2022 HRC Nashville Dinner Program Book by Human Rights Campaign

Human Rights Campaign Nashville Dinner Saturday, February 26, 2022

HRC in ACTION THANK YOU TO OUR LOCAL SPONSORS PLATINUM

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Welcome Welcome to the 2022 HRC Nashville Equality Dinner! We are delighted you chose to spend your weekend with us this year, as we celebrate so much growth and change in the state of Tennessee and our amazingly unique LGBTQ+ community. Tonight we come together to honor those who fight so hard for equality and support the efforts of the Human Rights Campaign across the state, the nation and the world. With the events of the past two years in our city, we hope this night brings a chance for unity, camaraderie and celebration on what we’ve accomplished and where we are going in 2022 and beyond. We hope you find a chance to meet new friends and catch up with old ones, while celebrating our diverse and welcoming city. We want you to take tonight to recharge, reconnect, and get ready to move Tennessee forward in the coming years. This legislative session has already seen unprecedented attacks on our freedom to adopt in Tennessee and sadly there are more dangerous bills in the works. Additionally, the majority of states still lack fully inclusive, non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ citizens. In response to these on-going challenges, HRC’s push for The Equality Act, which was passed by the House of Representative but stalled in the Senate, which would establish explicit, permanent protections against discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity in matters of employment, housing, access to public places, federal funding, credit, education and jury service. In addition, it would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in federal funding and access to public places. HRC’s polling both before and after the introduction of The Equality Act shows that an overwhelming number of Americans support Federal non-discrimination protections. Nevertheless we PERSIST and RESIST! We have so much to be thankful for this evening, for without the support of so many, tonight would have not been possible. We are sincerely grateful to all our amazing corporate sponsors, generous silent auction donors, dedicated table captains, hardworking volunteers, and supportive friends and family, who helped bring tonight’s events to life. We thank you immensely for your continued support year over year, as It is thanks to this support, and the hard work of our allies, that we envision true, lasting equality for our future.

All our love and gratitude,

Dakerri Rhône & Philip Heil

Equality drives innovation Equality is a powerful multiplier of innovation and growth. It inspires creativity and a sense of belonging. At Accenture we’re committed to championing a culture of equality where our people are empowered to be their best, professionally and personally. Because as equals, anything is possible. Learn more at Accenture.com/equality

Honoree CODY ALAN – VISIBILITY AWARD As TV and Radio host of country music’s most popular shows, Cody Alan is the media personality at the epicenter of Nashville. Seen on CMT’s top rated Hot 20, and heard by 8 million listeners on iHeartRadio’s After MidNite and CMT Radio Live, Cody connects country music to the country. With CMT’s reach into 70 million homes, Hot 20 is the channel’s signature music interview show with Cody going one-on-one with the biggest A-list names. After coming out in 2017, Cody has become a trailblazer in an industry with few LGBTQ voices. Named one of “Nashville’s Most Beautiful People,” Cody garnered the prestigious National Personality of the Year award in 2019 from the Country Radio Broadcasters, after twice receiving the honor from the Academy of Country Music. When not on air, Cody loves staying fit, exploring new music, enjoying sunny beaches, and spending quality time with his partner of four years, Trea Smith. Cody also stays active with his supportive family, including two children. Follow Cody for more on social media, @codyalan or at CMTcody.com.

photos by Rachael Jones (www.rachaelajones.com)

Honoree DR. BRIAN MARSHALL – EQUALITY AWARD Brian Issac Marshall was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He is a Behavioral Health Educator and Researcher, Community Organizer, Life Coach, Mentor, Civic Leader, Motivational Speaker, and an LGBTQ Youth Advocate. Brian is exceptionally passionate about building sustainable and effective programs that address health disparities and provide solutions to eradicate barriers that impact underserved youth, young adults, and families. Mr. Marshall received his Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Arts in 2008, Master’s degree in Civic Leadership from Lipscomb University in 2015, and is currently working on his Doctor of Education in Leadership and Professional Practice at Trevecca Nazarene University, expected to graduate December 2020. Brian’s career commenced in 2013 working with low socioeconomic status communities as a Case Manager at the First Response Center (Nashville) on a SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) grant. He had the pleasure of serving over 300 individuals in receiving substance abuse, mental health, housing, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services. In February of 2016, Brian became the Program Coordinator for More to Me at Oasis Center (Nashville), a federally funded Ryan White HIV/AIDS initiative focused on linkage to care, community engagement, education, and empowering LGBTQ high school students of color. In February of 2017, Mr. Marshall founded MashUp! Nashville, a 501(c)(3) organization, that works to increase the visibility of rampant health inequities and health disparities of same-gender-loving men and transwomen of color through research and social engagement. In 2018, he served as the lead Community Health Ambassador for the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Meharry Medical College, conducting research with YBMSM (young, black males who have sex with males) in Nashville, TN. He has also served as an overnight volunteer for Nashville Launch Pad, an initiative providing street free sleep to youth between the ages of 18-24. In the July/August 2018 issue of Focus Middle Tennessee Magazine, Brian Marshall was honored to land the cover story for my work in addressing health disparities for underserved populations. He was the 2019 recipient of the Nashville LGBT Chamber Community Service Award. Brian has proudly served on several community health initiatives such as the Community Advisory Board for Vanderbilt Vaccine Trials, My Voice Research Council at the Nashville Cares My House program, Neighborhood Health’s Board of Directors Quality Committee, the Mayoral appointed Nashville Regional HIV Planning Council where he currently serves as the Chair of the Needs Assessment Committee, and the Nashville Metro Health Department Ending the HIV Epidemic Equity Workgroup.

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 the Twin Cities and beyond.

SPECIAL GUESTS MAYOR RANDALL WOODFIN Mayor Randall L. Woodfin’s philosophy of “putting people first” has guided his leadership. Revitalization of the city’s 99 neighborhoods is his top priority. He is focused on enhancing education for young people, fostering a climate of economic opportunity for all residents and leveraging public-private partnerships to make the city the best version of Birmingham it can be. His vision to create new education and career opportunities for students led to the Birmingham Promise, a public-private partnership that provides apprenticeships and tuition assistance to cover college costs for Birmingham high school graduates. Mayor Woodfin led a regional effort to invest in the renovation and expansion of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex making the city an emerging destination for sports and entertainment. Through Pardons for Progress, he removed a barrier from employment opportunities and offered a second chance with the mayoral pardon of 15,000 misdemeanor marijuana possession charges dating back to 1990. He entered his second term as Birmingham’s 30th mayor on November 23, 2021. A graduate of Morehouse College and Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, he previously served as president of the Birmingham Board of Education.

MAYOR JOHN COOPER John Cooper is the ninth mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Since taking office in 2019, he has achieved some historic results for residents – including making Nashville’s teachers the best-paid in Tennessee. The financial turnaround Mayor Cooper helped engineer has enabled record neighborhood investments in schools, transportation, and parks. Meanwhile, Oracle Corporation is investing $1.2 billion and creating 8,500 jobs in Nashville; the economic development project is unrivaled in the state’s history. After adopting a Metro Transportation Plan for the first time, Nashville now has a local Department of Transportation, dedicated entirely to pedestrian safety, neighborhood infrastructure improvements, and better traffic management. The city has more than tripled its affordable housing resources, including a first-ever Metro Housing Division. Nashville is co-leading a private-public partnership to construct 100 megawatts of local, utility-scale solar power. Meanwhile, the mayor’s latest capital spending plan creates 60-plus acres of public green space– including a city park in one of the last districts that still has none. John Cooper served as an At-Large Member of Metro Council from 2015 to 2019. He brings more than 30 years of business and financial experience in retail, banking, and real estate to his leadership. He is the founder of The Heritage at Brentwood, a large, continuing-care senior living community, and Happy ReTales, a volunteer-directed, pet products retail store where all profits benefit animal rescue. Mayor Cooper holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a master’s degree in business from Vanderbilt University. He was born in Nashville and raised in Shelbyville. He and his wife, former Constitutional law professor Laura Fitzgerald Cooper, have three teenage sons and three dogs. They attend Christ Church Cathedral.

Everybody. 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.

SPECIAL GUESTS KELSEA BALLERINI For the past five years — or more accurately, ever since she first exploded onto the country music scene with “Love Me Like You Mean It,” her 2015 chart-topping debut single — Kelsea Ballerini has moved through life at a feverish pace. “I’m programmed to be all about, ‘What’s next? What can I be better at? How can I think outside of the box?” the Grammy-nominated singer says looking back. “I think that’s always how I’ve been. Because I’m super driven. But,” Ballerini concedes, “that can make it hard to be in the moment.” In fact, only in recent times has one of music’s most vibrant stars found the necessary breathing room to ease off the gas, return home to Tennessee, and take stock of the roller coaster ride that’s been her life this past half-decade. “And now, personally, I feel like I’m in the healthiest spot I’ve been in in a long time,” says Ballerini, who less than one year after releasing her debut LP, 2015’s The First Time, became the first new female artist to see her first three singles debut at the top of the country charts with hit songs including “Dibs” and “Peter Pan.” “I’ve been down with getting to know myself. Just mentally and emotionally,” she offers. “I’ve been able to be a better friend and a daughter and a wife. And it’s been really amazing. Because it’s really good when you have a minute to breath. And then you’re like, ‘Cool. This has been fun. Now let’s go!’” Most importantly, for her creative soul and her ever-growing legion of rabid fans, finding that inner calm has resulted in Ballerini crafting some of the most personal, poignant and admittedly vulnerable music of her already-monumental career. An introspective look into the emotions of the last two years of her life, Ballerini holds forth via some of her most poignant songs on all matters of social anxiety (“Club”), the importance of true friendships, nostalgia for her hometown and childhood (“Half of My Hometown”), love (“Bragger”), and continuing to use songwriting as therapy. To hear her tell it, discovering who exactly she is right now as a wildly succesful 26- year-old recording artist, but also a friend, daughter and, as of 2017, a wife to fellow country singer Morgan Evans, has only resulted in Ballerini inserting herself into her music like never before. “Now it’s time to get deeper,” she says. To that end, the first taste of this new and ever-more reflective Ballerini is “homecoming queen?,” the debut single from the singer’s forthcoming new album which follows 2017’s critically acclaimed Unapologetically. “It has my hands all over it,” Ballerini says of the plaintive, heart-wrenching ballad (co-written with Nicolle Galyon and Jimmy Robbins) that topples the façade we so often hide behind. “I’ve never been this vulnerable in a single before or put out a song with a message like this before,” Ballerini insists. And while the homecoming queen in the song is indeed a metaphor for so many different things in life, Ballerini sees it as an apt one for a society fixated on projecting a perfect existence. “I think it relates so well to now in our society — especially young girls but really for everybody,” Ballerini says of her new single. On social media, for example, she admits, “I often feel like I have to put forward my best-filtered, perfect and completely-together, successful self. But that attitude has become a really toxic thing for people. I’ve learned there’s something really awesome about being honest. Because no matter what you’re seeing, everyone is human, and we all go through ups and downs. Being able to be genuinely happy and celebrate when things are good and also be able to cry and have a safe place to go to when they aren’t...that matters.” Having long been an obsessive music fan herself, and therefore understanding how it feels to connect so deeply with a particular artist, Ballerini felt she’d be doing both her fans – and, in many ways, her younger self – a disservice if she wasn’t the most honest and authentic version of herself. “I can’t make records and talk about ‘Be yourself. Be proud of who you are. Be authentic,’ and then not be that myself,” Ballerini concedes. “So that was the most important thing for me to do.” Still, while she’s digging into her feelings in a major way, as longtime listeners of Ballerini know quite well, she’s long had a soft spot for hook-heavy jams.

“I of course also love the happy free, quirky side of me,” says the singer who in addition to seeing success with Unapologetically singles including the Number One “Legends” and “Miss Me More,” last year took the pop-music world by storm when she featured on the Chainsmokers smash single “This Feeling,” which she performed with the duo this year at Lollapalooza as well as the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. “I love a good bop. I always will,” Ballerini adds. “I love performing them. I’ll always write those.” In fact, she says it’s always been a point of pride to look beyond the confines of genre when writing and releasing music. “It’s less about the lines of the genre and more about the song,” she explains. “Because I have a massive respect for country music, and I consider myself country, but I also listen to pop and I also listen to rap.” Quite simply, the singer says she’s forever about expanding her own musical horizons and seeing where she might land. “I honestly just want to try different things,” she declares, “and explore my songwriting and my artistry in ways that excite me.” That included allowing the songs to drive the production and sonic personality of the entire record which found her following up her Chainsmokers collaboration by recruiting iconic artists including her hometown hero Kenny Chesney for “half of my hometown,” which she calls “a dream,” as well as her close friend Halsey for the moody and angsty yet extremely empowered “the other girl.” Ballerini also worked with several different producers in addition to co-producing every song on the album. And her collaborative spirit extended to her songwriting as well: in addition to “Nashville royalty,” including Shane McAnally, Hillary Lindsay, and Ashley Gorley, Ballerini also wrote with some of pop’s biggest names such as Ed Sheehan (“love and hate”), Julia Michaels (“needy”), and Tayla Parx (“overshare”). What else is motivating Ballerini these days? The process of perfecting her already electrifying live show. Having recently wrapped her “Miss Me More” arena tour in 2019, an outing she calls “the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever gotten to do,” Ballerini says she’s looking ahead to crafting an even more dynamic live show that connects her with her audience in new and thrilling ways. “I’m still always eager to learn,” she says. “Because I think it’s cool when you can create this mood and this energy for people to feed off of where you’re having this really special magical moment with each other.” For now, Ballerini is feeling nothing short of grateful for what lies ahead.

DANA GOLDBERG 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.

SPECIAL PERFORMER

SHEA DIAMOND

“The struggle looks different for different people. But this music is for everyone.” So testifies Shea Diamond, who, with a gritty mix of sounds that digs into everything from R&B, rock and hiphop to blues, folk and gospel, makes music that speaks to the universal experience while sharing from her very personal one. Shea (pronounced she-uh) has always had to fight to live her truth. Indeed, she has fought to live her very she-ness. As a black transgender woman, that’s just what she does every time she walks out into the world-representing herself and amplifying the voices and experiences of her community. But now after all of her struggle, this game-changing new singer-songwriter is living her dream with Seen It All, her soulful and soulbaring debut EP (Asylum Records) that was executive-produced by hit songwriter Justin Tranter. On Seen It All, Shea bravely tells her truth to a world that hasn’t always wanted to really see her. “I’m the flame that you can’t un-see,” she announces with unapologetic honesty on the haunting opener “American Pie.” The guitar-greased centerpiece of Seen It All is “I Am Her,” an empowering trans anthem on which Shea defiantly belts, “Never asked for no one’s philosophy/It’s obvious I’m proud of me.” “It is a compilation of my life experiences,” she explains. “It speaks on the rejection from religion, the rejection from family, and having to be all right by yourself, you know what I mean? After the world has shunned you and said, ‘Look, we don’t want you,’ you have to want yourself. I contemplated suicide several times as a youth because nobody wanted me.” Shea—who was born in Little Rock, Arkansas before moving to Memphis and then Flint, Michigan as a child— says that “as early as I can remember, I always identified as being a girl. It was hard work to pretend to be a gender that you’re not. I should have gotten an Oscar, really. I had so much pressure on me as child to be masculine. Even when I was the choir director for our church, my mother would still whisper in my ear that I was singing too high. Growing up trans takes a lot of guts.” Shea was unable to cope with the pressures at home and ran away at 14. Entering the foster care system as a ward of the state, she eventually became emancipated at 17. Then in 1999, desperate to get money for sex reassignment surgery, she committed armed robbery and consequently served about 10 years in the men’s prison system, getting shuffled around “because I was too feminine.” During her incarceration, though, she found her voice as an artist, singing and writing songs like “I Am Her.” Shea’s fellow inmates even became fans: “The guys used to be singing ‘I Am Her.’” After being released in November 2009, Shea moved to New York City and was introduced to the trans activism world. It was her a cappella performance of “I Am Her” at a Black Trans Lives Matter event that caught the attention of Justin Tranter, the former leader singer of Semi Precious Weapons who is now a sought-after songwriter for artists like Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber and Gwen Stefani. Shea immediately impressed Tranter with her talent. “Not only does this woman have a very beautiful, powerful story to tell, she can back it up as a musician. Vocally, her tone is magical; it’s so rich and so beautiful. Every time she opens her mouth to sing, you believe every word. And in terms of songwriting, she’s a real storyteller.”

PROUDLY SUPPORTS THE HRC

HRC in ACTION 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-LGBTQ+ 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! Join Now

Cocktails in every color for every identity. It’s time to COLOR THE FUTURE.

Join Smirnoff in support for the LGBTQIA+ community, and toast to a more colorful and inclusive future for all!

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. SMIRNOFF NO. 21 VODKA. DISTILLED FROM GRAIN. 40% ALC/VOL. THE SMIRNOFF CO., NEW YORK, NY

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.

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

Spread the Word On Social Media

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.

Speak Out

Request A Sticker

Contact State Legislators

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.

Download Now

Count Me In

Provide Inclusive Books to an At-Need Library

Share a Voice Message of Support

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

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.

Donate Now

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

Let Kids Play

Wear Your Support

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.

Meet Rebekah

Visit HRC.org/Shop

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. Subscribe Now

Can we count you in? www.hrc.org/CountMeIn

Proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re struggling in the closet, or marching in the streets, your experience matters. Google is proud to join HRC in amplifying the voices of all LGBTQ+ people. Visit: pride.google

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.

GOAL

HOST A FUNDRAISER

HRC MEMBER

FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY, GRADUATION, PRIDE OR MORE...

DONATE YOUR WEDDING REGISTRY

FLY A FLAG

GIVE THE GIFT OF EQUALITY TODAY hrc.im/WaysToGive

GIVE A MEMBERSHIP FOR HOLIDAYS & SPECIAL OCCASIONS

DONATE IN HONOR OR MEMORY OF 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!

TRANSGENDER

INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE

OF THOSE RATED ON HRC FOUNDATION’S 2021 CEI…

99%

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.

94 % 600+

OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES

have non-discrimination protections that include gender identity,

UP FROM 3% IN 2002.

major employers have adopted workplace gender transition guidelines.

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.

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.

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

That’s

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.

BUILDING AND DEMONSTRATING POLITICAL POWER

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. Updated 10-26-2021

Celebrating Pride+Joy every day

We stand with the Human Rights Campaign in our commitment to respect, equality & inclusion for all. These values continue to guide us in everything we do—now more than ever as Platinum National Partners.

THANK YOU

THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION salutes our Foundation Partners with our heartfelt thanks. Airbnb

Morningstar Foundation, The

Anonymous

National Education Association

AT&T

Open Society Foundations

Black Tie Dinner, Inc.

Pfizer

Carlson Family Foundation

PhRMA

Cisco Systems, Inc.

PVH

Collingwood Foundation

Rockefeller Foundation

Danaher Foundation

Russell Grinnell Memorial Trust

David Bohnett Foundation

SiriusXM

E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation

S&P Foundation

Electronic Arts E SP N Gilead Sciences, Inc. Google Gucci America Guidewire IKEA Kors Le Pere Foundation, The Levi Strauss & Co. Match.com MetLife Foundation

State Farm T-Mobile Toyota UPS Foundation USAA U.S. Bank Vanguard Group Foundation Verizon ViiV Healthcare Walt Disney Company, The WarnerMedia

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 Current as of February 10, 2022.

We must do the work. Real progress on diversity and inclusion doesn't happen without real work. Our determination to drive sustainable change, grounds us in the ways we can make the systemic shifts necessary to create a more inclusive industry for all. Microsoft continues to be a proud sponsor of the Human Rights Campaign.

THE COMFORT OF BEING YOU

Custom designed for you, with you. Collaborate with one of our designers and we’ll build your dream furniture by hand in our North Carolina factory. Start today and work with us in stores, online, in-home or by virtual appointment. mgbwhome.com/design-services.html

Morgan Stanley is a Proud National Corporate Partner of the

Human Rights Campaign 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

On your side Through our shared values with the Human Rights Campaign and a long-standing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, Nationwide® continues to advocate for LGBTQ equality. Together, we can create change for a better world.

nationwide.com/diversity

We believe that creating a team and a workplace that values diversity, embraces equity and fosters inclusion is pivotal to promoting innovation and increasing productivity and profitability. Our goal is to continually support and nurture the large number of Northrop Grumman employees whose backgrounds, characteristics and perspectives are as diverse as the global communities in which we reside. Diversity is a key component at Northrop Grumman. We are proud to be a sponsor of the Human Rights Campaign.

ngc.com /diversity

We all bring our own backgrounds and our own strength. That’s what makes our work special. Be a part of it. We are proud to support the mission of The Human Rights Campaign. pfizercareers.com

Pride Prideisispower power

When people can bebe themselves, When people can themselves,they theycan cando doanything. anything.That’s That’swhy whywe we provide anan environment where everyone provide environment where everyonefeels feelssafe, safe,included includedand andproud proud —and why wewe support the Human —and why support the HumanRights RightsCampaign. Campaign. RTX.com/diversity RTX.com/diversity

Target is proud to sponsor HRC in continuing our shared mission of creating accessible and affirming spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community. Together, we #takepride

Underwriting Equality Through Action: • 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

Be Brilliant. Together. Inclusive cultures can embrace individuality and give voice to a broad range of perspectives. Because nothing outshines authenticity. See with diversity, equity and inclusion powers deloitte.com/us/inclusion

At PayPal, we believe every person has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, without fear of discrimination for being who they are. We are proud to work with partners like Human Rights Campaign to advocate for non-discriminatory legislation and to fight for fairness, equality and inclusion.

For us to be us, you need to be you. 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!

Grey Hardy, Cox Enterprises

INCLUSION & DIVERSITY AT

2021

Make your mark.

Opportunity for all. When we work to facilitate a diverse, inclusive workforce, we unlock our creative spirit and create the tomorrow we wish to see. For everyone.

Furthering Human Progress Through Technology Our core purpose is to further human progress through technology, and nowhere is this opportunity more apparent than amid the 4th Industrial Revolution. We believe humanity is always at its best when it produces innovative technologies that advance the ways we live and work. In support of this purpose, our mission is to deliver amazing customer experiences with networking, cloud and security solutions that power next-gen business applications. We aim to democratize complex and cutting-edge technologies and deliver simple solutions, so our customers can focus on innovation, not their IT. Our philosophy of continuous improvement means we tirelessly pursue exceptional outcomes for our customers, partners and team. And we do all this while boldly embracing change with a daring spirit to excite and inspire our customers to imagine new possibilities.

Join our amazing team. Be you at Lumen.

jobs.lumen.com

@LumenTech

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DRIVING FORWARD WITH PRIDE. Fun-filled thrills start with your chosen family. Nissan proudly supports you and the spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community. Together, let’s ride into a more diverse and inclusive future. #PartnersOfProgress

2022 Nissan Rogue.

Elite-Brentwood Reporting Services is celebrating 30 years of providing trusted, reliable court reporting, legal videography, and superior litigation support services statewide across Tennessee and the Mid-South. Our clients have come to know us for our professionalism, reliability, and quality, trusting us with the most complex cases. Each of our offices provide you with the best registered and certified court reporters, including real-time, legal video, and trial presentation specialists. Add to that our superior video conferencing facilities and Elite-Brentwood is your one-stop for court reporting and litigation support services across Tennessee and beyond. Max Curry, B.C.R., RPR. LCR, CRI. CCR Owner/Senior Real-Time Court Reporter National Court Reporters Association Past President Nashville: 615-595-0073 Memphis: 901-522-4477 Knoxville: 865-329-9919 Chattanooga: 423-266-2332 Jackson: 731-425-1222 Toll Free: 888-991-DEPO elitereportingservices.com

wallerlaw.com

Proud to support the Human Rights Campaign.

stand out, stand proud HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

No r d s t ro m is p ro u d t o p a r t n e r w it h t he Hu m a n Ri g h t s C a m p a i g n i n o u r c e l e b r a t i o n o f t h e LGBTQIA+ community and commitment to securing equal rights for all. Whoever you are and whomever you love, w e s e e y o u , w e s u p p o r t yo u a n d w e st a n d w it h yo u .

HCA Healthcare and TriStar Health are committed to creating a healthier, more equitable tomorrow. We are proud to support the Human Rights Campaign and its Nashville Equality Dinner.

HCAhealthcare.com

THANK YOU

for supporting the Human Rights Campaign