2025 HRC South Florida Dinner Program Book

Page 1


PROUDLY SUPPORTS THE

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

BRANDON WOLF

HRC SPEAKER

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

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

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

JENNIFER SOLOMON

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD

Jennifer Solomon (she/her) is the Parents and Families Support Manager for Equality Florida, leading the Parenting with Pride network. Based in Miami, she is a proud parent of four children, three of whom identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. While she began her career as a pediatric RN, Jennifer’s passion for advocacy has led her to what she considers her dream role at Equality Florida. Jennifer’s advocacy work includes founding and serving as president of PFLAG Miami, where she has created a supportive space for families to receive guidance, share experiences, and become allies for their loved ones. She also co-led the Miami Coalition for Queer Youth, ensuring equitable and safe educational environments for all students. From 2022 to 2024, Jennifer served as the LGBTQ+ Chair for the Miami-Dade Council of PTA/PTSA and now presides over Florida PTA’s Kaleidoscope Chapter. As an appointed member of HRC’s Parents for Transgender Equality Council, Jennifer advocates on a national level. In recognition of her impactful work, Equality Florida honored her with the 2023 Voice for Equality Award, and SAVE named her a 2023 Champion of Equality. You’ll often find Jennifer advocating at local school board meetings, the state legislature, and even Capitol Hill, passionately fighting for families like hers. By sharing her personal parenting journey, she aims to educate and empower parents, working together to create a kinder, more inclusive world for all children.

JOHNNY SIBILLY

VISIBILITY AWARD

Actor and producer Johnny Sibilly is known for his charisma, versatility, and championing of the LGBTQ+ community both on and off the screen. He most recently was seen as a series regular on Peacock’s Queer As Folk and as ‘Wilson the water cop’ in the Emmy Award winning comedy series HACKS on HBO Max. Sibilly has also graced the small screen as Costas Perez in the groundbreaking drama POSE.

Most recently Sibilly could be seen doing a major arc on ABC’s STATION 19 and on an episode of the new hit Ryan Murphy series DR. ODYSSEY.

He also hosts and produces the hit Logo series SPILL WITH JOHNNY SIBILLY. He just wrapped the fourth season of production last month.

In addition to his work in television, Sibilly is a fervent advocate for LGBTQ+ and Latinx rights, growing a considerable social following as a result of his progressive and comedic voice that includes his popular online character Julissa.

REP. MAXWELL FROST

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE

The first member of Generation Z to be elected to Congress, Maxwell Alejandro Frost is proud to represent the people of Central Florida (FL-10) in the United States House of Representatives.

As a young Member of Congress and Afro-Latino, Congressman Frost brings a fresh, progressive perspective to an institution formerly out of reach for young, working Black and Latino Americans.

Frost was adopted at birth and raised in the very community he now represents. His mother, a CubanAmerican, came to the U.S. during the freedom flights in the late 1960s and became a special needs teacher in Central Florida, inspiring his advocacy for supporting future generations through education. And his father, a full-time musician, taught Congressman Frost his love for music, gifting him his first drum set and igniting his passion for the arts.

As a former organizer, musician, and community activist, Frost was inspired to get to work at 15 years old after the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary claimed the lives of 26 innocent people. From that moment on, Frost dedicated his life to fighting against gun violence and empowering communities across Florida and the U.S. to get behind gun reform, including joining forces with those affected by the Parkland and Pulse shootings to shed light on this epidemic.

In 2016, after years of organizing and advocacy work, Frost himself became a survivor of gun violence after witnessing a shooting in downtown Orlando. The experience only further committed Frost to fight for commonsense solutions to this senseless loss of life through leadership roles at ACLU and eventually March for Our Lives, where he served as National Organizing Director.

Now, as a freshman member, Frost has been appointed to the powerful Committee on Oversight and Accountability, where he will deliver on his mission of ushering justice and transparency to Floridians while fighting against House Republicans extremist attempts to politicize the work of the committee by attacking democracy and promoting ridiculous MAGA conspiracies.

Frost will additionally use his post on the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Congressman Frost, to support Central Florida’s burgeoning status as a simulation tech hub, which employs a strong workforce across major industries in Orlando, such as aerospace, defense, healthcare, and aviation. Congressman Frost will also use his committee post to reaffirm Florida’s status as a central hub for NASA and space exploration.

In Congress, Frost is committed to representing the people of his hometown in Orlando and Central Florida and being their voice in Washington, D.C. Frost is laser-focused on working to deliver change and results on issues of housing affordability, healthcare, abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, voting rights, transportation, justice reform, climate change and more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

macysinc.com/purpose

T H E H U M A N R I G H T S

CA M PA I G N F O U N DAT I O N salutes our Foundation Partners with our heartfelt thanks.

ACLU

ADM

Albertsons

Amazon

Anonymous

Assurant

Baker Hughes

Bank of America

Bath and Body Works

Black Tie Dinner, Inc.

Bloomingdales

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Collingwood Foundation

Comic Relief

CVS Health

Danaher Foundation

David Bohnett Foundation

Enova International

Everytown for Gun Safety

Fortive Foundation

Fred Says

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Google

JPMorgan Chase Foundation

Kors Le Pere Foundation, The

Kroll

LEGO

Levi Strauss & Co.

Luminate

Lyft, Inc.

Marsh & McLennan Agency

McDonald’s

Morningstar Foundation, The

National Education Association

Neiman Marcus

Nestlé

Nike

PepsiCo Foundation, The Pfizer

PhRMA

Pretium

Pronoun

PwC

Raymond James Financial Inc.

RTX

Sempra

S&P Global

Spring Point Partners

TJX Companies

T-Mobile

Toyota

United Airlines

UPS Foundation

USAA

Vanguard

Verizon

ViiV Healthcare

Walt Disney Company

Wells Fargo Foundation

Wellspring Philanthropic Fund

Workday Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation works to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to care for their families, earn a living and live open, honest and safe lives at home, at work and in the community.

The H RC Foundation is a non-profit t ax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

For more information about our work, visit www.hrc.org/Foundation

pfizer.com/about/responsibility/human-rights

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!

THE LEXUS GX

Power on with luxury and capability to answer any invitation that comes your way. From a night out in the city with your chosen family, to a stargazing camping trip with man’s best friend, the Lexus GX is built for it all.

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

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

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

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

Sign the Pledge and Impact Change

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

Provide Inclusive Books to an At-Need Library

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

Contact State Legislators

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

Request and Show Off Your Sticker

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

Spread the Word On Social Media

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

Share a Voice Message of Support

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

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

Let Kids Play

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

Wear Your Support

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

Transgender Justice eNewsletter

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

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

TRANSGENDER INCLUSION

IN THE WORKPLACE

OF THOSE RATED ON HRC FOUNDATION’S

99%

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

94 %

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

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

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

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

of c

91%

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

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

The HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN salutes our National Partners based in the SOUTH FLORIDA area.

THANK YOU

Congratulations to David Lumbley and Scott Lohmann for planning such a successful event! Your time and dedication is admirable and we are thrilled to support you and HRC South Florida.

With love,

GIVE THE GIFT OF EQUALITY

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

GIVE A MEMBERSHIP GOAL HRC MEMBER

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

DONATE YOUR WEDDING REGISTRY

GIV E TH E GIF

FLY A FLAG

FOR HOLIDAYS & SPECIAL OCCASIO NS

DONATE IN HONOR OR ME MO RY O F SOMEONE

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

WHAT WE DO

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

ANTI-EQUALITY LEADERS AND LEGISLATION

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

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

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

ADVANCING EQUALITY IN OUR DAILY LIVES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.