twelve members of Congress appointed to serve on the Regional Leadership Council, where she works with President Biden and his administration to ensure implementation of Democrats’ legislative accomplishments across communities and throughout the country.
Active on issues important to the district’s diverse and dynamic community, Congresswoman Fletcher is a leader of key caucuses, including the New Democrat Coalition, where she Chairs its Trade Task Force; the Pro-Choice Caucus, where she serves as the Whip; and the Equality Caucus, where she is a Vice Chair.
She is also an active member of several caucuses, including the Black Maternal Health Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, the Postal Preservation Caucus, and the Task Force for Combatting Anti-Semitism. She also Co-Chairs the Flood Resilience and Adaptation Caucus and the Friends of Belgium Caucus.
Representing the energy capital of the world, she Co-Chairs the Natural Gas Caucus and is a member of the Energy Export Caucus, the Offshore Wind Caucus, the Oil and Gas Caucus, and the PORTS Caucus.
At Apple, we’re committed to using our voice to advocate for LGBTQ+ people and the freedoms they deserve. Because we believe everybody should have the right to be free from discrimination.
We proudly support the Human Rights Campaign and stand with you to build a better future.
Karen is a sought-after keynote and TEDx speaker, having spoken to small groups as well as audiences comprised of thousands. She has spoken around the United States and abroad to individuals and organizations on the topic of thriving through leadership development, the magic of creativity, the value of cultural and racial diversity and inclusion, and the power of social media. Karen has also appeared on both local and national television and other news media, including PBS, Huffington Post, CNN.com and The Oprah Winfrey Show. She has won several awards, including the YWCA Houston Outstanding Woman Award.
Finally, Karen holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Texas A&M University, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center, remaining an active member of the State Bar of Texas. All of these skills, combined with her passion for empowering others toward self-determination and leadership, helped her become one of 2016’s 40 over 40 Women to Watch, as well as one of YWCA-Houston’s 2016 Outstanding Women of the Year.
The most impactful way to support HRC 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 in 2022, invest more deeply in our grassroots efforts with strategic organizing in key districts, keep pressure to pass the Equality Act in the U.S. Senate and continue to show up and fight for the multiply marginalized in our community and country.
Thank you for supporting HRC and for staying with us in the fight. Together, we are an unstoppable force for change!
Google is proud to support The Human Rights Campaign in a shared pursuit to build a world where everyone belongs.
In a world where everyone belongs, what’s possible for everyone expands. That’s why Google is committed to building belonging at work, in our products and in society. Discover more at belonging.google
There’s a world where everyone belongs. It just has to be built.
We’ve committed $5B for a more equitable & sustainable future.
macysinc.com/purpose
Together, with incredible partners like HRC, we are committed to tackling the barriers of representation, and realize a world that achieves equality and inclusion for all. Because the history of progress shows that when people feel confident to own their story and stand in their truth, they change the narrative for everyone. At Macy’s, Inc., we’re on a mission to create a brighter future with bold representation. We call it Mission Every One.”
Jeff Gennette CHAIRMAN & CEO, MACY’S, INC.
“For more than 13 years, Macy’s has proudly supported the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and its critical work to advance the rights of the LQBTQ+ community.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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. Can we count you in?
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.
That’s
Lyft supports safer spaces, and all the humans who inhabit them.
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.
GOAL HRC MEMBER
HOST A FUNDRAISER FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY, GRADUATION, PRIDE OR MO RE
DONATE YOUR WEDDING REGISTRY
FLY A FLAG
GIV E TH E GIF T OF EQUALIT Y TODAY hrc.im/WaysToGive
GIVE A MEMBERSHIP
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!
94 %
600+
of CEI-rated employers explicitly include gender identity as a part of their non-discrimination policy.
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.
99%
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 record-breaking number of corporations achieving top marks
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.
OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES have non-discrimination protections that include gender identity, UP FROM 3% IN 2002.
OF THOSE RATED ON HRC FOUNDATION’S 2021 CEI… major employers have adopted workplace gender transition guidelines.
87%
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At Morgan Stanley, a diverse, dynamic and inclusive culture underlies the success of our company. It widens our perspective, helps our employees achieve their professional objectives and allows us to better serve our clients. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion also garners accolades that consistently recognize Morgan Stanley amongst the top places to work for minorities, women, the LGBT community and diversity overall.
To learn about career opportunities and to apply visit morganstanley.com/people
© 2020 Morgan Stanley
thanks.
ADM
ANONYMOUS
ASSURANT
AT&T
BANK OF AMERICA
BLACK TIE DINNER, INC.
BRIGHTHOUSE FINANCIAL
CARMAX
CARLSON FAMILY FOUNDATION
CENTENE CORPORATION
CERNER
CISCO SYSTEMS, INC
COCA-COLA FOUNDATION, THE COLLINGWOOD FOUNDATION
COMIC RELIEF
DANAHER FOUNDATION
DAVID BOHNETT FOUNDATION
E RHODES AND LEONA B
CARPENTER FOUNDATION
ELECTRONIC ARTS
EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY
FORTIVE FOUNDATION
GILEAD SCIENCES, INC.
GUIDEWIRE
HEYDAY FOUNDATION
HOME DEPOT
IKEA
JPMORGAN CHASE
KORS LE PERE FOUNDATION, THE KROLL
LEGO
LEVI STRAUSS & CO
LYFT, INC
MARSH & MCLENNAN AGENCY
MATCH GROUP
METLIFE FOUNDATION
MORNINGSTAR FOUNDATION, THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION NORTONLIFELOCK
OAK FOUNDATION
OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS
PEPSICO FOUNDATION, THE PFIZER
PhRMA PRONOUN PRETIUM
PVH
RAYTHEON
ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION
RUSSELL GRINNELL MEMORIAL TRUST
SEMPRA
SIRIUS XM
S&P GLOBAL
STATE FARM
T-MOBILE
TOYOTA
UNITED AIRLINES
UPS FOUNDATION
USAA
U.S. BANK
VANGUARD
VERIZON
VIIV HEALTHCARE
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY/ ESPN
WARNERMEDIA
WORKDAY FOUNDATION
ZENDESK
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.
For more information about our work, visit www.hrc.org/Foundation
As one of the few large corporations in the United States led by an openly gay CEO, Neiman Marcus Group is proud to be recognized as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality. We’re committed to our HRC Platinum-level partnership and to leading meaningful initiatives that benefit all.
Diversity is a key component at Northrop Grumman - a proud Platinum sponsor of the Human Rights Campaign.
ngc.com/diversity
Target is proud to sponsor HRC in continuing our shared mission of creating accessible and a rming spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Together, we #takepride
• Signing amici curiae in support of LGBTQ+ rights for workers
• Partnering with HRC to share stories, experiences, and resources
• Maintaining top scores on the Corporate Equality Index, the HRC Foundation’s annual scorecard assessing LGBTQ+ workplace equality, for the third year in a row
• Providing financial support to organizations promoting equality, including the National Black Justice Coalition and the Transgender Law Center
• Promoting diversity across our own ecosystem through a dedicated effort to increase gender representation on our portfolio companies’ boards
• Creating an inclusive environment through signage in our offices that encourages employees and guests to use the restroom that bests fits their gender expression
Nordstrom is honored to partner with the Human Rights Campaign in our celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community and commitment to safeguarding equal rights for all.
Whoever you are, whomever you love—we see you, we hear you and we stand with you.
At Applied Materials, our innovations Make Possible a Better Future –a future that begins with equality.
We all have ambitions. And working together, valuing each other and respecting our uniqueness creates the best environment for us to achieve them.
Our ambition is bold, to help the world get to net zero by 2050 or sooner. That’s why we value diversity and put being inclusive at the heart of how we operate. It’s also why we’re recognized as a top employer by the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.
If that sounds like a culture you would thrive in, explore bp.com/careers
We’re di�erent in di�erent ways. But the same in one. Every single one of us has a heart.
Ecolab is the global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services. We touch what is fundamental to quality of life and in all things, we do what’s right, what’s fair, what’s honest.
We’re proud to be a place where the diverse perspectives of our 45,000 associates worldwide are valued. And we’re proud to support the Human Rights Campaign.
We all have ambitions. And working together, valuing each other and respecting our uniqueness creates the best environment for us to achieve them.
Our ambition is bold, to help the world get to net zero by 2050 or sooner. That’s why we value diversity and put being inclusive at the heart of how we operate. It’s also why we’re recognized as a top employer by the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.
If that sounds like a culture you would thrive in, explore bp.com/careers
From its inception, the Human Rights Campaign has been a fundamental, proactive force raising the standards of equality and opportunity for LGBTQ individuals. Shell has long recognized that a fully inclusive workplace allows our employees and our business to flourish. That’s why we’re a longtime National Corporate Partner of the HRC.
www.shell.us/getconnected
We’ll help you decide.
We all face exciting new communication challenges: how to celebrate the return to in-person events and continue to benefit from virtual experiences.
Our teams of live event and broadcast professionals can help you reimagine audience engagement strategies for the best of both worlds. Visit millsjames.com to learn more.
Motiva is proud to support the Human Rights
Campaign and their work to create a diverse and equitable environment for ALL.
As a thought leader in the financial industry and a proud sponsor of the Human Rights Campaign, Ameriprise is committed to an inclusive, diverse environment where every voice is heard and every view, considered. It’s at the heart of our culture. And how we’re able to thoughtfully deliver value to our clients, communities and shareholders year after year.
Learn more at ameriprise.com/careers
salutes our National Partners based in the HOUSTON area.