Human Rights Campaign's Annual Chicago Gala
Changing Hearts, Laws and Minds
December 3, 2011
Working towards a better tomorrow requires insurmountable work today – just ask the hundreds of volunteers and the thousands of members and donors of the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization in the United States– the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The organization chose Chicago’s elegant Fairmont Hotel as its fighting ground and stage for this year’s Annual Gala in the Windy City.
The war between the haves and have-nots of equality is nothing less than intense, as the HRC – the game-changer of all nonprofits – continues to champion and defend the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered population everywhere. It began with the legendary and highly visible victory of gays in the military and culminated recently in the coup de grace – gay marriage. But there are still many battles to be fought.
Underneath enormous glistening crystal chandeliers and surrounded by the ever-so-posh maroon and gold-flocked wallpaper of the main dining room of the Fairmont on the night of the gala, hundreds of tables were arranged in perfect symmetry as the attendees were entranced by the personal stories that unfolded behind the lucite podium. Those who had been suppressed yet survived shared with us, children who had been reared by same-sex parents pleaded with us, HRC leaders instructed us, major corporate contributors reiterated their support for us, pop stars entertained us, and celebrities raised their voices for us, as gays and gay allies everywhere came together in huge numbers as a unstoppable force to be reckoned with in the fight for our own equality.
At the end of the evening, as the china was cleared, champagne flutes were taken away one by one, and the well-dressed gradually left the the building, we began to understand that our attendance equaled more than simply a gracious donation. We realized that we had become part of something bigger and better than ourselves – we had been reminded that we can make a difference, that we can impact the lives of others and do have the ability to change the future of this world. Now that is something worth celebrating!
As one of a million members of the HRC, it was during this annual dinner that I felt accounted for and responsible as a gay businessman, entrepreneur, leader, American and human being who continues to fight alongside the HRC day after day for those today and in the future who are unable to fight for themselves, and to rejoice in those who will never need to struggle again for their freedom and pursuit of happiness, no matter their sexual orientation.
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