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SUSTAINING PARTNER HOMETOWN SPONSOR
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as of 2/28/25
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as of 2/28/25
On behalf of the HRC New England Steering and Dinner Committees, we are honored to have you with us tonight.
Our theme for this evening is Together We Thrive.
Progress is not made alone. It is through unity, resilience, and collective strength that we move forward toward a future of equality and justice for all. Together, we uplift one another, celebrate our community, and push back against those who seek to divide us.
Together, We Thrive—
• When we defend our right to exist freely and authentically.
• When we support inclusive policies and reject discrimination in all its forms.
• When we amplify the voices of those most marginalized in our community.
• When we fight for accurate and affirming representation in our schools, workplaces, and government.
• When we stand hand in hand, knowing that our strength is in our unity.
Despite the challenges we face, including the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and violence against our community, we remain unwavering. The work we do tonight, and the actions we take beyond this evening, will shape the path forward.
Tonight, you will hear from inspiring advocates who embody the power of unity and resilience. Their stories remind us why we must continue this fight—because none of us can truly thrive until all of us can.
As we look toward 2025 and beyond, let’s commit to standing together, supporting one another, and ensuring that every member of our community is free to live openly, proudly, and without fear.
Thank you for being part of this movement.
Yours in Equality,
MICHELLE WEINSTEIN
ERICK HERNANDEZ
HRC New England Dinner Chairs
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 — stepped 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.
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.
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
Grace Sterling Stowell has been a pioneering activist and leader in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) youth, transgender and social justice communities for over 40 years.
As a gender non-conforming child growing up queer and transgender in the 1960’s, Grace’s personal experiences of harassment, discrimination and violence served as a catalyst for her activism in the feminist, racial justice, holistic health, and LGBTQ movements of the 1970’s.
In 1980, Grace joined the founders of the newly formed Boston Alliance of LGBTQ Youth (BAGLY), one of the earliest LGBTQ youth groups in the nation. As BAGLY’s first (and only) executive director, Grace led youth and adult leaders in its expansion from a Boston-based, all volunteer, grassroots social support group, to an established statewide non-profit organization, including the AGLY Network of Massachusetts. BAGLY’s youth-led programs were among the first of their kind, and have served as a local and national model and resource for LGBTQ youth leadership development and community organizing.
In the 1990’s, Grace was a leader in the pioneering national movement to expand community organizing, advocacy, and support for the LGBTQ youth and transgender communities. Grace was a founding member of several local and national LGBTQ youth and transgender advocacy organizations, including the National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC) for LGBTQ youth, and she is believed to be the first openly transgender person to address the health care issues of trans youth with senior staff at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA.
As executive director of BAGLY, a founding member of both the MA Commission on LGBTQ Youth and the MA Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Commission, and long time Steering Committee member of the MA Transgender Political Coalition, Grace continues to advocate for the needs of LGBTQ youth and transgender communities throughout the Commonwealth. Most recently, Grace was among the leaders of the successful effort to add gender identity to the Massachusetts non-discrimination laws in 2011, expand gender identity protections in public accommodations in 2016, and defend gender identity protections at the statewide ballot box as part of the Freedom MA Yes On 3 Campaign in 2018.
Grace is now the longest-tenured transgender executive director in the nation (and one of the few leading a non-trans-specific organization), and she has been the recipient of numerous awards for her work, including the National LGBTQ Task Force’s “Susan J. Hyde Activism Award for Longevity in the Movement” award in 2010. While Grace has served many roles in her community work over the past four decades, she remains especially honored to be known as “Mother” (and now “Grandmother!”) by three generations of LGBTQ youth.
At Apple, we’re committed to using our voice to advocate for LGBTQ+ people and the freedoms they deser ve Because we believe ever ybody should have the right to be free from discrimination.
We proudly suppor t the Human Rights Campaign and stand with you to build a better future
For nearly 50 years, BAGLY (The Boston Alliance of LGBTQ+ Youth) has been a youth-led, adult-supported social support organization, committed to social justice and creating, sustaining, and advocating for programs, policies, and services for the LGBTQ+ youth community in Massachusetts.
Since 2013, Katherine Clark has proudly represented Massachusetts’ vibrant Fifth District, which stretches from the coastal communities of Revere and Winthrop through the northern Boston suburbs to the thriving towns of MetroWest
In the fall of 2022, Clark was elected by her colleagues to serve as Democratic Whip – the second most senior position in the House Democratic Caucus. She previously served as Assistant Speaker of the House, as Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, and as a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.
One of only two women to ever serve as Whip, she currently has the distinction of being the highestranking woman in Congressional leadership.
From the school board to Capitol Hill, Clark’s public service has been fueled by a passion for lifting up women and families. She is a leading proponent for ending wage discrimination; safeguarding access to abortion; ending gun violence; improving access to affordable, quality child care; and guaranteeing paid leave.
Before her election to Congress, Clark served her community in elected office as a state senator, state representative, and member of the Melrose School Committee. She also served as general counsel for the Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services and as policy chief for the Massachusetts Attorney General.
She lives in Revere with her husband and has three children.
Google is proud to support the Human Rights Campaign in a shared pursuit of building a world where everyone belongs.
Maura Healey is the 73rd Governor of Massachusetts. In 2022, she became the state’s first woman and first openly LGBTQ person elected to the position.
In her first year as Governor, Healey has already delivered on key promises to help Massachusetts become a leader in clean energy, a more affordable and equitable place to live, and a great place for businesses to operate.
On her first day in office, Governor Healey appointed the nation’s first cabinet-level Climate Chief and created the Office of Climate Innovation & Resilience to coordinate policies across all of state government to address the climate crisis. Governor Healey has also prioritized education and workforce development with free school meals for K-12 students, cost-free community college for Massachusetts residents and career apprenticeships accessible to more students and workers. Governor Healey also delivered on her promise to make Massachusetts more affordable by cutting taxes for the first time in 20 years, including the most generous Child and Family Tax Credit in the country. Her tax cuts put money back into the pockets of families, renters, seniors and others who are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living. She filed and signed the $5 billion Affordable Homes Act, the state’s largest ever housing investment, to create tens of thousands of homes and lower costs; and the $4 billion Mass Leads Act, to invest in Massachusetts businesses, create good jobs, and keep the state’s innovation economy the best in the world.
Healey previously served two terms as Massachusetts Attorney General, first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. In her role as the People’s Lawyer, she took on difficult issues impacting Massachusetts residents, including the opioid epidemic, the climate crisis, escalating health care costs, and student loan debt. Earlier in her career, Healey was a litigation partner at an international law firm.
Healey grew up the oldest of five siblings in an old New England farmhouse. She and her siblings were raised by their mother, Tracy, who worked as a nurse at the local elementary school. Her stepfather, Edward, who later joined the family, was a teacher and local union president. He coached her high school basketball team and instilled a lifelong love of the sport. Healey attended Harvard College, where she captained the basketball team, and then spent two years as a 5’4” starting point guard on a professional basketball team in Austria.
For much of her career, she’s been the only woman in the room and has taken every opportunity to elevate other women. She is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ rights, women’s health, and women’s equality in general, especially in sports.
Governor Healey lives in Arlington, Massachusetts with her partner, Joanna Lydgate.
Lyft supports safer spaces, and all the humans who inhabit them.
That's why we've been proudly supporting the Human Rights Campaign since 2009.
macysinc.com/purpose
As a best place to work for LGBTQ+ equality, Neiman Marcus Group is proud to partner with the Human Rights Campaign. Through our HRC Platinum-level partnership and meaningful initiatives that benefit all employees, we believe when we cultivate a culture of Belonging, the world will be a better place.
pfizer.com/about/responsibility/human-rights
Target is proud to sponsor HRC in continuing our shared mission of creating inclusive and equitable spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Course is FREE
Participants are paid $500 stipend ($50/week)
For LGBTQ+ Black & Brown and trans & non-binary young adults ages 18-30
Meets weekly for 10 weeks via ZOOM
Includes resume writing and job application support
Covers computer skills and digital literacy
Helps you SET GOALS and go to the Next Level
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!
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.
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.
He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They be belong. He belongs. She belongs. They be She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. She belongs. They belong. He belongs. We are LGBTQ+. We are Salesforce. And we won’t rest until there is #EqualityForAll. You belong. You have all along.
The HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN salutes our National Partners based in the NEW ENGLAND area.
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!
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 Cox, inclusion is much more than a word. It’s at the very core of our values. We thrive on what makes us different, empowering our people, clients and communities to build a better future for the next generation. No two employees look or think the same. And we prefer it that way!
Learn how we’re united by our uniqueness at coxenterprises.com/inclusion.
Starbucks is dedicated to creating experiences and environments where everyone belongs and is respected. This includes our longstanding commitment to support and celebrate our partners (employees) including providing comprehensive benefits for part- and full-time partners, including affordable and inclusive healthcare coverage.
When we work to facilitate a diverse, inclusive workforce, we unlock our creative spirit and create the tomorrow we wish to see. For everyone.
Eastern Bank is proud to support THE
We congratulate the Youth at BAGLY and our friend Grace Sterling Stowell for their leadership in making Greater Boston safer, stronger and more inclusive.
When we foster a diverse, inclusive, and innovative culture, every employee can bring their true selves to work and feel proud to be a citizen of the Waters community. We are honored to be recognized as a best place to work for LGBTQ+ equality by the HRC Corporate Equality Index once again! Join us! Waters.com/careers
Takeda is a global, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and delivering life-transforming treatments and vaccines that have a lasting impact on society.
Since our founding in Osaka, Japan in 1781, our team has grown to include more than 80 countries and regions. Across our locations, we embrace and celebrate diversity. We strive to give patients and our people equitable access to opportunities to help achieve their full potential.
We proudly support and celebrate our LGBTQ+ employees around the world.
www.takeda.com
“Our deepest fears are like dragons guarding our deepest treasure.”
As a successful LGBTQ+ professional, you’ve had your share of victories yet you can’t rest on your laurels when you’re constantly attacked by the Hydra of internalized homophobia, imposter syndrome, and inner saboteurs.
Tired of these battles? Why fight alone?
I’m Dr. Canh Vu, a coach credentialed by the International Coaching Federation and a kind and thoughtful psychiatrist who has practiced for 20 years and has held hospital and organizational leadership positions for over a decade. Through a tailored program of coaching and Emotional Freedom Techniques* (a powerful tool for processing the past experiences that spawn self-limiting beliefs), I can help you slay the dragons of your fear and insecurity so that you can claim your deepest treasure the confidence that comes from fully knowing, completely accepting, and deeply loving yourself.
Ready to step into a future where you feel as indomitable on the inside as you are victorious on the outside? Visit figureoutforward.com to learn more or scan the QR code to get started. *EFT is available only to Massachusetts-based clients.
Rainer Maria Rilke